What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lifeguard I (New Lifeguards for 2026 season) position at East Bay Regional Park District?
**NOTE: All applicants are required to complete a physical agility swim test. Dates for the swim test include: 3/14/26, 3/15/26, 3/21/26, 3/22/26, 3/24/26. Details regarding testing locations, dates, and times can be found in the job details below. Candidates are also highly encouraged to attend a seasonal hiring workshop on Sunday, March 29, 2026 to complete the pre-employment background check process.**
As an open water lifeguard, you have the opportunity to do something unique: You get to save lives in a variety of environments including pools, lagoons, lakes and/or the bay! You do this through educating the public on water safety, rescuing distressed swimmers, and providing first aid in a variety of situations. If you want to train every day, work outdoors, and make a real difference in the lives of people who visit our swim facilities, apply to be a lifeguard today!
ABOUT US:
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres, 1,250 miles of trails, and 55 miles of shoreline. We manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. Learn about our Mission and Vision, History, and our contributions to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
OUR MISSION:
EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.
OUR VALUES:
WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?
Vacancy Situation: Based on the swim/physical test and application materials, approximately the top 30 new lifeguard candidates will be hired provisionally and paid to attend the Lifeguard Academy, beginning Saturday, April 18, 2026. Upon successful completion of the Lifeguard Academy, lifeguards will be scheduled and assigned according to the District's swim facility needs.
What You'll Be Doing as a Lifeguard I: Under direct supervision, you will perform general lifeguard functions at a District aquatic facility. You may be called upon to teach aquatic and safety programs to youth and the general public, and do other work as required.
Ideal Candidate: Upholds the core values of the EBRPD Lifeguard Service
Desirable Qualifications:
Pay Step Increases: A lifeguard will be considered to have completed one year of service in a classification after working for a minimum of 350 hours. If the lifeguard works 350 hours by the end of the season, the lifeguard will advance to the next pay step at the start of the following season. If the lifeguard works less than 350 hours, the lifeguard will remain at the same pay step at the start of the following season.
Swim Facility Locations: All Park District and partnership swim facilities operate depending on weather, water level, water quality, staffing availability and visitation. All facilities are open water areas with the exception of Ambrose Aquatic Center, Antioch High School, Castle Rock, Deer Valley and Roberts. Specific lifeguard service dates for each facility will be available soon at the Swim Facilities page on EBRPD’s website. Planned aquatic worksites for 2026 are listed below:
Application materials for this position consist of two (2) required parts:
1. A current East Bay Regional Park District job application submitted online; and
2. Completed Supplemental Questionnaire (included in job application).
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user on the system. If you have previously applied to a recruitment on GovernmentJobs.com, please take care to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have any problems while applying online, please contact the NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.
Selection Process: The application material for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for interview or testing. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment devices before or after the interview process. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment. The individual(s) chosen for hire must be able to pass a background check, District medical examination prior to employment, and continuous skill audits.
**Swim/Physical Test Dates**:
In an effort to keep everyone safe, adherence to all local, state, and federal health orders will be followed throughout all components of the testing. Specific details of the procedures and protocols will be provided prior to any in person activities. Candidates will be required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of these expectations.
NOTE: Testing locations may be subject to change based on availability. Additional testing dates and new locations may become available. More information to be provided at a later date.
The Swim/Physical Test consists of the following:
Seasonal Hiring Workshop: March 29, 2026
All candidates who pass the swim test are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to attend a seasonal hiring workshop that will take place on March 29, 2026 at Roberts Pool. The workshop will provide an opportunity to take care of pre-employment background processes such as medical examinations, TB test, and LiveScan fingerprinting. Candidates who do not attend this workshop will be responsible for completing these steps on their own. Candidates who do not complete the background steps will not move forward in the recruitment process.
Lifeguard Academy: New Lifeguard candidates are required to participate in the Lifeguard Academy. The Academy is conducted at various District Facilities in the East Bay area. Upon successful completion of the Lifeguard Academy, continued employment as a Lifeguard will be conditional based on District needs. The following American Red Cross certificates will be awarded upon passing the provisional hire status:
2026 Lifeguard Academy Dates:
All times for each day are 9am—5:30pm.
Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at 510-544-2154 no later than five (5) business days prior to your swim test examination date.
As an open water lifeguard, you have the opportunity to do something unique: You get to save lives in a variety of environments including pools, lagoons, lakes and/or the bay! You do this through educating the public on water safety, rescuing distressed swimmers, and providing first aid in a variety of situations. If you want to train every day, work outdoors, and make a real difference in the lives of people who visit our swim facilities, apply to be a lifeguard today!
ABOUT US:
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres, 1,250 miles of trails, and 55 miles of shoreline. We manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. Learn about our Mission and Vision, History, and our contributions to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
OUR MISSION:
EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.
OUR VALUES:
- Respect – We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.
- Resilience – We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
- Relationships – Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
- Responsiveness – We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
- Transparency – We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.
WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?
- Work with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties
- A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission
- Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click here for details regarding additional benefits
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development
- Free on-site parking
- Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
- Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch.
Vacancy Situation: Based on the swim/physical test and application materials, approximately the top 30 new lifeguard candidates will be hired provisionally and paid to attend the Lifeguard Academy, beginning Saturday, April 18, 2026. Upon successful completion of the Lifeguard Academy, lifeguards will be scheduled and assigned according to the District's swim facility needs.
What You'll Be Doing as a Lifeguard I: Under direct supervision, you will perform general lifeguard functions at a District aquatic facility. You may be called upon to teach aquatic and safety programs to youth and the general public, and do other work as required.
Ideal Candidate: Upholds the core values of the EBRPD Lifeguard Service
Honesty: Be truthful and honest in all communication.
Integrity: Practice good judgement in all decisions; do the right thing even when no one is looking.
Respect: Treat all individuals the way you would like to be treated.
Safety: Protect all swimmers with an unwavering dedication to patrol surveillance.
Service: Provide the highest levels of courtesy, respect, customer service, and emergency assistance to all park visitors.
The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:
- Performs the tasks necessary to promote public safety at an aquatic facility by lifeguarding;
- Monitors activities in aquatic areas to prevent accidents;
- Enforces regulations, cautions swimmers regarding unsafe swimming activities, rescues swimmers in danger of drowning, administers first aid, and maintains order in aquatic areas;
- Inspects facility for cleanliness, keeping aquatic area clean and free from hazards;
- Inspects and maintains equipment and materials in proper working order;
- Participates in training sessions;
- Takes reports from the public;
- Fills out medical incident reports, training logs, and other forms and paperwork as required;
- Instructs aquatic and safety programs, as required.
- New Lifeguards must successfully complete the District's Lifeguard Academy;
- Must be sixteen (16) years of age or older as of April 18, 2026.
Desirable Qualifications:
- A current "Water Safety Instructor (WSI)" certificate from the American Red Cross or its equivalent;
- A current "CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Instructor" certificate from the American Red Cross or its equivalent;
- A current "Lifeguard Training Instructor" certificate from the American Red Cross or its equivalent.
- Lifeguarding;
- Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation, sufficient to write accurate reports and forms.
- Use a computer terminal
- Swim 550 yards (500 meters) over a measured course in ten minutes or less
- Operate and maintain lifesaving equipment;
- Effectively teach aquatic and safety programs to varying age levels;
- Walk, run, jump, climb, swim, dive, sit, lift, and carry equipment weighing up to 60 pounds, lift overhead and balance equipment weighing up to 40 pounds;
- Work outdoors in the sun for prolonged periods of time;
- Breath-hold dive to 15 feet and recover 150-pound person while wearing mask and fins in an open water environment;
- Understand and apply District and department policies, procedures, protocols, and pertinent local and state regulations relating to lifeguard operations and emergency procedures;
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse public, with a focus on quality service to internal and external customers.
- New Lifeguards must successfully complete the District's Lifeguard Academy prior to lifeguarding;
- Lifeguards are required to wear uniforms and may be required to work unusual hours, weekends, and holidays;
- Lifeguards may be required to work at aquatic facilities other than their assigned facility; and
- Lifeguards must participate in a minimum of 16 hours of formal rescue skills training per season and work a minimum of 100 hours lifeguarding during the regular scheduled lifeguard season;
Pay Step Increases: A lifeguard will be considered to have completed one year of service in a classification after working for a minimum of 350 hours. If the lifeguard works 350 hours by the end of the season, the lifeguard will advance to the next pay step at the start of the following season. If the lifeguard works less than 350 hours, the lifeguard will remain at the same pay step at the start of the following season.
Hourly Salary*:
Step A: $22.70
Step B: $23.27
Step C: $23.88
Step D: $24.44
Step E: $25.07
Step F: $25.67
* Note: Effective the pay period that includes April 1, 2026, a general increase of 3.0% is authorized.Swim Facility Locations: All Park District and partnership swim facilities operate depending on weather, water level, water quality, staffing availability and visitation. All facilities are open water areas with the exception of Ambrose Aquatic Center, Antioch High School, Castle Rock, Deer Valley and Roberts. Specific lifeguard service dates for each facility will be available soon at the Swim Facilities page on EBRPD’s website. Planned aquatic worksites for 2026 are listed below:
- Ambrose Aquatic Center, Pittsburg, CA
- Antioch High School, Antioch, CA / Deer Valley High School, Antioch, CA
- Castle Rock, Diablo Foothills Park, Walnut Creek
- Crown Beach, Alameda
- Cull Canyon, Castro Valley
- Del Valle, East Beach, Livermore
- Del Valle, West Beach, Livermore
- Don Castro, Hayward
- Lake Anza, Tilden Park, Berkeley
- Lake Temescal, Oakland
- Quarry Lakes, Fremont
- Roberts Pool, Oakland
- Shadow Cliffs, Pleasanton
Application materials for this position consist of two (2) required parts:
1. A current East Bay Regional Park District job application submitted online; and
2. Completed Supplemental Questionnaire (included in job application).
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user on the system. If you have previously applied to a recruitment on GovernmentJobs.com, please take care to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have any problems while applying online, please contact the NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.
Selection Process: The application material for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for interview or testing. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment devices before or after the interview process. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment. The individual(s) chosen for hire must be able to pass a background check, District medical examination prior to employment, and continuous skill audits.
**Swim/Physical Test Dates**:
In an effort to keep everyone safe, adherence to all local, state, and federal health orders will be followed throughout all components of the testing. Specific details of the procedures and protocols will be provided prior to any in person activities. Candidates will be required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of these expectations.
NOTE: Testing locations may be subject to change based on availability. Additional testing dates and new locations may become available. More information to be provided at a later date.
- Saturday, 3/14/26 at Buchanan Pool in Pittsburg, CA, 1pm
- Sunday, 3/15/26 at Roberts Pool in Oakland, CA 1pm
- Saturday, 3/21/26 at Granada High School in Livermore, CA 1pm
- Sunday, 3/22/26 at Roberts Pool in Oakland, CA 1pm
- Tuesday, 3/24/26 at Roberts Pool in Oakland, CA, 4pm
* Buchanan Pool is located in Buchanan Park at 4150 Harbor Street, Pittsburg, CA 94565
* Roberts Pool is located in Roberts Regional Recreation Area at 10570 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, CA, 94611
* Granada High School Pool is located on campus at 400 Wall Street, Livermore, CA 94550
NOTE: Testing locations may be subject to change based on availability.
The Swim/Physical Test consists of the following:
- A rescue board carry;
- A timed surface dive/retrieval of ten-pound object;
- Underwater swim to retrieve three (3) dive rings;
- Tread water for two (2) minutes with legs only;
- A timed 550-yard swim in a heated pool.
- Candidates will then review their application materials with a department representative.
Seasonal Hiring Workshop: March 29, 2026
All candidates who pass the swim test are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to attend a seasonal hiring workshop that will take place on March 29, 2026 at Roberts Pool. The workshop will provide an opportunity to take care of pre-employment background processes such as medical examinations, TB test, and LiveScan fingerprinting. Candidates who do not attend this workshop will be responsible for completing these steps on their own. Candidates who do not complete the background steps will not move forward in the recruitment process.
Lifeguard Academy: New Lifeguard candidates are required to participate in the Lifeguard Academy. The Academy is conducted at various District Facilities in the East Bay area. Upon successful completion of the Lifeguard Academy, continued employment as a Lifeguard will be conditional based on District needs. The following American Red Cross certificates will be awarded upon passing the provisional hire status:
- Administering Emergency Oxygen;
- First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22);
- Lifeguarding / First Aid/CPR/AED; and
- Waterfront Skills.
2026 Lifeguard Academy Dates:
All times for each day are 9am—5:30pm.
- Saturday April 18
- Sunday April 19
- Saturday April 25
- Sunday April 26
- Saturday May 2
- Sunday May 3
- Saturday May 9
- Sunday May 10
- Saturday May 16
- Sunday May 17
Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at 510-544-2154 no later than five (5) business days prior to your swim test examination date.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.
Salary : $23