Description
The City of Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department is seeking skilled and motivated individuals with a passion for public safety to fill the position of Recurrent Hourly Lifeguard (Part-Time). The Position: Under general supervision, the position of Recurrent Hourly Lifeguard participates in marine and other related emergencies; makes rescues and prevents marine accidents; patrols beaches with the overall goal of providing protection to life, limb and property; provides responsible staffing assistance to his or her assigned supervisor.
Reports to/Supervises : Reports to a Marine Safety Captain, Lieutenant or Marine Safety Officer. Provides technical assistance to subordinate personnel. This position is subject to both on-call and 24-hour call-back.
Application/Selection Process: Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, with the next review date to be determined, if needed. Applications will be screened carefully and selected candidates will undergo an oral interview. The appointing hiring authority will further review the job-related qualifications of those deemed eligible for hire before making selection decisions.
Pre-Placement Process: Selected candidates must successfully pass a thorough police b ackground check (including a polygraph examination), a fingerprint check with the State Department of Justice, and a pre-placement physical including a drug test.
Examples of Duties
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Participates in and assumes control of rescues, first aids and aquatic emergencies until relieved by a supervisor, including ocean, river/flood channel, lake, cliff and/or scuba rescue/recovery operations and back country extrication
- Enforces municipal ordinances as well as California Fish and Game codes and Harbor and Navigation regulations
- Provides educational information to the public; prevents accidents and drownings through public contacts; maintains daily activity log and completes reports
- Operates specialized lifesaving equipment and administers emergency medical treatment at an Emergency Medical Technician I level
- Assures maintenance of departmental equipment, facilities and supplies; performs related duties as required
- Informs bathers and boaters of hazardous ocean conditions; removes dangerous objects from ocean and surf line
- Under the direction of full-time staff, the Recurrent Hourly Lifeguard works with employees to correct deficiencies in ocean rescue and lifeguard techniques
- Briefs subordinate personnel concerning conditions; gives direction to subordinates in marine safety operations, basic oceanography and marine science
- Works weekend and holiday shifts as assigned and is subject to 24 hour call-back
Qualifications
Any combination demonstrating the ability to effectively and successfully perform the duties of the position is considered qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:
Education : Successful completion of high school; a two or four year college or university degree is preferred.
Experience : Minimum of three (3) seasonal years (1,560 hours) with at least one (1) year (520 hours) in a supervisory role as an ocean lifeguard.
License/Certificate Requirements : Due to the performance of some field duties which may require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid California Driver’s license and an acceptable driving record are required. Advanced United State Lifesaving Association Certification; National, State, or County valid Emergency Medical Technician I certification and Health Care Provider CPR and AED certification. NAUI or PADI scuba certification.
The following must be obtained within 18 months of employment :
NAUI advanced diver certification, California State Peace Officer certification, PC 832, river/flood rescue certification from an accredited agency (awareness level); Completion of California State Fire Marshall Courses ICS 200, 300, Rescue Systems I and Hazardous Materials Operational. Must obtain a Rescue Water Craft Certification.
Supplemental Information
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of modern, open-water lifesaving techniques; equipment and apparatus used in ocean lifesaving operations including emergency rescue response vehicle operations; Appropriate Basic Life Support and EMT protocols; principles and practices of advanced underwater search and recovery techniques and advanced diving physics; procedures of record keeping; principles of basic report preparation; principles and practices in dealing with the public; municipal ordinances, California Harbor and Navigation regulations and California Fish & Game Codes; specialized lifesaving equipment and public relations skills.
Ability to: Swim, paddle and make rescues in adverse weather and surf conditions; assess emergencies and adopt effective courses of action within the Incident Command System; use compass and navigational aids; operate four wheel emergency rescue response vehicles; perform underwater search and recovery operations; learn, interpret, apply and enforce the policies, procedures, laws, ordinances and regulations dealing with the enforcement of municipal and marine law and the City Department and division policies and procedures; maintain and prepare accurate and complete narrative reports from personal observations and information provided by others, using correct English spelling and grammar; use a computer for word processing, record keeping and other routine duties; speak clearly and understand and carry out written and verbal instructions, operate standard office equipment, learn and understand pertinent procedures and functions quickly and perform without immediate supervision using appropriate judgment; remain calm and courteous under pressure, accept responsibility and accountability for the performance of duties and maintain effective, professional, courteous and cooperative working relationships with those encountered in the performance of duties.
Physical, Mental and Environmental Working Conditions : Must be able to pass bi-annual physical fitness standards along with swimming 1,000 meters in under twenty minutes in the annual open ocean re-qualification swim; physical demands require bending, stooping, and safely moving, lifting, and dragging upwards of 150 pounds unaided; must have vision correctable to 20/20, functional color vision, and normal hearing.
Duties and responsibilities are carried out in a beach and ocean environment involving prolonged exposure to cold weather, water and sun. The employee may be exposed to hazardous materials and communicable diseases. Must have the physical strength, endurance and ability required for: swimming, paddling, running, walking, standing or sitting for extend periods of time; operating assigned motorized equipment, vehicles and vessels.
The incumbent must also be able to bend at the neck and waist, squat, climb, and twist at the neck and waist; engage in repetitive use of hands for simple to power grasping, must be able to use hands for fine manipulations, pushing, pulling and reaching above and below shoulder level; reach, twist, lean, operate a computer keyboard for a prolonged or intermittent period of time, lift files and reports from counter tops or file drawers. The operation of a personal computer requires finger and wrist dexterity and the ability to withstand exposure to vibration, pitch and glare from a computer.
Laguna Beach: With seven miles of City beaches and towering hills with captivating Pacific views, Laguna Beach residents enjoy some of the most stunning landscapes in Southern California. The
City of Laguna Beach hosts millions of visitors to its world-famous arts festivals and beautiful beaches. Services provided to its resident population of approximately 24,000 include police, fire, marine safety, recreation, parks, public works, community development, parking, transit and animal control.
The Department: The City of Laguna Beach, Department of Marine Safety protects over six million beach visitors along five-and-a-half miles of the City's coastline. Every day of the year, lifeguards ensure safety and provide customer service to the visitors on the beach, boardwalk, and in the ocean. The Marine Safety Department provides the City of Laguna Beach with the highest level of lifeguarding services and is recognized as an Advanced Agency by the United States Lifesaving Association.
LAGUNA BEACH MARINE SAFETY ASSOCIATION (LBMSA) Pay Plan: The basic pay ranges are composed of eight (8) steps.
Overtime/Compensatory Time: All unit employees shall be compensated at a rate of time and one-half for all hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per workweek.
Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards may request compensatory time off subject to approval by the appointing authority. They may accumulate a maximum of eight (8) hours of compensatory time at the employee’s option. An additional sixteen (16) hours of compensatory time may accumulate with management approval. Use of compensatory time is subject to management approval on a request-by-request basis.
Special Pay: All unit employees shall receive a pay advance of two pay steps and 5% of their base pay for obtaining their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
Equipment Allowance: Effective the pay period that includes July 1 of each year all unit employees shall be paid an amount of $250.00 for necessary, self-procured equipment, including sunglasses, mask, snorkel, fins, binoculars, and a jacket.
Retirement: The City shall deduct 3.75% of the gross pay from eligible unit employees’ bi-weekly paychecks and contribute such amount to the Public Agency Retirement System (“PARS”) accounts of all said eligible “Seasonal Ocean Lifeguards,” or to another qualified retirement program that has been agreed upon by the parties and is applicable to “Seasonal Ocean Lifeguards.” Additionally, the City shall contribute the equivalent of 3.75% of unit employees’ gross pay into eligible unit employees’ PARS accounts.
For Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards only, the City shall contribute the equivalent of 7.5% of unit employees’ gross pay into the eligible employees’ PARS accounts, or to another qualified retirement program that has been agreed upon by the parties and is applicable to Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards.
Deferred Compensation Plan: All Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards will be eligible to make voluntary contributions to one of the City’s 457(b) deferred compensation plans.
Health: For Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards only , medical coverage will be provided as follows: The City will pay the full cost of the HMO plan rate for employee only; family coverage will be offered at full cost to employee.
Part-time unit members who qualify for medical coverage under the Affordable Care Act will be offered access to the City’s HMO plan. Eligible employees who elect coverage under the City’s plan shall pay the entire premium amount, with no contribution from the City.
Flexible Spending Plan for Recurrent Hourly Lifeguards: Each January, the City will deposit a lump sum amount of five hundred dollars ($500) into a flexible spending plan for each Recurrent Hourly Lifeguard to use for eligible IRS 125 expenses (medical, prescription, dental, vision).
Skin Cancer Screenings: Annual skin cancer screening examinations shall be provided to all unit employees at a facility selected by City. Unit employees who are screened off duty will be paid one (1) hour of compensation.
Sick Leave: Effective July 1 of each year, employees are granted 3 days or 24 hours, whichever is greater. In October of each year, employees will be granted one additional sick day or 8 hours of sick leave, whichever is greater, above the statutory paid sick leave. Employees may carry over accrued sick days to the following year, with a maximum cap of 6 days or 48 hours, whichever is greater. Accrued sick leave will be restored if an employee separates from the City but returns within 12 months.
