PLEASE UPLOAD SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, LICENSES, ETC. DURING STEP 2 OF THE APPLICATION UNDER OTHER DOCUMENTS!!!

THE LAST DAY TO APPLY IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Lifeguard is responsible for ensuring the safety of patrons in and around aquatic environments by actively monitoring conditions, enforcing facility rules, and responding quickly to emergencies. This position provides preventive supervision to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in aquatic settings which may include pools, waterparks, beaches, or other natural bodies of water. The Lifeguard performs rescues, administers first aid and CPR/AED when necessary, and works collaboratively with team members to maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for all visitors. This role requires constant vigilance, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to respond effectively in emergency situations while delivering professional customer service.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Lifeguards do not directly supervise personnel, but should be a role model to all staff that may be assigned to work with.

ALLOCATION OF POSITIONS
This series classification includes Lifeguards (Aquatic Center) and Lifeguards (Aquatic Center and Ocean Rescue). Both levels perform the same essential duties with Lifeguard (Aquatic Center and Ocean Rescue) expected to fulfill Ocean Rescue responsibilities. Lifeguards are expected to use their expertise to contribute to the achievement of the District’s mission, vision and values.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF CLASSES
The Essential Functions contained within this Position Description are representative of the required responsibilities for the position, and may not include all responsibilities. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position’s responsibilities if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this position. Essential functions are those that a qualified individual must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation. Other duties may be required as assigned.
 
Representative duties may include:

Lifeguard (Aquatic Center)

• Monitors swimmers to determine if emergency life-saving services are needed by activating the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and activating the 911 system as indicated.
• Rescues distressed swimmers; and provides CPR/AED as needed.
• Documents any incidents and/or injuries.
• Prevents injuries by actively monitoring the facility and facility use; provides water safety education; and monitors water quality.
• Maintains a high level of skill and emergency rescue readiness through drills, in-service training, and physical conditioning.
• Maintains discipline at the facility; ensures that safety rules and regulations are followed; reports problems to supervisor; and assists with the removal of patrons causing disturbances or an unsafe environment.
• Provides basic first aid; monitors first aid supplies; restocks first aid cabinets; and completes injury/accident reports.
• Provides customer service; answers questions and provides information to visitors; assists the public when clearing pools in a personal and professional manner.
• Ensures towers and lifeguard facilities are set up for daily use maintaining general appearance and cleanliness without distraction from lifeguard duties.
• Monitors first aid and medical supplies levels; restocks first aid cabinets.
• If certified, provides swim instruction through the Swim Central initiative; responsible for adjusting curriculum to meet individual student learning needs and end-of-program assessment; instructs aquatic exercise classes and assists with the development and implementation of program curriculum. Sets up facilities for daily use, party rentals, and special events.
• Inspects operational and rescue equipment to ensure that it is in appropriate condition; inspects aquatic facility for possible safety problems and reports findings to supervisor.
• Ensures that dress and appearance are consistent with District standards including wearing swimsuit, guard shirt, whistle and tube while on duty.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  

If certified for Ocean Rescue:

• Monitors beaches, provides water safety education; and advises on water quality concerns.
• Operates a rescue vessel to pratol the swimming areas in order to facilitate rescues and enforcement of rules and regulations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Lifeguard (Aquatic Center) 

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid FL Driver’s License.
• High School Diploma.
• Fingerprinting Required.
• Current Lifeguard certification preferred.
• Current CPR, Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), and First Aid certification preferred.
• New hires (external) must pass drug test as defined by District policy. This condition of employment does not apply to internal transfers.
• New hires (external) must pass background and reference check as defined by District policy. This condition of employment does not apply to internal transfers.
• Must pass a swim test.
• Must be available to work nights, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Must agree to ninety (90) day probation period.
  

Lifeguard (Aquatic Center and Ocean Rescue)

Additional requirements beyond Lifeguard (Aquatic Center) requirements: 

• Personal Watercraft (PWRC) Certification
• Beach Emergency Vehicle Operations (BEVO) Certification
• Minimum of Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician preferred
  
  

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Ability to use a wide variety of simple up to advanced technical systems and equipment.
• Excellent communication skills both orally and written.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to identify problems and recommend solutions within the scope of the classification.
• Excellent customer service & interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritize assigned tasks with excellent multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible for continual changes and upgrades to systems and equipment requirements.
• Ability to exercise tact, firmness, and good judgment in enforcing rules and regulations.
• Ability to prevent dangerous situations from arising, to recognize emergencies and to take effective action.
• Ability to swim long distances in rough water to handle frantic and hysterical persons in the water and to overcome any possible obstacles.
• Ability to instruct and supervise the public in avoiding various dangers.
• Ability to deal with beach visitors politely using good customer service principles.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and annual recertification swimming and running tests.
• Ability to be on time and reliable, and consistently honor schedule commitments to duty.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.

If certified for Ocean Rescue additional knowledge and skills:

• Thorough knowledge of approved ocean rescue methods and specific medical aid techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of ocean currents and how to navigate them.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques of artificial respiration.
• Skill in surf swimming, lifesaving and medical aid.
• Ability to rapidly learn rules and regulations relating to ocean and beach activities.

Communication Skills
Requires the ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of internal and external customers. Must be able to communicate in a positive and professional manner and requires the ability use multiple modes of communication including but not limited to email, phone, video calls, and face-to-face. Must possess the ability to work with diverse teams and individuals with various communication styles and be able to collaborate effectively.

Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills
Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations while maintaining a friendly, positive manner.  Clear and effective communication is essential for maintaining safety and order, especially in dynamic environments. The ability to convey instructions promptly and accurately to prevent misunderstandings and ensures smooth operations demeanor. Must possess conflict resolution skills and the ability to maintain a calm, composed presence in stressful situations.

Adaptability and Flexibility Skills
Requires the ability to adjust to new tasks, processes, and procedures quickly. Must possess the ability to embrace new challenges, manage unexpected tasks, and shift priorities as needed.

Dress and Grooming
Requires a professional appearance including appropriate grooming and dress per established policy.

Working Conditions

Physical Ability

• Must be able to swim proficiently and perform strenuous physical tasks.
• May be required to run short distances, dive, or enter the water quickly in response to emergencies.
• Must have sufficient vision, hearing and speech to recognize and respond to swimmers in distress and to communicate effectively with staff and others.
• Must be able to remain alert and attentive for extended periods while monitoring aquatic areas.
• Regularly required to stand, sit, walk, bend, stoop and reach.
• Tasks require the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing, but typically also involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 100 pounds) and water rescues as well as pushing or pulling individuals with or without assistance.

Environmental Factors
Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes, fumes, hazardous materials, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, water hazards, bright/dim light, toxic agents, disease, pathogenic substances, chemicals use in pool maintenance (i.e. chlorine) or animal/wildlife attacks.

REQUIREMENT TO WORK DURING DECLARED EMERGENCIES
Employees deemed as essential may be required to work during a declared emergency. On an incident-by-incident basis, the District will make the determination as to who will be required to work.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE EMPLOYER
North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District is a Drug Free Workplace Employer.

VETERANS PREFERENCE EMPLOYER
Applicants may be eligible for Veterans' Preference in accordance with Section 295.07 of the Florida Statutes which provides for Veterans’ Preference in hiring and retention. Additional rules for Veterans’ Preference are outlined in Florida Administrative Code (and Florida Administrative Register) FAC 55A- 7

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. North Collier Fire and Rescue District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity of expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

ADA COMPLIANCE
North Collier Fire and Rescue District complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]

The below disclaimers are required as a part of the application process. By Submitting your application, you confirm that you have read and understood the disclosures below. 

• I understand that, should I be offered a position of employment, I will be asked to provide my social security number. The agency will use this number for one of more of the following purposes: 1) post-offer background screening, (2) verifying my eligibility for employment and (3) reporting my earnings once employed to the appropriate Federal, State and Local agencies, if applicable.
• I understand that the District may make a thorough investigation of my character, reputation, past employment, motor vehicle records and my criminal conviction background consistent with federal and state law. I authorize the giving and receiving of any such information requested by the District (including financial and credit records) and hereby relieve and release all former employers and their agents of any liability for any information they may give to the District. I hereby waive any rights or claims I may have whether present fully developed or not against the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District and its agents and employees arising out of or resulting from the release, authorized or unauthorized, of the following information received pursuant to or in connection with the Districts handling, processing, investigating, etc of my application.
• By clicking on the ‘Submit’ button, I hereby certify that every statement I have made in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.
• I understand and agree that, except as specifically prohibited by State Law or Local ordinance or regulation, all District policies and procedures do not create any property rights in employment, and that employment may be terminated by either the employee or the District at any time with or without cause.
• I agree that if a future potential employer contacts the District or its representatives concerning my work record and my work performance at the District, I hereby consent to and authorize persons employed by the District to divulge any and all information they consider relevant to any person representing themselves to be an employer or potential employer of mine with respect to my work records and/or performance of my job at the District.
• I understand that all information provided herein is public record and is subject to review upon request in accordance with Florida Statue 119.071.
• I agree to submit to testing to determine the presence or absence of alcohol ir illegal controlled substances in my body under whatever legal policies or procedures the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District has in effect on the subject at the time testing is required.
• I agree to post-offer testing if requested and understand that failure to meet any job-related medical and/or health requirements for the position with or without reasonable accommodations which would enable me to perform the essential function of the job may prevent employment by the District.
• I understand that all employees who do not have a written employment contract are employed at the will of the district and that all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all background investigations which may include, but are not limited to, employer and non-employer references, background and, where applicable, post-offer testing.
• I agree that upon termination of employment, I shall return all District property.
• *NOTE: The Provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act may be applicable if a credit report on the applicant is obtained and considered.