Job Title: Lifeguard (2025 Summer Season)
Location: Dewey Beach Lifesaving Station
Department: Beach Patrol
Hours: Seasonal
Job Description:
The mission of the USLA and the Dewey Beach Patrol is to establish high standards for open water (beach) lifeguards, to educate the public, and to promote actions intended to result in saving of human life in and around the marine environment.
In order to maintain high standards and exemplary performance, all members of the Dewey Beach Patrol must undergo rigorous physical training and educational coursework. The DBP is nationally accredited by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) to certify its members in open water rescue. Each guard is certified as: (1) an Emergency First Responder by the Delaware State Fire School, (2) as a Health Care Provider by the American Heart Association; and (3) as an open water rescue lifeguard through the USLA (Appendix A). First year lifeguards are required to complete a minimum of twenty-one (21) days of rookie training that includes intense physical conditioning and the completion of the annual rookie test. In addition, the DBP is a standing member of the Sussex County Lifesaving Association (SCLA). All lifeguards must continuously complete routine training in CPR, standard first aid and c-spine injury stabilization.
The DBP safeguards Dewey Beach on a daily basis from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Extended season duty typically applies. Operational duties begin at 9:00 AM for roll call, briefing and training. The lifeguards sign on at 10 AM sharp, clear the water at 4:57 pm and sign off at 5:00 pm unless an active response is in progress.
REQUIREMENTS OF ALL DBP MEMBERS
1. Must be at least 16 years of age.
2. Must submit a physical examination report certified by a physician or a nurse practitioner that indicates that there are no physical defects or health conditions that may disqualify the applicant from performing strenuous and stressful activity. Applicant must be in excellent physical condition. Rookie workouts and veteran workouts are mandatory and strenuous. Beach conditions are dangerous at times.
3. Submit a completed application and personnel documents to the Human Resource Director prior to commencement of duty.
4. Must demonstrate completion documentation of an Adult and Infant CPR, AED, and First Aid training certification course, of no less than 21 hours, approved by the State of Delaware.
5. Complete a pre-employment physical test. Required before Captain’s interview. Test dates for 2025 are 3/23, 3/30 and 4/6. The test consists of the following:
a. 1-mile run (on the beach)
b. 500 meters swim in ten (10) minutes or less
c. 1-220-yard dash sprint
d. Rescue Simulations and aptitude testing
e. Pull-ups (Standard grip)
f. Push-ups (Until failure)
g. 2-25-yard sprint swims (rescue simulations for live victim cross chest rescue and buoy rescue).
6. Maintain all required certifications and training requirements.
7. Maintain the American Heart Association (AHA) approved curriculum for Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification or equal.
8. All lifeguards are required to meet and maintain the Delaware State Fire School Emergency Medical Responder certification, a course equivalent to the DOT Emergency Medical Response course, EMT, or higher certification. An accredited first responder’s course certification is required for every beach patrol member. This certification may be acquired in-house on an annual basis.
9. Complete interview with Captain.
10. Provide a copy of your driver’s license and social security card and other essential documents to the Human Resource Director.
11. Complete a drug screening (tradition).
12. Complete a criminal history check.
13. All new open water lifeguards shall successfully complete a minimum of 48- hours of open water rescue training (USLA). All recurring or returning lifeguards must complete at least 16-hours of refresher training annually. All new and returning lifeguards must complete a written beach patrol/U.S.L.A. exam – 80% minimum required for a passing grade.
14. Complete swim test policy. Each lifeguard must successfully and effectively complete an annual 500meter (in 10 minutes or less), 200-meter, 1 mile and 50- meter timed swim test, prior to the start of each season. Each first-year lifeguard will be required to complete the “Rookie Test” after completing 23 approved training hours.
15. Complete a town sponsored “Sensitivity in the Workplace” training session.
16. Become familiar with the Open Water Rescue and Incident Command Compunctions Protocols in Appendix F pg. 6 of the Dewey Beach Patrol Handbook.