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Waterfront Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

Foth is seeking a Lead Waterfront/Marine Structural Engineer to serve as the technical lead and designer on a variety of waterfront and coastal engineering projects. This role involves supporting the ...

Housekeeper

East Providence, RI ยท On-site

$14 - $18.25/hr

The housekeeper follows the philosophies and values of Tockwotton on the Waterfront and promotes a person-centered, resident-directed culture. This position may include some evening and weekend hours.

Waterfront/Coastal Engineer

Newport, RI ยท On-site

$79K - $108K/yr

Description Your role at GEI. GEI's Ithaca, NY office is seeking a mid-level Water Resource Engineer/Planner. Under supervision of senior staff, this individual will provide support to ongoing field ...

Waterfront/Coastal Engineer

Newport, RI ยท Hybrid

$100K - $140K/yr

Description Your role at GEI. GEI's Ithaca, NY office is seeking a mid-level Water Resource Engineer/Planner. Under supervision of senior staff, this individual will provide support to ongoing field ...

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Showing results 1-20

Waterfront information

See Rhode Island salary details

$13.7K

$60.5K

$140.5K

How much do waterfront jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for waterfront in Rhode Island is $60,486.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,200.00 and $89,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a waterfront?

A waterfront job involves working in roles related to the maintenance, safety, and operations of ports, marinas, docks, or other water-based facilities. Responsibilities can vary from managing boat traffic and maintaining docks to ensuring water safety and enforcing regulations. These jobs are commonly found in government agencies, private marinas, and tourism industries.

What are the typical responsibilities of a waterfront staff member during a workday?

Waterfront staff are responsible for monitoring swimmers, enforcing safety regulations, providing first aid when necessary, and maintaining the cleanliness and organization of waterfront areas. They often lead or assist with water-based activities such as boating, swimming lessons, or group recreation, depending on the facility. Collaboration with other staff and clear communication with participants are also key components of the job. These responsibilities ensure a safe, well-managed environment that allows guests to enjoy the waterfront while minimizing risks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the waterfront position, and why are they important?

To excel in a Waterfront role, you need practical knowledge of water safety, emergency procedures, and recreational program supervision, often supported by lifeguard certification (such as Red Cross or YMCA). Familiarity with safety equipment, rescue techniques, and incident reporting systems is commonly required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills are essential for managing group activities and responding to emergencies effectively. These abilities ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants while maintaining a secure waterfront environment.

What is a waterfront job?

A waterfront job involves working in environments near bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or oceans. Common roles include dock workers, boat captains, marine technicians, and lifeguards, often requiring safety training and physical stamina. These jobs typically involve tasks related to transportation, maintenance, safety, and recreation on or around the water.

What are the most commonly searched types of Waterfront jobs in Rhode Island?

The most popular types of Waterfront jobs in Rhode Island are:

Infographic showing various Waterfront job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 6% Temporary. Highlights an 88% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,486 per year, or $29.1 per hour.

Aquatics Supervisor- Waterfront

Greater Providence YMCA

Warwick, RI โ€ข On-site

$21/hr

Temporary

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Position summary: Under the direction of the Camp Director, the Waterfront Director is responsible for planning, implementing, and supervising safe and appropriate swimming and boating programs at camp. He/she ensures that the YMCA Progressive Swimming Program and YMCA Guidelines are used in directing the overall camp aquatic program.

Reports To: Aquatics Director

YMCA of Greater Providence Team Standards:

1. Know our mission and be able to tell our story. The mission of the YMCA of Greater Providence is to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all, through programs, services and relationships that are based on our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

2. Honor your colleagues by being on time, present and fully engaged at all times.

3. If you disagree, propose a solution.

4. Be accountable for results.

5. A commitment to valuing and acting as one YMCA as evidenced by referring to ourselves as employees of the YMCA of Greater Providence.

6. Display leadership that requires not only skill, but energy, passion, optimism and creativity.

7. Build open and honest communication. Face to face, or voice to voice, is the preferred method of communication with email being for information sharing only.

8. Deliver exceptional service that is of high value. Build a positive staff team. Be friendly.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. For the supervision of all waterfront guards, including scheduling, approving time‐off, staff discipline and ensuring that all staff are properly certified and trained.

2. To plan and implement a safe waterfront program, including instructional and/or recreational swimming, boating, canoeing, as well as other appropriate water activities for campers and staff.

3. To train the camp staff and to assign them specific responsibilities to carry out during their group’s participation in the waterfront program.

4. To evaluate waterfront staff periodically during the season and, again, at the end of the summer.

5. To perform regular in‐service training for all camp waterfront staff in accordance with YMCA standards.

6. Oversee testing and classification of the swimming ability of campers and staff.

7. To utilize the staff’s abilities to the best advantage in carrying out the waterfront program in swimming, lifesaving, and boating.

8. To regularly report on the operation of the waterfront area to the Aquatics Director and Camp Director.

9. Work in cooperation with the Aquatics Director and Camp Director and all camp staff in order to coordinate waterfront activities.

10. To maintain camp waterfront equipment in good repair in accordance with DEM requirements for waterfronts.

11. Oversee the opening and closing of the camp waterfronts. Including regular cleaning and maintenance such as raking and removing trash from the waterfront at the beginning and end of the day.

12. Responsible for weekly (or bi‐weekly) water quality testing as dictated by the State of Rhode Island Beach Monitoring Program.

13. To develop and implement waterfront special events and to assist with family nights, as required.

14. To help assemble the waterfront docking system before the camp season begins and to dismantle and store the system on the beach (at least thirty feet from water) on the last day of camp. To abide by policies, rules, and regulations set down by the YMCA of Greater Providence and the camp.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Mature individual with pleasant but firm personality.

2. Previous experience required

3. Certification in various levels of swimming instruction preferred.

4. Must be 21 years old

Education & Experience: High School (GED) preferred

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, License & Certifications:

1. Must possess current YMCA Lifeguard Certification

2. Must possess current Rhode Island State Non‐Surf and/or Surf Lifeguard Certification

3. CPR/AED

4. O2 Administration

5. First Aid All certifications must be renewed in a timely manner in accordance with general YMCA policies and based on American Camp Association standards.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position has exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens and the incumbent should be educated and prepared on the same. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.