Beach Lifeguard (TEMPORARY)

Salary: $23.00 Hourly
Location : Beach Safety - Fort Walton Beach, FL
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number: 26-002
Department: Public Safety
Opening Date: 04/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

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.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
• 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, to include 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience: High school diploma or GED required or must obtain 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.

The starting hourly rate for those who have not completed US Lifeguard Association certification (or an equivalent) is $22.50 hourly. After the completion of lifeguard and CPR training, pay rate will increase to $23.00 per hour. If a lifeguard is also EMT certified, their pay rate will increase to 23.50. If a certified lifeguard is hired, their starting pay will be either $23.00 per hour or $23.50 if they are also EMT certified. 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
OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Physical Requirements: Must be able to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, or in excess of 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Requires the ability to position self for work in confined areas or work overhead. Must be able to traverse irregular, erratically moving or uneven terrain frequently. Requires the ability to bend downward and forward by bending spine at the waist and by bending legs and spine; requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles. Must be able to bend legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s); and position requires the ability to reach, extending hand(s) in any direction. This position requires the ability to move about on hands, knees, and feet. Must be able to handle, seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with hand(s) and/or arm. This position requires the ability remain alert and perform rigorous physical activity for long periods of time, with little rest and under adverse weather conditions. Must be able to work for sustained periods of exposure to outside atmospheric conditions. Must be able to see and hear sufficiently to identify and rescue troubled swimmers within a designated swimming area. Physical demands are in excess sedentary work.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of policy and procedure manuals, work orders, logs, technical data, etc. Must be able to speak with clarity, voice control and confidence and to articulate information to others. Must be able to prepare written reports, using appropriate format, punctuation, spelling and grammar.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of emergency medicine and common sense understanding to carry out detailed and involved written or oral instructions; to deal with problems involving variables in or from standardized situations; to make independent judgments in the absence of supervisor; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Numerical Aptitude: Must be able to add and subtract totals, multiply and divide, calculate percentages and decimals.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be able to perform under moderate to high levels of stress-when-confronted with an emergency or a tight deadline. Requires the ability to exercise consistent tact and courtesy when in frequent contact with various professionals, county staff, and the general public.
01

Do you have, or could you obtain within 6 months of hire, at least a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Please indicate the number of years of experience you have as a lifeguard.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• At least 1 year but less than 2 years
• At least 2 years but less than 4 years
• At least 4 years but less than 6 years
• 6 years or more

03

Do you currently possess, or could you obtain within 60 days of hire, a valid United States Lifesaving Association or equivalent lifeguard training certification?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you currently possess, or could you obtain within 60 days of hire, CPR certification?

• Yes, I currently possess CPR certification.
• No, I do not possess CPR certification but CAN obtain within 60 days of hire.
• No, I do not possess CPR certification and CANNOT obtain within 60 days of hire.

05

Are you a Florida registered EMT?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess a valid driver license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question