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Job Description
Position/Program Information
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CAPTAIN LAKE LIFEGUARD SERVICES
(Retitling effective 1/13/26)
We will be accepting online applications from December 23, 2025, at 8:00 am (PT) until January 23, 2026, at 5:00pm (PT)
Applications must be received BEFORE 5:00pm (PT) on 1/23/26, to be accepted.
Exam Number: D2950J
RECRUITMENT TYPE
We encourage applications from everyone.
WITHHOLD INFORMATION:
No withholds will be allowed for this examination. Required experience must be fully met and indicated on the application by the last day of filing.
OUT-OF -CLASS EXPERIENCE:
No out-of-class experience will be accepted for this examination.
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 the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country. 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.
About the job:
Positions allocable to this class work under the administrative and technical supervision of the Lake Aquatics Manager. Incumbents provide administrative and technical supervision to lake lifeguards and senior lake lifeguards assigned to boat patrol and shoreline duties on a year-round basis. Staff members ensure accurate staffing, rule enforcement, and staff proficiency levels per standards. In addition to the knowledge and skills of lower-level classes, positions in this class must exercise a knowledge of personnel practices, supervisory principles, and departmental policies, procedures, and services in order to ensure the effective performance of subordinates.
Essential Job Functions
Inspects boat patrols, beach area, equipment, and personnel on duty; reviews reports and logs; notes deficiencies and directs that corrections be made.
Evaluates subordinate staff and prepares performance evaluations; submits these for review of superiors and counsels staff as to their level of performance; resolves first level grievances.
Determines staff training needs; directs senior lake lifeguards to conduct on-the-job training in specific subjects; may conduct training in subjects such as boat operation, ordinance interpretation, or SCUBA diving.
Determines area personnel and equipment needs, submits requests to aquatics manager for approval; stations lifeguard staff to work locations on a weekly and daily basis according to approved schedule and anticipated weather and crowd projections; monitors expenditures in order to stay within allocated resources.
Responds to emergencies within the area and assumes command from senior lake lifeguard; directs and participates in rescues and the administration of first aid; directs crowd control measures pending the arrival of departmental patrol staff or general law enforcement officers.
Engages in the physical fitness program established by the department in order to maintain sufficient capability to perform lake lifesaving duties.
Requirements
REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:
One year of experience as a lead lake, river, or ocean lifeguard at the level of Senior Lake Lifeguard, providing technical direction to lifeguards, including experience operating an inboard engine rescue boat.
Please review the class specification for Senior Lake Lifeguard link below: LAKE LIFEGUARD SPECIALIST (Retitling effective 1/13/26)
Class Specifications | SENIOR LAKE LIFEGUARD, PARKS AND RECREATION | Class Spec Details
LICENSE:
Certification in open-water lifesaving** from an agency authorized under the California Code Regulations, Health and Safety, Title 22, State First Aid Standards for Public Safety Personnel.
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
EMT-1 Certificate of Completion***
PHYSICAL CLASS:
4 - Arduous -F requent 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.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
* At the level of: You may still qualify even if your job title isn’t exactly the same as the ones listed. What matters is that your experience is at a similar level - meaning your job involves similar responsibilities, requires comparable skills and knowledge, and takes place within a similar organizational structure. Please provide a clear explanation of your experience to demonstrate that it is at the appropriate level.
**In order to receive credit for possessing Certification in open-water lifesaving you must include a legible copy of the certificate at the time of filing or within 10 business days from the filing end date. If the certificate is not uploaded with the application, please submit it as an attachment to sking@parks.lacounty.gov with the Subject "SLLG Open Water Cert" and indicate your full name, the exam name, and the exam number in the body of the e-mail. We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam Analyst.
***In order to receive credit for possessing an EMT-1 Certificate of completion, you must include a legible copy of the certificate at the time of filing or within 10 business days from the filing end date. If the certificate is not uploaded with the application, please submit it as an attachment to sking@parks.lacounty.gov with the Subject "SLLG EMT-1 Cert" and indicate your full name, the exam name, and the exam number in the body of the e-mail. We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam Analyst.
Additional Information
EXAMINATION CONTENT:
This examination will consist of a structured interview. This assessment will evaluate supervision, training, budget allocation, and scheduling.
The assessment is weighted 100% of your total score. Applicant MUST meet the requirements AND achieve the passing score of 70% or higher to be placed on the eligible list.
Eligibility information:
Candidates who pass the assessment are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months.
VACANCY INFORMATION:
The list of successful candidates created from this exam will be used to fill vacancies at Castaic Lake, Bonelli Park and Santa Fe Dam located in Los Angeles County.
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.
sking@parks.lacounty.gov
info@governmentjobs.com
noreply@governmentjobs.com
Note: All notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. Test scores cannot be given over the telephone.
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 governmentjobs.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 dedicated to advancing efforts that promote equality and inclusivity by addressing disparities among different races. 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) 588-5111
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
Closing Date/Time: 1/23/2026 5:00 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Los Angeles County
Show moreStart Your Career with Los Angeles County
With a population of more than 10 million people and 88 cities, Los Angeles County has more residents than any county in the nation.
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 100,000 employees in more than 36 Departments provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, cultural activities and many more.
As one of the Top 10 Government Services Employers, as named by Forbes Magazine, the County of Los Angeles provides those committed to a career in public service with boundless opportunities, a platform for professional and personal growth and the ability to truly make a difference in people's lives.
A career with the County means you will have the chance to be a part of building and providing services for an amazingly diverse population of citizens. From helping families in need to fighting fires to keeping our beaches clean, the County of Los Angeles provides an environment where you can touch and enrich lives everyday.
A career path in the County is truly that – a path. Many of those in our County family begin and end their careers here in two very different places. You may start out as an Administrative Assistant in Public Works and find yourself a few years later as a Manager in the Department of Community and Senior Services. While many County employees remain on the same career path in one department for their entire careers, others move between departments or take advantage of training and other opportunities to find new careers within the County.
The path you take is up to you. As a Los Angeles County employee, the opportunities – and the possibilities - are limitless.
Flexible Work Schedules
Depending on the requirements of their department and position, some employees may have the option to craft a work schedule that accomplishes their mission, while providing flexibility, including 4/40 workweeks and other options.
Your Choice of Locations
From the harbor at Marina del Rey to the forests of the Antelope Valley, big cities, small municipalities and rural communities – there are opportunities to work for the County wherever you roam and wherever you call home.
Job Security
The County of Los Angeles is committed to providing our permanent employees with long-term employment and dependable benefits. It's a lasting career with an employer who is committed to your success.
Career Development
The County encourages all employees to take advantage of the many training and development opportunities available.
Outstanding Benefits
The County offers its employees one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the nation.
Diversity
Integrity and respect lie at the heart of our Equity Policy and reflect our Mission, Vision, and Values.
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