OPEN WATER LIFEGUARD 2420

City of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Los Angeles is seekingOpen Water Lifeguards to oversee patron safety at open water facilities and perform rescues as needed. Responsibilities include patrolling water areas, operating rescue equipment, and training subordinate staff as required.

Applicants must hold ARC Emergency Response and Lifeguard certificates, USLA Open Water Lifeguard certification, and complete the City lifeguard academy with 600 hours paid experience. Start date and onboarding follow municipal processes.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Successful completion of the City of Los Angeles Open Water Lifeguard Academy.
• Emergency Response Certificate issued by the American Red Cross (ARC).
• Lifeguard Certificate issued by the ARC.
• Open Water Lifeguard Certificate issued by USLA.
• Six hundred hours of paid experience as an Open Water Lifeguard with the City of Los Angeles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee safety of patrons using open water facilities and patrol open water areas.
• Operate a rescue boat or authorized emergency vehicle as needed.
• Rescue patrons and take preventative measures to protect users of the facility.

Education

Open Water Lifeguard Academy

Emergency Response Certificate (ARC)

Lifeguard Certificate (ARC)

Open Water Lifeguard Certificate (USLA)

Job description

ANNUAL SALARY

$71,701 (flat-rated) and $81,912 (flat-rated)

NOTES

1. Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
2. The current salary is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

An Open Water Lifeguard oversees the safety of patrons using open water facilities; patrols open water facilities operating a power rescue boat or authorized emergency vehicle; rescues and takes preventative measures to protect patrons using the facility for recreational boating, water skiing, use of personal water craft, sailboarding, swimming, and other recreational activities; may supervise and train subordinate employees; may operate a large power rescue boat; and does related work.

1. Must be at least 18 years old;
2. Successful completion of the City of Los Angeles Open Water Lifeguard Academy;
3. Emergency Response Certificate issued by the American Red Cross (ARC);
4. Lifeguard Certification issued by the American Red Cross (ARC);
5. Open Water Lifeguard Certificate issued by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA);
6. Six hundred hours of paid experience as an Open Water Lifeguard with the City of Los Angeles.

PROCESS NOTES

1. As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of disqualification or ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.
2. Applicants must submit a copy of their Open Water Lifeguard Academy Certificate, Emergency Response Certificate, Lifeguard Certificate, and Open Water Lifeguard Certificate at the time of filing. The copy of the certificates must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application has been submitted. If the certificates are attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, they will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted them. Applicants who fail to submit the certificates at the time of filing by not attaching them to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
3. Valid American Red Cross (ARC) Emergency Response and Lifeguarding Training certificates must be maintained throughout the course of employment.
4. Because this class has been designated as Safety Sensitive in accordance with the City Policy, a drug and alcohol screening test may be required prior to appointment and during employment.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications must be received by THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026.

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list; 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.

Examination Weight

Interview: 100%

The examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of professional and personal qualifications by interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Personal Risk; Interpersonal Skills; Customer Service; Program Responsibility; Safety Focus, including knowledge of: principles and practices required to oversee the safety of patrons using open water facilities; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: general open water lifeguarding techniques; emergency first aid procedures and practices; open water facility reporting requirements; Equipment Operation, including knowledge of: safe and proper operation and maintenance of rescue boats and other authorized emergency vehicles; equipment used to rescue patrons at open water facilities; standard practices and etiquette required when operating marine band and department radios; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to https://personnel.lacity.gov/jobs/job-analyses.cfm and clicking on Competencies under Open Water Lifeguard.

Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which may be held in Los Angeles or on-line. It is anticipated that interviews will begin during the period of MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2026 to FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2026.

NOTES

1. This examination is based on a validation study.
2. As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at https://personnel.lacity.gov/exams/verify_disability.pdf.
3. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
4. A final average score of 70% or higher is required to be placed on the eligible list.
5. In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22, and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.
6. If in accordance with the Rule of Three Whole Scores all candidates are eligible for appointment consideration, the examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of the candidate’s City employment application by Personnel Department staff to ensure that the minimum qualifications have been met.

Notice: If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage, as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN ONLY ON AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS

THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, DISABILITY, CREED, COLOR, ANCESTRY, MEDICAL CONDITION (CANCER), OR ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html