LIFEGUARD II (SEASONAL)

Department-of-Parks-; California; On-site; USD 31,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California via California State Parks seeks a Lifeguard II (Seasonal) for Santa Cruz District. Pay ranges from $22.51 to $25.27 per hour, with eligibility for the state minimum or alternate range depending on state rules.

This role may entail patrols by vehicle, boat, and foot, with lifesaving and EMS duties, and reports to be filed as needed. Position may involve ocean, surf, river, lake rescues, and specialized assignments; candidate must pass swim tests and complete background

Qualifications

• CPR and first-aid certificates required.
• Completion of the 1,000-yard ocean swim test (under 20 minutes annually).
• Valid California Driver’s License required; provide license details on application.

Responsibilities

• Patrol by vehicle, boat, and on foot to protect visitors.
• Detect and rescue persons or vessels in distress and provide medical aid.
• Notify headquarters of accidents and rescues and prepare reports.
• Assist the public and advise visitors of rules and regulations.
• May perform radio dispatching and maintenance on rescue equipment.

Skills

Lifeguard duties

Rescue operations

Emergency response

Job description

LIFEGUARD II (SEASONAL)
LIFEGUARD II (SEASONAL)

$22.51 - $25.27 per Hour
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/10/2026

LIFEGUARD II(SEASONAL)– SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT / SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS SECTOR / HENRY COWELL REDWOODS STATE PARK
“Priority consideration will be given to any person receiving State public assistance under the CalWORKs program. Applicants who receive State public assistance need to identify their status as a CalWORKs recipient in the comments area on the application. Applicants must submit a verification of their CalWORKs eligibility status, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing TANF eligibility or a copy of your last aid check stub. If verification is not submitted with the application, the application will not be processed. (Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program).”

Incumbents perform patrol duties by vehicle, boat, and foot patrol; detect and rescue persons or vessels in distress; provide emergency medical aid and resuscitation; notify headquarters of accidents and rescues; prepare reports; remove hazards; assist the public and advise visitors of rules and regulations; and take command in emergencies.

Incumbents may also perform radio dispatching; operate, inspect, and perform maintenance on emergency rescue equipment, vehicles, and vessels; assist in the training of personnel in all phases of life‑saving activities and operation and maintenance of emergency rescue equipment; and may do other related work.

Incumbents may perform ocean, surf, river, and lake rescue; scuba diving; off‑road vehicle and All‑Terrain Vehicle patrol; and specialized assignments that include cliff rescue.

Incumbents may lead volunteer programs; plan work schedules and assignments; prepare public safety and statistical reports; and provide interpretive programs to the public and staff.

This position may work up to 1500 hours within 12 consecutive months. This position is designated as not telework eligible.

The selected candidate is required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting prior to appointment.

This position requires a valid Class C driver’s license. You must answer the questions addressing your driver’s license on your application. Ensure you provide your driver’s license number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions on your application.

State housing is not available. For further information regarding this position, please contact Andrew Dobbs, SPPO - Supervisor at [e-mail] .

Per California Code of Regulations (CCR) 599.961 , this is a sensitive position, and therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing. It should be noted that testing is not mandatory, but is allowed to be conducted only if and when there is a determination of reasonable suspicion as defined in CCR 599.962 .

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• LIFEGUARD II (SEASONAL)

LIFEGUARD II (SEASONAL) $22.51 - $25.27 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

Multiple

Telework:

In Office

Department Information

The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Possession of (1) a Department of Parks and Recreation first‑aid certificate or equivalent and (2) a Department of Parks and Recreation Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate or equivalent. An approved Department of Health Emergency Technician certificate may be substituted for both the required certificates. Applicants who do not possess these certificates will be admitted to the examination but they must produce evidence of the certificates before they can be considered for an appointment.

Equivalent to three months of experience performing the duties of a lifeguard in other than swimming pools.

Completion of the 1,000-yard ocean swim test (under 20 minutes annually).

Visitor Safety and Protection,Leadership,Administration, andMaintenance.

DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.).

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s)to the Department's EEO Office.

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.