LIFEGUARD TRAINEE - P/T

City-of-Newport-Beach,-Ca; Newport Beach (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 43,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

BLA training

Summer season

Public safety experience

Job summary

The City of Newport Beach is seeking a Lifeguard Trainee for a part‑time, seasonal role. Trainees learn ocean rescue, first responder medical treatment, and public beach assistance through the Basic Lifeguard Academy (BLA).

Applications open until Jan 20, 2027 with a competitive tryout Jan 30 at the Lifeguard Headquarters. A virtual interview follows on Feb 3, 2027 if invited, and successful trainees may advance to Lifeguard I or Cadet after the program.

Qualifications

• Lifesaving techniques and procedures for ocean surveillance, rescue recognition, and surf entry.
• Identification and effects of hazardous ocean conditions such as rip currents, surf, irregular ocean bottom conditions, lateral currents, and tides.
• Emergency Medical Responder and CPR certifications.
• Customer service skills related to public safety and the beach environment.

Skills

Lifesaving techniques

Ocean surveillance

Rescue recognition

Surf entry

EMR/CPR certifications

Customer service

Job description

Come join the City of Newport Beach Fire Department - Lifeguard Operations Division as a part-time Lifeguard Trainee!

Join our amazing team and have a rewarding summer! To become a seasonal ocean lifeguard for the City of Newport Beach, candidates must first apply for the Lifeguard Trainee position. Lifeguard Trainees attend classes at the Basic Lifeguard Academy (BLA) in order to learn skills and techniques used in ocean rescue, emergency decision making, first responder medical treatment and public assistance.

Salary Information

• Lifeguard Trainee PT: $16.90 per hour
• Lifeguard Cadet PT: $18.90 per hour
• Lifeguard I PT: $25.50 - $31.02 per hour

Lifeguard Trainees who successfully complete the Basic Lifeguard Academy (BLA) may be hired as a Lifeguard I or Lifeguard Cadet based on their performance and operational needs.

Knowledge and skills gained through classroom and field training may include

• Lifesaving techniques and procedures for ocean surveillance, rescue recognition, and surf entry
• Identification and effects of hazardous ocean conditions such as rip currents, surf, irregular ocean bottom conditions, lateral currents, and tides
• Emergency Medical Responder and CPR certifications
• Customer service skills related to public safety and the beach environment

Information Night

The Newport Beach Lifeguards are hosting an Information Night on Wednesday, January 6, 2027 for those interested in seeing Lifeguard Headquarters, meeting the team, and learning more about becoming a Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard. Attendance is not required as part of the recruitment process, nor does it affect applicant eligibility and/or imply a future job offer.

Selection Procedure

• Application Evaluation: Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, January 20, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. Candidates are required to attach the Release of Liability and Waiver Form to their online application.

• Competitive Tryout: Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a competitive tryout tentatively scheduled for the morning of Saturday, January 30, 2027. The tryouts will begin at the Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters located at the base of the Newport Pier. Please note the following course and/or selection components are subject to change depending on weather conditions: 1,000 Meter Ocean Swim (30% of the overall score) and 1,000 Meter Ocean Run‑Swim‑Run (30% of the overall score). The top candidates with a combined score from the Ocean Swim and Ocean Run‑Swim‑Run will be invited to the virtual interview. Candidates must complete each component to continue.

• Virtual Interview: Tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 3, 2027 (40% of the overall score). A minimum score of 70% on the Virtual Interview is required to be placed on the eligibility list. Candidates on the eligibility list may be invited to attend the BLA based on their overall score from the testing process.

BLA & Tower Orientation

The City of Newport Beach BLA is a 109‑hour course certified by the United States Lifesaving Association and Orange County Emergency Medical Services. The BLA is designed to prepare and evaluate the suitability of Lifeguard Trainees to become Newport Beach Lifeguards. The BLA is a competitively scored program. BLA attendance and completion of two tower orientations are mandatory. Your absence from any training may disqualify you from further consideration. Please check in advance for any conflicting dates.

BASIC LIFEGUARD ACADEMY SCHEDULE 2027 - ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY

• Wednesday, March 31 (Orientation)* 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Friday, April 02 (CPR) 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Saturday, April 03 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Sunday, April 04 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday, April 10 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday, April 11 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday, April 17 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday, April 18 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday, April 24 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday, April 25 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday, May 01 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday, May 02 (Final) 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

* Please note: Applicants may be allowed to attend the orientation in person or virtually by request. All other BLA dates require in‑person attendance.

TOWER ORIENTATION SCHEDULE 2027 - TWO TRAININGS ARE MANDATORY

• Saturday, May 8 Noon – 6 p.m.
• Sunday, May 9* Noon – 6 p.m.
• Saturday, May 15 Noon – 6 p.m.
• Sunday, May 16 Noon – 6 p.m.
• Saturday, May 22 Noon – 6 p.m.
• Sunday, May 23 Noon – 6 p.m.

* Please note: Mother’s Day is May 09.

* For questions regarding BLA dates/attendance, please call Lifeguard Headquarters at [phone].

Please see online job specification for a more detailed description of essential duties.

Please see online job specification for a more detailed description of qualifications.

Experience

Strong physical fitness, strength and stamina, especially endurance swimming.

Training

No training is required.

Age

Must be at least 16 years of age by March 30, 2027.

Physical Requirements

A physical examination including a drug test will be administered to applicants. The vision requirement is 20-40 correctable in an aquatic environment.

License or Certificate

Due to the performance of some field duties which require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record may be required.

Please Note

Candidates deemed most qualified, as reflected in their application materials, will be invited to continue in the recruitment process. At that time, background information will be requested from the candidates. Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a thorough background review, including being fingerprinted by the Newport Beach Police Department. The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature, date, surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.

Disaster Service Worker

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Newport Beach employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.