Sarasota County Beach Lifeguard - $19.56/hr + Earn Your EMT Certification On Us!

Lifeguard Position

Emergency Services

Have you ever dreamed of being a lifeguard on the beautiful beaches of Sarasota County? If so, this is your opportunity to join our team! Starting pay rate of $19.56/hour, along with opportunities for growth and development. Earn your EMT certification with us! An average day consists of keeping the beach safe and assisting the public with beach condition information. You will complete incident and daily operational reports.

Responsibilities include:

• 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.

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.

Minimum qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High School Diploma or its equivalent.
• Ability to pass and re-qualify (biannually), Sarasota County's Basic Lifeguard Performance Test, which includes:
• ½ mile run (4:00 minute time limit).
• 500-meter pool swim (10:00-minute time limit).
• 200-yard beach run with 50-yard swim rescue (4:00-minute time limit).
• 100-yard board rescue (4:00 minute time limit) (those with prior open water experience only).
• Ability to complete the Lifeguard Training Program Curriculum, CPR certification, and First Responder Training certification (paid for by the County).
• Valid Florida Driver's License at time of hire, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Preferred qualification: EMT certification (paid for by the County).

Physical demands:

• Must regularly lift and/or move 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.

Special note: This position works where children regularly congregate, and in accordance with Florida Statutes, applicants must pass a criminal sexual predator and sexual offender background check. This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.

Starting pay range: $19.56/hour. Potentially higher with prior open water lifeguarding experience. $1.50 per hour pay additive with current and valid State of Florida EMT-B Certification.

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