Ocean Lifeguard

Beach Lifeguard

The purpose of this classification is to protect lives by overseeing and ensuring the safety of visitors to the beach. Position works four (4) days a week at ten (10) hours a day, and may require working on weekends.

The following duties and functions, as outlined herein, are intended to be representative of the type of tasks performed within this classification. They are not listed in any order of importance. The omission of specific statements of the duties or functions does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Oversees the activities of visitors to the beach; supervises swimmers in area; takes preventive safety actions; provides emergency first aid; performs CPR; makes rescues; contacts appropriate medical or emergency personnel when necessary; assists boaters in distress. Sets up and breaks down lifeguard tower; evaluates and informs public of ocean conditions. Observes ocean conditions. Swims in rough water and strong surf to assist swimmers and make rescues as needed. Provides emergency first aid. Utilizes basic life support equipment including bag valve masks, suction units, and automated external defibrillators; performs CPR. Operates rescue boards, rescue buoys, rescue boats, and other rescue equipment as needed. Assists in locating missing persons. Provides information; answers patrons' questions. Maintains high level of physical fitness level through completion of mandatory workouts. Maintains training in medical rescues. Prepares incident reports. Additional functions keep beach free of dangerous debris. Assists in maintaining equipment. Helps injured wildlife. Answers the telephone. Performs other related duties as required.

High school diploma or valid equivalent; and two (2) months previous experience involving lifeguard training; must possess and maintain certification as a professional lifeguard; and must possess and maintain a CPR Certification from American Heart Association BLS or American Red Cross CPR for Professional Rescuers; must attain Emergency Medical Response Certification or higher level of certification (EMT or Paramedic) within the first year of hire; and must possess [or be able to obtain within fourteen (14) days of hire] and maintain a valid State of Florida driver's license.

Effectively communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, contractors, engineers, companies, vendors, outside agencies, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems. Accurately and expeditiously receives and delivers messages and information to the appropriate individuals. Ability to prepare accurate and thorough written records and reports. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervisory direction. Ability to understand and quickly and accurately follow brief oral and written instructions on moderately complex matters. Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with supervisor, customers, other employees, other departments, other governmental and regulatory agencies, and the general public. Ability to compile, assemble, copy, record and / or transcribe data according to a prescribed schema or plan. Ability to discern whether readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics are similar to or divergent from prescribed standards, procedures or routines. Ability to provide guidance, assistance, and / or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations. Ability to safely and appropriately operate and monitor the functioning of equipment, machinery, tools, and / or materials used in performing essential functions. Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information. Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form. Ability to carry out semi-routine standardized work with some latitude for independent judgment concerning choices of action. Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

Tasks require the regular and sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that generally involves lifting, carrying, pushing, and / or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials; occasionally heavier items (100 pounds and over). Tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.