Student Lifeguard; Seasonal

Overview

The Lifeguard Division of the Community Services Department will conduct a mandatory performance test and interview process on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. The test will take place at the Beach Safety Center, 1700 Coast Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014.

All applicants must submit an application and sign a participation waiver prior to testing. Interested candidates should review detailed information about the tryouts and the required Lifeguard Academy in the supplemental information section of this posting.

• 16 years of age by June 1, 2026.
• Ability to pass a performance test that includes a 200m-800m-200m Run‑Swim‑Run, an 800‑meter paddleboard race, and an 800‑meter run.
• Strong ocean knowledge.
• Customer service skills.
• Mandatory attendance at a 100‑hour Lifeguard Academy.

The test will include the Run‑Swim‑Run sequence and the paddleboard race. Candidates that pass the test will be invited to an interview process. In order to participate, the applicant must have submitted an employment application and a waiver before the test begins.

Waiver and application forms are available on the City’s website:  Waivers may also be submitted via email to  or in‑person at the Beach Safety Center on March 21, 2026.

• Warm clothes.
• Swimsuit.
• Wetsuit (if desired).
• Towel.
• Clothes for oral interview.
• Identification to verify age.

No fins or other swimming aids may be worn during the physical agility or swim test. Other testing methods may be used if deemed necessary.

Optional volunteer workouts will be held on March 1, 7, and 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Del Mar Beach Safety Center, 1700 Coast Blvd.

The Academy will take place over six weekends, beginning May 1, 2026. Friday classes run from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.;
Saturday and Sunday classes run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The mandatory academy totals over 100 hours and covers Emergency Responder First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and all lifeguard training.

For further information regarding testing and the Lifeguard Academy, call Mark Rathsam or Tyler Grant at (858) 755‑1556. For questions about job requirements and hiring, contact Denise Galvan in Administrative Services at  or (858) 704‑3657.

After a job offer, candidates must pass a Department of Justice Live Scan fingerprinting and a pre‑employment physical to ensure they meet United States Lifeguard Association Health & Fitness standards and the physical requirements of the Student Lifeguard position.