LAKE LIFEGUARD, PARKS AND RECREATION (Recurrent)

Position/Program Information

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

FILING BEGINS: May 28, 2026 @ 8:00am (PT)

The application filing period will begin on May 28, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Continuous. We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

EXAM NUMBER: D2948K

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: We welcome applications from everyone

SALARY: $29.83 - $31.49 Hourly

Why work for us?

With more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California, over 116,000 employees in more than 38 Departments, we provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, cultural activities and many more.

We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. The County has more than 2,300 different job descriptions, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We offer a comprehensive benefits package. Join us and discover a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

Essential Job Functions

• Opens lifeguard tower at beginning of shift and checks equipment such as rescue cans, radio, first aid box, resuscitator, oxygen and face masks; reports malfunctions to the lead lifeguard or supervisor.
• Conducts continuous surveillance of assigned beach area for signs of swimmers in trouble and violations of lake ordinances and safety regulations.
• Administers first aid to victims of water-related injuries or ill patrons suffering from heart attacks, seizures, heat exhaustion, broken bones or lacerations; releases seriously injured victims to senior lifeguards or advanced medical personnel.
• Maintains log book by entering information regarding rescues, first aid rendered and other unusual events; writes a narrative account of major incidents.
• Enforces lake ordinances and rules prohibiting such activities as use of illegal flotation devices and swimming in restricted areas; reports other incidents such as capsized boats, violations of boating regulations, drinking alcoholic beverages or fights to the senior lifeguard, supervisor or patrol boat operator.
• Effects rescues in the lake using rescue can or board; using department approved techniques, secures and swims victims to shore.
• Serves as crew of a patrol boat and operates the boat to maintain position when senior lifeguard goes aboard another vessel or onto docks.
• Acts as observer while on boat patrol, looking for such things as distressed or speeding boats, violations of safety regulations, and dangerous debris in the lake.
• Performs operational check of the boat daily, checks oil and gas level, refuels boat when necessary; checks boat gear such as fire extinguishers, first aid equipment, and radio; reports malfunctions to senior lifeguard.
• Responds as crew member to such incidents as burning, capsized, or sinking boats; operates fire fighting and pumping equipment, attaches tow lines and swims to effect rescues.
• Drives and services the lifeguard truck including adding oil, water and gas, washing and checking first aid equipment.
• Observes parking, dock, and launch areas for instances of unacceptable activity such as speeding boats, unsafe launches, illegal parking, or drinking alcoholic beverages; issues warnings for minor offenses and may issue citations in cases of repeated or serious offenses.
• Instructs boat owners in proper procedure for launching boats and assists them in launching and retrieving operations to protect the boats from damage or swamping.
• Engages in the physical fitness program established by the department in order to maintain capability to perform lake lifesaving duties.

Requirements

Requirements to Qualify

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Applicants should be able to ability to swim 1000 meters within 18 minutes or less.
• Successful completion of the 2026 County-approved Lake Lifeguard training academy*, including authorized lifesaving, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, will be required.

LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License is required to carry out job-related functions. **

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
* A certificate of completion from the 2026 County-approved lake lifeguard training academy* is required. This certificate is issued by LA County Parks and Recreation. Applicants must also include a copy of a valid California Class C Driver License** when applying or Applicants who are unable to attach required documents to their application may scan and email documents as an attachment to sking @parks.lacounty.gov .within seven (7) calendar days.

PHYSICAL CLASS:
4 - Arduous. This class involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working above ground on irregular surfaces. It includes those positions that occasionally demand extraordinary physical activity such as those in Safety positions.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Incumbents must have the physical strength, stamina and swimming skills to effect rescues in rough lake water conditions.

Vision :
At least 20/30 in each eye without correction.

Hearing :
There may be no greater than a 25 dB loss in the better ear as averaged over the test frequencies of 500, 1000, and 3000 Hz. There may not be a peak loss at any of the test frequencies greater than:
30 dB at 500 Hz
30 dB at 1000 Hz
40 dB at 2000 Hz
40 dB at 3000 Hz

There may be no greater than a 35 dB loss in the worse ear as averaged over the test frequencies, and no peak loss greater than 45 dB at any of the test frequencies. In the case of a questionable, unusual, or borderline hearing loss, the applicant's record will be reviewed by the Occupational Health Service Consultant in otolaryngology who will make a recommendation as to the applicant's employability and forward it to the Medical Director for final disposition.

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT:
This examination, weighted 100%, will consist of successful completion of the 2026 Los Angeles County Lake Lifeguard training academy, including authorized lifesaving, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Proof of the certification is required to be placed on the Eligible Register.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:
PRE-PLACEMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION:
Employment is subject to passing a medical examination which will be scheduled after security clearance for candidates who receive contingent offers of employment.

Drug Test: Applicants for this position will be required to take and pass a urine drug screening as part of the pre-placement medical examination

ELIGIBILITY AND VACANCY INFORMATION:
Applicants who passed the assessment(s) are placed on a register in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the register accordingly. We will use this register to fill vacancies in the Department of Parks and Recreation as they occur.

Available Shift: Any

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:


We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.

We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.

We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.

• info@governmentjobs.com
• sking@parks.lacounty.gov

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to government jobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

For those who do not have access to a computer or the internet, we provide access to complete an application at public libraries throughout the county.

All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's login information may erase a candidate's original application record.

Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI):

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.


Department Contact Name: Sharon King
Department Contact Number: (626) 612-1282
Department Contact Email: sking@parks.lacounty.gov
ADA Coordinator Phone: (626) 588-5109
Teletype Phone: (213) 427-6118
California Relay Services Phone: (800)735-2922



For detailed information, please click here

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• Los Angeles County

• (800) 970-5478

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