Seasonal Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard)

U.S. Department of the Interior; Indiana; On-site; USD 25,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated lifeguard to join their team at Indiana Dunes National Park. This temporary seasonal position focuses on ensuring visitor safety through vigilant lifeguarding and proactive communication about beach conditions. The role includes performing rescues, providing first aid, and maintaining safety records. Ideal candidates will have a strong foundation in lifeguarding techniques and a passion for outdoor recreation. Join a team committed to protecting visitors and enhancing their experience in a beautiful natural setting. If you are ready to make a difference and meet the challenge, this opportunity awaits you.

Qualifications

• Must pass swim tests and demonstrate rescue techniques.
• Experience in lifeguarding or related fields is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide lifeguard services, ensuring visitor safety.
• Patrol beach areas and advise on hazardous conditions.

Skills

Lifeguarding

Search and rescue

First Aid

Communication

Education

2 years of study above high school

Tools

All-terrain vehicle

Job description

The incumbent of this position serves as a lifeguard within the Visitor and Resource Protection division of Indiana Dunes National Park. The purpose of this position is to provide for visitor safety. The incumbent will apply technical expertise in the coordination and implementation of daily service as a team member of the beach safety operation. This position is classified temporary seasonal; not to exceed 1039 hours. Duty station for the lifeguard will occur at West Beach.

Duties

Performs lifeguard services during assigned tours of duty, accomplishing search and rescue, lifesaving, and preventive life guarding. Provides information on park regulations to the public. Patrols beach areas on foot advising visitors of hazardous lake and swimming conditions. Advises supervisor of safety problems and assists in the operation of the First Aid and Lifeguard Services Center, as requested. Prepares rescue reports and maintains records, as necessary. Performs other park support duties (such as festival assistance, garbage pick-up, and inventories), as weather conditions and/or workload requirements dictate. Position requires wearing the full assigned uniform and operation of an all-terrain vehicle.

NOTE: Any applicant tentatively selected may be required to pass park administered testing, which entails the following: 1) Swim 500 yards in 10 minutes or less; 2) Recover a 10-pound weight from 12 feet of water; 3) Swim 25 yards underwater with one breath; 4) Successfully demonstrate proper water rescue techniques; and 5) Demonstrate proper techniques for handling neck and back injuries.

Cut-off Dates: This is an open continuous announcement, in which applications are collected over several months, and have multiple cut-off dates. Applications received by the initial cutoff date will be considered first. INITIAL CUT OFF IS Friday March 21, 2025. Applications will be considered throughout the open period of the announcement however additional referral certificates will only be issued when a hiring official exhausts current certificate and/or additional vacancies need to be filled.

Indiana Dunes National Park - Point of Contact Zachary Moreno

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 06/02/2025 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-04 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: Have six months of general experience AND six months of specialized experience. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject areas of the occupation. Examples include working as a lifeguard at the YMCA, counselor at a summer camp, work as a leader with Boy Scout/Girl Scout clubs. Specialized experience is experience which is in the occupation of the position to be filled, in a related occupation, or in one of the specialized areas within that occupation, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression of the occupation in the organization. Some examples of specialized experience are a) aid or assistant in the issuance of authorized property, and in the maintenance of inventory control and accountability for such property in a recreation facility; b) aid or assistant in a hotel or resort recreation service, with duties such as setting up areas for games, tournaments, and other organized group recreational activities; c) aid or assistant in the organization and administration of recreation activities, such as preparing calendars, maintaining attendance records, and providing information concerning schedules and activities; d) summer aid in a State or national park, with duties related to the recreational activities of visitors to campsites, trails, picnic areas, nature and raft centers, and boating and fishing areas (e.g. demonstrating camping techniques and park safety, conducting nature tours and overseeing farm animal areas provided for children). You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-
EDUCATION: Have successfully completed 2 years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to recreation (e.g., basic psychology, group dynamics, physical education, arts and crafts, etc.). IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your degree in your resume. You must submit a copy of your transcripts, or a complete list of college courses taken that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. We cannot determine eligibility without this information. (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty if you are selected). You must include transcripts.

-OR-
COMBINATION: Have a combination of work experience and education (includes 6 semester hours in courses related to recreation (e.g., basic psychology, group dynamics, physical education, arts, and crafts, etc.)) when added together would equal 100 percent of the needed qualifications for the position. You must include transcripts.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.