What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seasonal Lifeguard (Recreational Aid/Assistant) position at Cape Cod National Seashore?
The typical seasonal period for these positions is June through September but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.
Anticipated Entry on Duty: June 2026
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-03 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least six (6) months of general experience. General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Examples of general experience would be working a YMCA, at a summer camp, Boy Scout/Girl Scout clubs, customer service, etc. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year above high school. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
COMBINATION of Experience and Education: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
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: 6 months of general experience AND 6 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 area of the occupation. Examples of general experience would be working as a lifeguard at a YMCA, counselor at a summer camp, work as a leader with Boy Scout/Girl Scout clubs and customer service. 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 (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for 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 activities 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: Successful completion of at least two year 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.). You must include transcripts.
-OR-
COMBINATION of Experience and Education: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). 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 (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade. Some examples of specialized experience are a) experience as a lifeguard in a pool, lake, or ocean providing lifesaving skills; b) experience providing lifesaving skills such as swim instructor; c) teacher's aid in school recreation or physical education program, with emphasis on development of general recreational skills and abilities. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of 24 semester hours in recreation or physical education. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
COMBINATION Education and Experience: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
** Applicants must provide a valid Lifeguard certification from a nationally recognized organization, CPR certification, and First Aid certification prior to entry on duty.
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.
Anticipated Entry on Duty: June 2026
Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-05/29/2026-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-03 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least six (6) months of general experience. General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Examples of general experience would be working a YMCA, at a summer camp, Boy Scout/Girl Scout clubs, customer service, etc. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year above high school. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
COMBINATION of Experience and Education: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
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: 6 months of general experience AND 6 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 area of the occupation. Examples of general experience would be working as a lifeguard at a YMCA, counselor at a summer camp, work as a leader with Boy Scout/Girl Scout clubs and customer service. 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 (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for 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 activities 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: Successful completion of at least two year 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.). You must include transcripts.
-OR-
COMBINATION of Experience and Education: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). 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 (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade. Some examples of specialized experience are a) experience as a lifeguard in a pool, lake, or ocean providing lifesaving skills; b) experience providing lifesaving skills such as swim instructor; c) teacher's aid in school recreation or physical education program, with emphasis on development of general recreational skills and abilities. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of 24 semester hours in recreation or physical education. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
COMBINATION Education and Experience: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
** Applicants must provide a valid Lifeguard certification from a nationally recognized organization, CPR certification, and First Aid certification prior to entry on duty.
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.
Responsibilities:
This is an open continuous announcement. Applicants will be referred throughout the announcement period. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions are filled or announcement reaches the closing date. The first cut-off date is 11:59 pm (EST), March 2, 2026.- Serves as an ocean lifeguard at one of six protected Seashore beaches.
- Responsible for public safety, water oriented assists and rescues, enforces beach regulations, administers first aid, as well as providing informational services and interpretation to visitors.
- May assist with conservation and park protection programs, particularly during periods of inclement weather.
- Lifeguards must pass a pre-season run/swim test.
- Required to be able to work outdoors for long periods of time.
Salary : $18