JOB SUMMARY: The primary goals of the lifeguard operation are to prevent drowning within the designated lifeguard area, to provide appropriate medical care to ill and injured visitors and to respond appropriately to incidents outside of the lifeguard area. The position serves as a Surf Lifeguard at one of two protected beach units. The purpose of the position is to provide protection to visitors and to the resources. The incumbent may be located in either district of Assateague Island National Seashore. MAJOR DUTIES: - Oversees district lifeguard operations two days a week or in the absence of the head lifeguard, ensuring staff adherence to standards and protocols while developing work assignments and training initiatives. - Supervises park visitors, enforces safety regulations, performs ocean rescues, and provides medical care at the emergency medical responder level. - Coordinates search and rescue operations and operates off-road vehicles (ATVs) in emergency response, while inspecting beach areas and reporting deficiencies. - Educates visitors on laws, surf hazards, and park policies, conducting interpretive presentations on beach safety and human/wildlife interactions. - Manages lifeguard equipment inspections, submits documentation for lost items, and maintains statistical records of beach operations and incidents. - Assists with pre- and post-season beach activities, including equipment maintenance, sign posting, and organizing the lifeguard office, ensuring all equipment is ready for use. Physical Demands: The duties affiliated with this position are considered rigorous; as such, the incumbent will be required to meet prescribed medical standards prior to employment in accordance with RM-57. The work requires daily strenuous physical exertion including running ½ mile or more with heavy rescue equipment, swimming long distances against currents and strong surf with heavy victims in tow and lifting and carrying heavy persons through large breaking waves. The incumbent will be using various rescue devices such as rescue fins, rescue kayaks and rescue paddleboards in the ocean surf zone environment where they may be paddling, swimming, and kayaking long distances through large breaking waves to execute effective rescues. The employee is required to exhibit an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye or a best corrected (contact lenses or spectacles) visual acuity of 20/20 or better. The work of the employee regularly includes long periods of sitting, standing, and running over uneven terrain. The employee will also be driving ATVs in adverse weather conditions. The duties of the position require daily running and swimming and the employee must meet the prescribed physical requirements as measured by a timed swim of 500 yards in less than 10 minutes and a run of 1.25 miles in 12 minutes or less. Strenuous exertion is required in search and rescue operations. Working Conditions: While some work may be performed in an office setting, most of the work is performed outdoors where the incumbent can be subjected to weather variances such as extreme heat or cold, rainy conditions, and high UV indexes, cold water temperatures, large waves, and marine organisms. The employee can be exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations in emergency response, requiring the use of a wide range of personal protective gear. Emergency operations will require entry into hazardous environments, exposure to dangerous persons, animals, substances, and potential exposure to infectious diseases. The terrain can be uneven and consists of soft or hard packed sand mixed with seashells and other debris. This is an open continuous announcement, in which applications are collected over several months, and have multiple cut-off dates. Applications will be considered throughout the open period of the announcement. INITIAL CUT OFF IS Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Additional referral certificates will be issued when a hiring official exhausts current certificate and/or additional vacancies need to be filled. Government Housing may be available. Please contact the hiring manager(s) for availability. IMPORTANT: Click the 'Apply for this job' button to view a complete job description.
