LAKE LIFEGUARD CANDIDATE, Temporary

Job Description

Position/Program Information

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

LAKE LIFEGUARD, CANDIDATE (TEMPORARY)

SALARY: $18.47 Hourly

LAKE LIFEGUARD SALARY RANGE (UPON COMPLETION OF ACADEMY): $29.83 - $31.49 per hour

FILING OPENING: The application filing period will begin on September 24, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Continuous. We will keep accepting applications until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

Exam number: D2947F

Type of Recruitment:

We welcome applications from everyone.

About the job:

Participates in an intensive training academy in advanced open water lifeguarding and emergency medical response. Oversees water safety and patrol beaches at the Department of Parks & Recreation's three regional lakes. (Castaic Lake, in Castaic, Frank G. Bonelli Lake, in San Dimas, and Santa Fe Dam Lake, in Irwindale)

Why work for us?

With more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California, over 116,000 employees in more than 38 Departments, we provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, cultural activities and many more.

We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. The County has more than 2,300 different job descriptions, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We offer of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country. Join us and discover a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

Essential Job Functions

Under close supervision, participates in a training academy.

Through classroom and field training, learns proper lifesaving techniques and procedures for lake surveillance, victim recognition, lake entry, lake rescue, vessel assistance, and park and lake ordinance enforcement.

Receives instruction and participates in field training to learn proper procedures and acquire proficiency in the rescue or evacuation of persons endangered by hazardous lake conditions and in the provision of emergency medical care.

Receives instruction in the identification of, and human behavior related to open water and unsafe lake conditions.

Receives instruction in enforcement of county ordinances.

Receives instruction and prepares for authorized lifesaving, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certifications.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:

No experience or prior training is required.

Candidates must have the ability to swim 1000 meters in 18 minutes or less.
PHYSICAL CLASS:
4 - Arduous - Involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working above ground on irregular surfaces. It includes those positions that occasionally demand extraordinary physical activity such as those in Safety positions.
LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver’s License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

NOTE: California Class C Driver's License is not required for the current Lake Lifeguard Candidate exam. However, a valid California Class C Driver's License will be required upon completion of training academy for the Lake Lifeguard position.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Must be at least 16 years of age at time of swim test.

Vision : At least 20/30 in each eye without correction.
Hearing :
There may be no greater than a 25 dB loss in the better ear as averaged over the test frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz. There may not be a peak loss at any of the test frequencies greater than:

30 dB at 500 Hz
30 dB at 1000 Hz
40 dB at 2000 Hz
40 dB at 3000 Hz

There may be no greater than a 35 dB loss in the worse ear as averaged over the test frequencies, and no peak loss greater than 45 dB at any of the test frequencies. In the case of a questionable, unusual, or borderline hearing loss, the applicant's record will be reviewed by the Occupational Health Service Consultant in otolaryngology who will make a recommendation as to the applicant's employability and forward it to the Medical Director for final disposition.

* * * I M P O R T A N T I N F O R M A T I O N * * *

IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, ALL CANDIDATES MUST
APPLY ONLINE AND ATTEND ONE OF THE SWIM TESTS by following the QR Code below:

Norman S. Johnson Aquatics Center
405 S. Santa Anita Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006 Sunday - October 18, 2026
Saturday- November 7, 2026 9:00am
9:00am
Castaic Aquatic Center
31350 Castaic Road
Castaic, CA 91384 Sunday - October 25, 2026
Saturday -November 21, 2026 9:00am
9:00am

In the event that you do not have access to the QR code please follow this link:

LLG Swim Test Application Link Sept 2026

Candidates must come prepared with bathing suits and towels to take the swim test.

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT: This examination will consist of a performance test weighted 100%. A swim test of 1,000 meters which must be completed in 18 minutes or less. All candidates finishing within the time limit will receive a score of 100%;

Candidates who do not complete the swim test within the 18-minute time limit will receive a failing score.

Only candidates who pass the swim test will be placed on the eligible register.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

CANDIDATES MUST PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AT CHECK IN

• PHOTO ID
  • A valid State ID or State Driver's license, School, Work or Military ID, or Passport are acceptable forms of identification.
• PROOF OF AGE
  • If your Photo ID does not show your date of birth, an Original Birth Certificate will be required.

Without a valid photo ID, candidates will not be allowed to participate in the examination.

IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT APPLICATIONS ARE FILED PRIOR TO SWIM TEST DATE BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION: The names of candidates receiving a passing grade in the examination will be placed on the eligible register for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of promulgation.

VACANCY INFORMATION: The eligible register for this examination will be used to fill vacancies in the Department of Parks and Recreation. The positions are temporary only.

DRUG TEST: Applicants for this position will be required to take and pass a urine drug screening as part of the pre-placement medical examination.

Potential Work Sites:

• Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, San Dimas, CA
• Castaic Lake, Castaic, CA
• Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Irwindale, CA

Shift: Various; includes weekends, nights, and holidays.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ON-LINE. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY U.S. MAIL, FAX OR IN-PERSON WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Go to: http://governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty and search for "LAKE LIFEGUARD CANDIDATE (TEMPORARY)." You must click on the green "APPLY" button in order to apply online.

Fill out your application completely. All information is subject to verification. We may reject your application at any time during selection process.

Plan to submit your online application well in advance as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty , you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.

NOTE: Applicants have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County.

Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile Inbox, which save a copy of all emailed notices.

It is your responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence. Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be complete on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

NO SHARING OF USER ID, E-MAIL AND PASSWORD: All applicants must file their application using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
TESTING ACCOMMODATION: If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, let us know by contacting the ADA/Testing Coordinator at (626) 588-5109. Please note, you may be required to submit supporting documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can respond to your request and keep you moving through the process.

Department Contact Name: Francis Sanchez
Department Contact Number: 626-612-1494
Department Contact Email: fsanchez @ parks.lacounty.gov
Teletype Phone: (213) 427-6118

For detailed information, please click here

Closing Date/Time: Continuous