Student Lifeguard (Seasonal) at City of Del Mar – Del Mar, California

The City of Del Mar is seeking qualified candidates for the Student Lifeguard position, with strong ocean and customer service skills, initiative, and enthusiasm. This position is part of the Lifeguard Division within the City's Community Services Department. In order to be eligible for this position, candidates must first pass a performance test/interview process and complete the City of Del Mar's Lifeguard Academy. Under direct supervision by a Lifeguard I or above, patrols City beaches, parks and ocean waters to ensure proactive and expeditious accident prevention and response; responds to City beach and water-related accidents and emergencies; enforces compliance with state and local laws, including beach ordinances; maintains lifesaving and other related equipment and facilities; and performs related duties as assigned. The Lifeguard Division of the Community Services Department will conduct a mandatory performance test and interview process on Saturday, March 22, 2025, beginning at 8:00 a.m. 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 the detailed information about the tryouts and required Lifeguard Academy in the supplemental information section of this posting.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

Ability to assist Lifeguards I-III class staff with the following:

• Observation of beach from lifeguard tower, vehicles, and boats.
• Assist with ocean rescues of waders, swimmers, surfers, or other, utilizing swimming and/or rescue board.
• Assist with first aids, including CPR and other first responder care.
• Provide assistance with dissemination of weather, ocean, and other information to the public.
• Provide assistance with enforcement of city ordinances.
• Cleans, services maintains and makes minor repairs to vehicles, boats, and equipment, and participates in the daily upkeep of facilities and grounds.
• Participates in educational courses and training in lifeguarding techniques and equipment, medical aid and a variety of other subjects related to lifeguarding; studies and learns local ocean, surf, weather, beach and environmental conditions; studies and learns departmental operations and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 16 years of age by June 1, 2025.
• Ability to pass a performance test that includes a 200m-800m-200m Run-Swim-Run; 800 meter paddleboard race; and 800 meter run.
• Strong ocean knowledge
• Customer service skills
• Mandatory attendance at an 100-hour Lifeguard Academy (More information below)

Knowledge of:

• Ocean, weather, surf, beach and environmental conditions;
• First aid practices, terminology and techniques;
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation practices, terminology and techniques;
• Practices, terminology and techniques to operate general lifeguard and rescue equipment, such as radio equipment and paddleboards;
• Municipal codes and ordinances regarding use of beaches and parks;
• Applicable federal and state laws, including state boating laws.

Ability to:

• Alertly observe and analyze public safety situations and determine appropriate course of action.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Interpret, apply and explain applicable laws, codes and ordinances.
• Apply medical care at the basic life support level; prepare and maintain clear, concise and accurate documentation.
• Utilize sound, independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Remain calm, make sound decisions and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
• Maintain personal physical endurance and agility.

Training and Experience:

No direct ocean lifeguarding experience is required. However, a typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities, to best prepare a candidate for this position is through participation in a junior lifeguard program.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this class, an employee is frequently required to run, swim, paddle and walk long distances; stand and sit for long periods; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear both in person from close and long distances and by phone or radio; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate lifesaving equipment; and drive a vehicle. The employee regularly lifts, pushes or pulls persons or equipment over 100 pounds. Specific vision requirements of this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades; depth perception, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; observe and interpret people and situations; analyze and solve problems; perform work on multiple, concurrent tasks with constant interruptions; work under intensive pressure and deadlines; interact with the public, management and representatives of other governmental agencies and deal with distressed, dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee regularly works under outdoor weather conditions, is routinely exposed to the sun, may be exposed to extreme heat or cold; works on uneven and/or slippery surfaces and is periodically exposed to hazardous conditions/situations.

Performance Test Information

The Lifeguard Division of the Community Services Department will conduct a mandatory performance test and interview process on March 22, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. The testing will be held at 1700 Coast Blvd, Del Mar at the Beach Safety Center. In order to participate in the testing/interview process, you must have submitted an employment application and waiver prior to the start of the testing. Here is a link to the waiver on the City's website: https://www.delmar.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/6309/Lifeguard-Waiver-2020 Waivers may be submitted via email to HR@delmar.ca.us or in-person at the Beach Safety Center on March 22nd. The performance test will include a 200m-800m-200m Run-Swim-Run; 800 meter paddleboard race; and 800 meter run. Candidates that pass the performance test will be invited to stay and participate in an interview process.

What to bring on test day:

1. warm clothes

2. swimsuit

3. wetsuit (if desired)

4. towel

5. clothes for the oral interview

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

Volunteer Workouts Information Volunteer (optional) workouts will be held on: March 1, 9, & 15 10:00am-11:30am at the Del Mar Beach Safety Center, located at 1700 Coast Blvd.

Lifeguard Academy Information: The Academy will take place over the course of six (6) weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) beginning on May 2, 2025. Friday classes will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday classes will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Class dates are May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, & June 1. This mandatory academy totals 100+ hours. Academy curriculum will include Emergency Responder First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and all lifeguard training.

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

Pre-Employment Screening Post-employment offer, candidates will be required to pass a Department of Justice Live Scan finger printing and a pre-employment physical to ensure the candidate meets United States Lifeguard Association Health and Fitness standards and the physical requirements of the Student Lifeguard position. USLA Health & Fitness Standards include adequate vision, hearing acuity, physical ability and stamina to perform the duties of an open water lifeguard as documented by a medical doctor, or the doctor's designated physician's assistant.