Seasonal Recreation Aid/Assistant (Lifeguard)

Full Job Description

These positions are located in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, in the Division of Visitor and Resource Protection. This is an open continuous vacancy announcement.

Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement.

The first cut-off date is 11:59 pm (EST), January 12, 2026. Please see the "Next Steps" section for additional cut off dates.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-01/26/2026-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 FACTOR: This position performs ocean lifeguarding duties, and a nationally recognized lifeguard certification issued by United States Lifesaving Association or American Red Cross, or a similar certification agency, is required.

You must provide a legible copy (front & back) of the certificate with your application package.

Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.

-AND- To qualify for this position at the GS-03 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least six months of general experience.

General experience is any type of work that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position; OR is experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

You must include hours worked per week in your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of 1 year of study above high school.

If you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above.

A combination of education and general experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the total computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements for experience, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 6.

To compute the percentage of the requirements for education divide your total amount of semester hours by 30 or quarter hours by 45. Add the percentages together.

The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. You must include hours worked per week in your resume.

To qualify for this position at the GS-04 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least six months of general experience AND six months of specialized experience.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Group leader, counselor, or similar work in public and private recreation programs for adults or children such as summer camps, local playgrounds, YWCA and YMCA clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, urban community centers, or resort recreational activities.

Teacher's aid in elementary school recreation or physical education program, with emphasis on development of general recreational skills and abilities.

Aid or assistant assignments in recreation while on active military service.

Aid or assistant in the organization and administration of recreation activities, such as preparing activities calendars, maintaining attendance records, and providing information concerning schedules and activities.

Summer aid in a State or national park, with duties related to the recreational activities of visitors to campsites, trails, picnic areas, nature and raft centers, and boating and fishing areas (e.g., demonstrating camping techniques and park safety, conducting nature tours, and overseeing farm animal areas provided for children).

Sales or stock clerk in a recreation supplies and equipment shop.

Aid or assistant in the issuance of authorized property, and in the maintenance of inventory control and accountability for such property in a recreation facility.

Aid or assistant in a hotel or resort recreation service, with duties such as setting up areas for games, tournaments, and other organized group recreational activities.

You must include hours worked per week in your resume.

-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of two years (60 semester hours) of education above high school with at least 12 semester hours in any combination of related courses related to recreation (e.g., basic psychology, group dynamics, physical education, arts and crafts).

If you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above.

A combination of education and general and specialized experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements for experience, divide your total months of qualifying general experience by 6 and your total months of qualifying specialized experience by 6.

To compute the percentage of the requirements for education divide your total amount of semester hours by 60 or quarter hours by 90. You must include hours worked per week in your resume.

You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

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.

CTAP/ICTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection.

Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP.

This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible.

If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.

Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001). Major Duties:

The Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY seasonal positions not to exceed 1039 hours work in a service year.

Dates of employment will vary depending on funding, weather conditions and visitation.

Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending on work availability and funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty for these positions is April, 2026.

Major Duties include: Performs as an open water/ocean lifeguard. Meets United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) standards for a Seasonal Open Water Lifeguard.

Ensures all aquatic rescue and emergency equipment is maintained and stored. Responds to a wide variety of emergency search and rescue situations.

Assists with the instruction and supervision of Volunteer in the Park (VIP) program. Provides visitors information.

Assists Law Enforcement staff with enforcement of rules and regulations to designated aquatic areas and resource protection. Educates visitors about life habits and behavior of Park fauna.

Provides informal and formal interpretive and information services to the general public and special interest groups concerning area marine resources and aquatic safety services.

Prepares Case Incident reports. Assists other agencies. Conducts traffic control for vehicle accidents. Complies with OSHA programs within the park.

Pre-employment medical required for new hires or those who have not had one in 3 years.

Physical fitness requirement as per RM-57, United States Lifesaving Association, American Red Cross, and other applicable guidelines must be met prior to and on a continuing basis during employment.

Successfully completes pre-employment test demonstrating adequate physical strength and stamina to perform rigorous duties of an open water lifeguard.

Demonstrates the ability to swim 500 meters (550 yards) over a measures course in ten minutes. There is a high-stress component to much of the incumbent's work assignment.

The employee is frequently exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations in emergency types of situations requiring use of a wide range of personal protective gear (some of which may be uncomfortable, wet, or inconvenient to wear), adherence to specific safety procedures and other precautions.

Physical Demands: The work of the incumbent regularly includes long periods of sitting, standing, swimming, paddling, hiking and/or climbing, in many cases on steep, rough, slippery, and/or rugged terrain.

Strenuous exertion is frequently required in lifesaving, search and rescue, medical and related emergency activities.

Lifting or carrying equipment weighing over 50 pounds, such as lifesaving or search and rescue equipment, is required.

In some assignments, heavy packs may have to be carried long distances over mountainous, coastal, or cliff terrain.

Duties involve performing physically rigorous assignments, oftentimes in isolated outdoor hazardous environments, frequently while exposed to severe weather conditions.

Panicked victim(s) must be physically confronted, subdued, rescued and returned to shore. Victims may be restrained to ensure Park visitor and employee safety.

Duties require manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip and knee joints.

Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that incumbent may perform the duties satisfactorily.

Working Conditions: While some work may be performed in an office setting, most of the work is performed outdoors in all kinds of weather and climatic conditions.

The work is performed at various hours of the day and night and for prolonged periods during emergency situations.

The employee is frequently exposed to high risk and potentially dangerous situations in emergency types of situations requiring use of a wide range of personal protective gear (some of which may be uncomfortable, wet, or inconvenient to wear), adherence to specific safety procedures and other precautions.

Emergency operations require entry into hazardous environments, exposure to dangerous persons, animals, substances and potential exposure to infectious disease.

Visit Golden Gate National Recreation Area for additional park information and Stinson Beach for position location specific information.