Beach Lifeguard; TEMPORARY

General Statement of Job

Provides protection of life on county beaches, basic life support assistance on an emergency basis for the care and treatment of sick and injured person(s), and assists with enforcement of safety rules and regulations.

• Observes and supervises the activities of the public; monitors marine and weather conditions; identifies potential dangers and takes effective action.
• Initiates or assists with the rescue of patrons on the beach and/or in the water; administers first aid or lifesaving techniques as indicated; provides basic life support care and treatment of sick and injured persons; uses rescue equipment; dispatches emergency vehicles.
• Hoists and lowers swimming safety flags; rotates signage as required.
• Displays skill in swimming and rescuing endangered persons in the ocean.
• Participates in the care and upkeep of assigned equipment.
• Assists with enforcement of Beach Safety rules, including state and local laws.
• Assists with control of scene and non‑injured parties.
• Maintains log of daily procedures and completes reports and forms associated with patient care.
• Maintains adequate level of consumable supplies; restocks as needed.
• Attends training sessions; maintains all required certifications and forwards copies to the Beach Safety and Training Supervisor.
• Responds to basic public inquiries and directs concerns to the appropriate authority.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Education, Training, and

Experience:

High school diploma or GED required or must be obtained within 6 months of hire. Must be at least 18 years of age.

Licenses and/or

Certifications:

Requires a valid driver license. Requires a valid United States Lifesaving Association or equivalent lifeguard training and CPR certification or must be obtained within 60 days of hire. Florida registered EMT preferred.

Pay Rate: The starting hourly rate for those who have not completed US Lifeguard Association certification (or an equivalent) is $22.50 per hour. After completion of lifeguard and CPR training, pay rate increases to $23.00 per hour. If a lifeguard is also EMT certified, their pay rate will increase to $23.50 per hour. A former Okaloosa County Beach Lifeguard will be rehired at their previous hourly rate or $23.50 per hour, whichever is greater.

If the rehired lifeguard is EMT certified, their rate will be $24.00 per hour.

Must be able to exert force exceeding 100 pounds occasionally, 50 pounds frequently, or 25 pounds constantly to move objects, and have the ability to position self in confined areas or overhead work. Must be able to traverse irregular, uneven terrain frequently and handle physical tasks requiring bending, lifting, or moving objects. Must remain alert and perform rigorous physical activity for long periods under adverse weather conditions.

Must be able to see and hear sufficiently to identify and rescue troubled swimmers within a designated swimming area.

Requires the ability to read policy manuals, work orders, logs, and technical data; to speak with clarity, voice control, and confidence; to prepare written reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

Requires the ability to apply principles of emergency medicine and common sense to execute detailed written or oral instructions, solve problems, make independent judgments, and acquire knowledge related to the primary occupation.

Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate percentages and decimals.

Requires the ability to interact with people beyond receiving instructions, perform under moderate to high stress, and exercise consistent tact and courtesy when in frequent contact with professionals, county staff, and the general public.