Recreation Aid & Assistant (Surf-Lifeguard) (Seasonal)

These positions serve as Recreation Aids/ Recreation Technicians (Surf Lifeguard) with the Gateway National Recreation Area. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is May - September, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: August 2026 All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

MAJOR DUTIES: GS-03: Under guidance of a surf-lifeguard supervisor, lead or authorized designate, the incumbent will acquire proficiency in the performance of the following tasks: surveillance of activities of park visitors recreating on the beach; maintain lifeguard equipment; monitor weather, tide, ocean current and other related conditions; rescue swimmers in distress; provide urgent first-aid. You must be able to pass the surf-lifeguard test. Candidates must pass all parts of the test - includes the following: Swim 550 yards continuously in less than 10 minutes using a swimming stroke performed on the front only; and Run 1.25 miles continuously in less than 12 minutes. All applicants will be tested upon entry on duty. GS-04: Maintain vigilant surveillance of the activities of park visitors who are not only recreating in the ocean, but also at the water's edge. Maintain oneself, and also one's equipment, in a state of constant readiness, to be able to respond-very literally at a moment's notice-to life-threatening, on-the-job emergencies. Use surf-lifeguarding techniques that focus first and foremost on incident prevention rather than on incident intervention. Monitor weather, tide, ocean current, and related conditions that may not only affect the safety of those recreating in the ocean, but also at the water's edge. Warn park visitors about actions or conditions that are unsafe both in the ocean and on the beach. Rescue, alone or with others, swimmers in distress or in danger of drowning using a rescue-flotation device, rescue board, ocean kayak, surfboat, or motorized craft. Provide urgent first-aid care, including basic life support and CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), and the use of oxygen and automated external defibrillator (AED) equipment. You must be able to pass the surf-lifeguard test. Candidates must pass all parts of the test - includes the following: Swim 550 yards continuously in less than 10 minutes using a swimming stroke performed on the front only; and Run 1.25 miles continuously in less than 12 minutes. All applicants will be tested upon entry on duty. GS-05: These positions involve performing or leading work concerned with protecting the public against preventable danger and drowning death in the waters officially designated for swimming at a crowded and extended surf-beach seashore area. This work typically involves preventive surf-life guarding; rescuing, either individually or as a member of a team, persons in distress or in danger of drowning; administering urgent first-aid care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; controlling usually large crowds; operating and maintaining rescue equipment and enforcing agency regulations. Required to be able to work outdoors for long periods of time. You must be able to pass the surf-lifeguard test. Candidates must pass all parts of the test - includes the following: Swim 550 yards continuously in less than 10 minutes using a swimming stroke performed on the front only; and Run 1.25 miles continuously in less than 12 minutes. All applicants will be tested upon entry on duty. Physical Demands: The work requires speed and endurance capacity both of them very demonstrably above average so as to be able to do the following, back-to-back and at full throttle (as described, above, under Factor 4 Complexity, Entry 1). The lack of such speed and endurance capacity can lead to consequences that are literally irrevocable. To guard against that happening, the incumbent, together with all other members of this park's surf-lifeguard staff GS 03 thru GS 07, inclusive, participates in the following mandatory, supervisor-conducted and -documented, physical conditioning and skills- proficiency training regimen for the entire period of employment: Run 1.25 miles in less than 12 minutes. (Two times weekly); Participate in a simulated ocean-rescue drill. (Once weekly); Review urgent-care and CPR / AED procedures. (Once weekly). The aim of this ongoing training regimen is to assure that the incumbent-like all other surf-lifeguard staff maintains a minimum performance level that increases the likelihood of success in meeting the demanding challenges singular to surf-lifeguard work: In a word, then, this ongoing and rigorous training seeks to make very real the phrase, "At the ready." You must be able to lift 50 pounds. Working Conditions: The work environment involves potentially high risks (e.g., those associated with long-term exposure to the sun, the risk of marine-animal attack, the risk of inadvertently being pinned under a 300-pound surf boat in the attempt to beach it, etc. The foregoing representative sample of potentially high risks associated with surf-lifeguard work requires the incumbent and, likewise, all other surf-lifeguard staff to take prudent precautions to eliminate, or to at least very significantly minimize, the job- related risks in question.

U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program. Government housing may be available for Sandy Hook, NJ only Pre-Employment physical examination will be required prior to enter on duty at applicant's expense. Current valid nationally recognized CPR/AED course-completion certificate required prior to enter on duty.