This is an open continuous announcement, in which applications are collected over several months, and have multiple cut-off dates. Applications received by the initial cutoff date will be considered first. **INITIAL CUT OFF IS Wednesday, January 7, 2026** Applications will be considered throughout the open period of the announcement however additional referral certificates will only be issued when a hiring official exhausts current certificate and/or additional vacancies need to be filled.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-03/31/2026-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. SELECTIVE FACTORS: OCEAN LIFEGUARDING: These positions are responsible for training staff in ocean/surf lifeguard skills. At least 90 days of experience working as an ocean lifeguard is required. Candidates who do not show they meet this requirement in their application documents will receive no further consideration for this position. - AND - CERTIFICATIONS: Due to the critical nature of these positions and the impact on visitor health and safety, current and valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic First Aid Certifications (or higher Emergency Medical Responder certification) are required. Candidates who do not show they meet this requirement in their application documents will receive no further consideration for this position. -AND- 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: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Leading lifeguard operations during supervisor absences, including assigning tasks and ensuring adherence to safety protocols. Conducting ocean surf rescues and providing emergency medical care at the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) level or higher. Operating off-road vehicles (ATVs) for emergency response and patrol duties. Training lifeguard staff in personal safety, equipment use, EMS procedures, and surf rescue techniques. Coordinating search and rescue operations, including handling missing persons cases. Monitoring beach safety, enforcing regulations, and using signage and flag systems to manage public behavior. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in courses related to 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. Combining Experience and Education: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience are also qualifying. The combinations described below are those most typical for these positions, i.e., for grades GS-3 through GS-5. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. (When crediting education, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.) For GS-5 level positions, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. Determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5. To qualify for this position at the GS-06 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-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Supervising district lifeguard operations, including setting priorities, assigning work, and managing schedules. Evaluating staff performance, approving leave, resolving personnel issues, and recommending personnel actions (e.g., promotions, reassignments). Developing and conducting training programs for lifeguard staff in EMS, surf rescue, equipment care, and communication systems. Managing emergency procedures, ensuring team readiness, and overseeing complex rescue operations. Inspecting and maintaining rescue equipment, ensuring operational readiness and compliance with safety standards. Overseeing public safety enforcement, including regulating visitor activity, responding to incidents, and maintaining documentation. -OR- EDUCATION: I have successfully completed at least one full year of graduate education or internship in an accredited educational institution. NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. 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.
The primary goals of the lifeguard operation are to prevent drowning within the designated lifeguard area, to provide appropriate medical care for ill and injured visitors and to respond appropriately to incidents outside of the lifeguard area. These positions serve as Lead Surf Lifeguards at one of two protected beach units, in the Maryland or Virginia district. The purpose of these positions are to provide protection for visitors and the resources. The GS-5 Lead Recreation Assistant (Lead Surf Lifeguard) assist with leadership and operations but do not have full supervisory responsibilities. Leadership and Oversight: Leads district lifeguard operations in the absence of the Head Lifeguard, ensuring staff follow protocols, assigning daily tasks, and supporting training in safety, EMS, and equipment use. Emergency Response and Visitor Safety: Performs ocean rescues, provides emergency medical care, coordinates search and rescue operations, and supervises visitor safety through enforcement actions and public education. Public Education and Communication: Conducts surf and weather assessments, posts safety data, and delivers interpretive presentations to educate visitors on surf hazards, park rules, and wildlife interaction. Documentation and Equipment Management: Maintains statistical records, documents incidents, oversees equipment inspections and inventory, and ensures all gear is operational and properly stored. Operational Support: Assists with seasonal setup and breakdown of lifeguard operations, performs minor equipment repairs, and travels between park locations as needed. The GS-6 Supervisory Recreation Assistant (Head Surf Lifeguard) have greater supervisory authority, including setting priorities, evaluating staff, and managing resources. District Supervision and Leadership: Oversees daily lifeguard operations, sets work priorities, assigns tasks, evaluates performance, approves leave, and provides coaching, training, and disciplinary input for district staff. Emergency Response and Visitor Safety: Supervises beach visitors, enforces safety protocols, performs ocean rescues, provides emergency medical care, and leads search and rescue operations using off-road vehicles. Public Education and Communication: Conducts surf safety presentations, educates visitors on park rules and wildlife interaction, and communicates surf and weather conditions to the public and staff. Equipment and Resource Management: Inspects, maintains, and repairs lifeguard and first aid equipment, ensures readiness, and monitors beach areas for hazards, correcting or reporting deficiencies. Administrative and Operational Support: Maintains inventories, documents incidents and operations, manages lost-and-found procedures, and assists with seasonal setup and breakdown of lifeguard infrastructure. Physical Demands: The duties affiliated with this position are considered rigorous; as such, the incumbent will be required to meet prescribed medical standards prior to employment in accordance with RM-57. The work requires daily strenuous physical exertion including running ½ mile or more with heavy rescue equipment, swimming long distances against currents and strong surf with heavy victims in tow and lifting and carrying heavy persons through large breaking waves. The incumbent will be using various rescue devices such as rescue fins, rescue kayaks and rescue paddleboards in the ocean surf zone environment where they may be paddling, swimming, and kayaking long distances through large breaking waves to execute effective rescues. The employee is required to exhibit an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye or best corrected (contact lenses or spectacles) visual acuity of 20/20 or better. The work of the employee regularly includes long periods of sitting, standing, and running over uneven terrain. The employee will also be driving ATVs in adverse weather conditions. The duties of the position require daily running and swimming and the employee must meet the prescribed physical requirements as measured by a timed swim of 500 yards in less than 10 minutes and a run of 1.25 miles in 12 minutes or less. Strenuous exertion is required in search and rescue operations. Work Environment: While some work may be performed in an office setting, most of the work is performed outdoors where the incumbent can be subjected to weather variances such as extreme heat or cold, rainy conditions, and high UV indexes, cold water temperatures, large waves and marine organisms. The employee can be exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations in emergency type I situations requiring the use of a wide range of personal protective gear. Emergency operations will require entry into hazardous environments, exposure to dangerous persons, animals, substances, and potential exposure to infectious diseases. The terrain can be uneven and consists of soft or hard packed sand mixed with seashells and other debris.