How to hire an ocean lifeguard

How to hire an ocean lifeguard, step by step

Here's a step-by-step ocean lifeguard hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an ocean lifeguard job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new ocean lifeguard
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an ocean lifeguard, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect ocean lifeguard also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of ocean lifeguards and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Ocean Lifeguard	Description	Hourly rate
   Ocean Lifeguard	An Ocean Lifeguard maintains continuous surveillance of people in the area of a beach. They supervise swimmers to ensure that they are swimming in accordance with safety protocols.	$11-17
   Swim Instructor	As the name entails, swim instructors teach both children and adults how to swim. They help people develop their swimming ability through proper swimming techniques... Show more	$8-16
   Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	The primary job of lifeguards and swimming instructors is to keep an eye and teach swimmers at both private and public beaches, pools, private resorts, public parks, and summer camps. They implement local laws and regulations of the facility and provide help to swimmers who are in need... Show more	$10-16

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Public Safety
   • EMT
   • Emergency Situations
   • Patrol
   • Responder
   • Emergency Response
   • EMS
   • Water Safety
   • Medical Assistance
   • Rescue Equipment
   • Medical Procedures
   • Rescue Techniques
   • Medical Emergencies
   • Resuscitation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Educate children in small groups about beach awareness, marine life, first aid and CPR.
   • Provide first aid treatment and CPR to patrons and maintain the beach while answering all patrons questions
   • Patrol or monitor recreational areas such as and swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
   • Provide first responder medical emergency aid.
   • Receive extensive first responder and advance water-rescue training.
   • Coordinate and participate in patrol events and lifeguard competition.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your ocean lifeguard job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An ocean lifeguard can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, ocean lifeguards' average salary in indiana is 44% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level ocean lifeguards 38% less than senior-level ocean lifeguards.
   • Certifications. An ocean lifeguard with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an ocean lifeguard's salary.

   Average ocean lifeguard salary

   $14.38hourly

   $29,909 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level ocean lifeguard salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing an ocean lifeguard job description

   An ocean lifeguard job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an ocean lifeguard job description:

   Ocean lifeguard job description example

   Veterans' Preference Applies
   
   * EEO Statement
   
   The City of Delray Beach does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability, marital status, family status or sexual orientation in employment or the provision of services
   
   * Non-Smoking
   
   The City of Delray Beach is aNon-Tobacco Workplace. The City will not consider applicants who have used tobacco or nicotine products for a period of at least three months prior to application for employment. The definition of "tobacco or nicotine products" includes but is not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipes, snuff, e-cigarettes and nicotine patches or gum.
   
   Monitor, control and prevent situations hazardous to the health and safety of beach patrons through alert, responsive observations of the beach and the ocean. Execute rescue procedures promptly and efficiently when necessary. Provide resuscitative care when needed. Work is performed under general supervision.
   
   Essential Job Duties
   
   * Observe and monitor beach patrons while viewing ocean conditions.
   
   * Enforce City ordinances.
   
   * Initiate water rescues in various situations and conditions. Provide first aid care for minor injuries or care until EMS personnel arrives, along with giving CPR, if necessary.
   
   * Regulate activities that may threaten beach patrons or property.
   
   * Assist in maintenance of lifesaving equipment and facilities.
   
   * Function as a spokesperson.
   
   * Assist in computerized recordkeeping.
   
   (These essential job functions are not construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related marginal duties as required.)
   
   FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
   
   * Knowledge of Basic Life Support procedures; lifesaving, resuscitative techniques and actions, along with beach operations.
   
   * Ability to care for patients with traumatic injuries in highly stressful situations.
   
   * Ability to run and swim with strength and endurance.
   
   * Ability to perform emergency medical procedures.
   
   * Ability to direct recreational activities in the ocean environment.
   
   * Ability to perform job functions in stressful situations.
   
   * Skill in using Semi-Automatic Defibrillators in cardiac emergencies.
   
   * Proficiency in performing CPR Professional Rescuer.
   
   * Computer knowledge and skill.
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   
   High school graduate or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
   
   Must possess a State of Florida State EMT Certification.
   
   Must possess CPR for the professional rescuer
   
   Must possess a valid State of Florida Driver's License
   
   Must satisfactorily complete the Ocean Lifesaving qualification test.
   
   (A comparable amount of training, education or experience can be substituted for the minimum qualifications.)
   
   Supplemental Information
   
   ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:
   
   Outside Positions:
   
   The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to run, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to work in outside weather conditions and may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, or moderately loud when in the field.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right ocean lifeguard for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your ocean lifeguard job on Zippia to find and recruit ocean lifeguard candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit ocean lifeguards, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new ocean lifeguard

   Once you've decided on a perfect ocean lifeguard candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new ocean lifeguard first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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