What are the responsibilities and job description for the LIFEGUARD (PERMANENT INTERMITTENT) position at California State Personnel Board?
Department of Parks & Recreation
LIFEGUARD (PERMANENT INTERMITTENT)
$22.51 - $25.27 per Hour
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 4/28/2026
Job Description and Duties
The reporting location for this position is Sonoma Coast State Park, CA. This position will work under the general supervision of State Park Peace Officer Supervisor I (Lifeguard).
The incumbent must work effectively with the entire lifeguard, visitor services. and maintenance staff to carry out the Department's mission, goals, and values. The position will have specific responsibilities within community involvement programs, the leadership of the aquatic operation, and various training programs. Lifeguard (PI) employees are expected to be available to work full-time during the peak-use period of Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Lifeguard Supervisor may grant exceptions to the peak-use period requirement for extenuating circumstances and/or to retain specialized skills in this lead person role. The Lifeguard Non- Badge Permanent Intermittent performs duties in direct service to the public.
This position may work up to 1500 hours in any calendar year.
This position is designated as not telework eligible.
This position requires a valid Class C driver’s license. You must answer the questions addressing your driver’s license on your application. Ensure you provide your driver’s license number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions on your application. The selected candidate is required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting prior to appointment.
Per California Code of Regulations (CCR) 599.961, this is a sensitive position, and therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing. It should be noted that testing is not mandatory, but is allowed to be conducted only if and when there is a determination of reasonable suspicion as defined in CCR 599.962.
State housing may be required. Special Requirement/Condition of Employment: Depending on the assigned location, the incumbent may be required to occupy state-owned housing to meet operational needs, or may be offered state-owned housing if available. Housing assignments will be determined in accordance with Department policy, operational priorities, and applicable labor agreements.
For further information regarding this position, please contact Alicia Gilbert at (707) 609-8158 or at Alicia.Gilbert@parks.ca.gov.
This recruitment may be used to fill identical vacancies which may occur within 180 days of the Final Filing Date of this job posting.
Position Details
Department Information
The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.
All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.
Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
- The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
Minimum Qualifications: Possession of a current Department of Parks and Recreation Lifeguard Training Program Certificate, or successful completion of the Department's Lifeguard Training Program is required prior to appointment. The Department Lifeguard Training Program is to be specific for the job assignment: i.e., Inland Lifeguard Training for assignment to a reservoir or lake, or Ocean Lifeguard Training for assignment to a coastal beach or park. Annual renewal of the Lifeguard Training Program certificate is required.
A physical suitability examination by a licensed medical doctor is to be completed prior to appointment. Persons who are not successful in these examinations cannot be appointed in this classification.
Special Physical Characteristics: Physical strength, endurance, and agility necessary to perform lifesaving activities; ability to swim at a level to perform lifesaving activities; mentally alert; hearing in each ear sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job; a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye; an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye; a peripheral visual field of at least 120 degrees horizontally and 100 degrees vertically in each eye; normal color vision, as determined by Ishihara or other color plate tests; pass a swimming/running performance test as determined by the Department prior to appointment and on an annual basis.
DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.)
SROA/SURPLUS Applicants: You must check the SROA/Surplus as your claimed method of eligibility and attach your SROA/Surplus letter as an additional document.Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 4/28/2026Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Benefits
Additional Instructions
If submitting your completed Application Package by mail or hand delivery, you must include the Position # 549-657-0985-902 and the Job Control # JC-514930 in the “Examination or Job Title for which you are applying” section on the STD. 678.
Note: If you are applying for multiple positions, you must complete a STD. 678 for each position separately. Incomplete applications or applications received with multiple positions listed on one application will not be considered.
Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.Eligibility Information
To be appointed you must satisfy one of the following requirements:
- Transfer Eligibility – Must have current employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable. If in a different classification, you must meet the minimum qualifications (see Minimum Qualifications section and associated links above).
- Reinstatement Eligibility – Previously obtained permanent employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable. If in a different classification, you must meet the minimum qualifications (see Minimum Qualifications section and associated links above).
In some special circumstances, candidates who meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position, but who do not have one of the types of eligibility listed above, may be hired. However, this is rare, and the preferred method of appointment is through eligibility as described above.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Salary : $23 - $25