Department:

Emergency Services

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Love the beach and want your work to make a difference? Join Sarasota County’s Beach Lifeguard team and turn your passion for the water into a rewarding opportunity to protect and serve our community.

Spend your days surrounded by the beauty of Sarasota County’s coastline while helping create safe and enjoyable experiences for residents and visitors. As a Beach Lifeguard, you’ll have the opportunity to save lives, respond when it matters most, and make an impact every day.

Starting pay is $20.10/hour (Step 1), with opportunities for professional growth, skill development, and the ability to earn your EMT certification while serving the community.

About the Position

In this role, you will...

• Rescue swimmers in distress. 

• Administer first aid and/or CPR, Automated External Defibrillator, and oxygen administration following appropriate medical protocol.

• May operate County-issued equipment, which includes radios, vehicles, boats, and jet skis, and perform preventative equipment maintenance duties.

• Assist in aquatic programs such as learn-to-swim classes, water safety classes, and special events.

About the Schedule

Work Hours: 

• Beach hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 7 days a week.

• Lifeguards work 40 hours per week, with overtime and flexible shifts available.

About You

Minimum Qualifications: **Must be at least 18 years of age**

• A High School Diploma or its equivalent. 

• Ability to pass the Sarasota County’s Basic Lifeguard Performance Test, which includes: 500-meter pool swim test in 10:00 minutes or less; or the ability to pass the 500-meter pool swim test in 10:00 minutes or less within 30 days of hire. *Note: all applicants must test to be considered for employment.*

• Ability to complete the Lifeguard Training Program Curriculum, CPR certification, and Emergency Medical Response Training. 

• Ability to re-qualify for Sarasota County Basic Lifeguard Performance Test, bi-annually.

• Valid Florida Driver's License or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Preferred Qualification:

• Prior Beach Lifeguard experience or experience with water rescue, lifesaving techniques, CPR, AED, first aid, and emergency response procedures.

• EMT certification. (We can help with this, paid for by the County!)

• Knowledge of beach safety practices, water safety regulations, and techniques for preventing and responding to emergencies.

• Ability to remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively with the public, and work independently or as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Demands: 

• Ability to frequently lift more than 50 pounds and regularly lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

• This position works outdoors, and during a red tide, there may be fumes/airborne particles. 

• There is also a risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. 

Subject to Passing Substance Screening:  This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.  An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five years.

CJIS Clearance: The successful candidate will be subject to an extensive background check(s) as part of the hiring process.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay Range: $20.10/hour (Step 1)

• Potentially higher with prior open water lifeguarding experience.

• $1.50/hour pay additive with current and valid State of Florida EMT-B Certification.

Interviews: Qualified candidates may be invited to complete Sarasota County’s Basic Lifeguard Performance Test. Upon successful completion of the Performance Test, candidates may be invited to an in-person interview.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.