2021 Sea Bright Ocean Rescue
2021 recruitment
We Are Hiring!!
Positions open for River/Ocean Lifeguard, Ocean Rescue Specialist-EMT, and Lifeguard Sergeant.
Check back over the next few weeks for this season's ocean and river lifeguard opportunities.
Please be safe and healthy.
2021 Candidate Screening
COVID-19 and Our Hiring Process
The COVID-19 pandemic has created several hurdles for lifeguard services in the mid-Atlantic region. Available pool space for candidate screening is at a premium and near impossible to secure. As a solution Sea Bright's ranked lifeguards have developed an acceptable solution , a testing day we call "Selection."
SBOR will be running all of the traditional swim screening events for candidates on the first day of rookie training in May. Beginning with the core 500 meter timed swim test, the candidate will progress through a series of water confidence stations throughout the morning. By the time the afternoon arrives only those candidates that have passed the morning evolutions will train for the rest of the day as rookie lifeguards.
But first you must pass the in-person screening interview in April.
Candidate Screening and Interview
Applicants must first apply for the position. Once the application is submitted a detailed in-person interview with ocean rescue command staff will be scheduled for April. For supervisor or rescue team candidates, this stage in the process will also include medical skills testing and a written exam. The applicant must submit a 500 meter swim avedavet and all of their current licenses and certifications if invited to the interview. If the applicant meets the minimum standards they will be preliminarily hired contingent on Selection and swim testing.
Applicants with the following qualifications may be given preference for hiring
1. Ability to work until the end of summer Labor Day
2. Former Sea Bright "Nipper" Junior Lifeguard
3. Nationally Registered or state certified EMT or Paramedic
4. Previous ocean lifeguarding experience
No preference for hiring is given to race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation , or age above 16 years old.
Selection: You're not hired yet! Swim Test and Basic Rescue Skills Comprehension
The candidate will attend an all day testing process in May. This is a progressive test starting with the following -
Morning Module- Pool Competency:
1. 500 meter swim completed in < 10 minutes
2. 50 yard sprint completed in < 40 seconds
3. Underwater Swim < 45 seconds
Because of our program's proclivity for Code-X under water search and rescue, candidates must be comfortable underwater! Test- one breath then swim 25-yards underwater, then surface and sprint back to starting point completed in <45 seconds
A candidate may retest one event. if they fail they will not be allowed to continue with the test or employment as an ocean/river lifeguard
Afternoon Module: Open Water Confidence
The candidate will continue the day with open water confidence training including a 1000 meter paddle. The rest of the afternoon will include lessons in open water rescue and aquatic medical skills training. By the end of the day those remaining are officially rookie lifeguards and will complete the rest of training as such.
THE HOURS SPENT IN SELECTION COUNT TOWARDS THE ROOKIE'S TOTAL TRAINING HOURS
**The trainee must have their Fitness for Duty cleared by a physician as well as a negative COVID test 72 hours before attending Selection .
Overview of Rookie School
Rookie Selection and Training
Rookie Test (Ocean Qualification)
Rookie Selection and Training
Trainees will participate in over 36 hours of aquati rescue and medical skills training during this phase of training including basic and advanced open water lifesaving procedures. Some of the more unique training includes rescue watercraft (jetski) awareness, underwater search and rescue as well as river and swiftwater rescue, sand-ho
Trainees will participate in over 36 hours of aquati rescue and medical skills training during this phase of training including basic and advanced open water lifesaving procedures. Some of the more unique training includes rescue watercraft (jetski) awareness, underwater search and rescue as well as river and swiftwater rescue, sand-hole collapse. Every module will incorporate real-life rescue and medical scenario training including missing swimmer and drowning resusciation incident re-creation. .
This phase of training will also require the rookie to attend over 26 hours of medical and resusciation training focused on incidents that occur in the aquatic environment .
Those trainees that complete all of the Rookie Training modules in this phase will advance to Field Training.
Field Training
Rookie Test (Ocean Qualification)
Rookie Selection and Training
During this phase of training, rookies will spend around 40 hours (5 shifts) on a lifeguard stand learning the tradecraft of protecting both our river and oceanfront beaches. Trainees will work under the tutelage of Sea Bright's senior lifeguards and lifeguard instructors . Rookies will never work alone while in this phase of training.
During this phase of training, rookies will spend around 40 hours (5 shifts) on a lifeguard stand learning the tradecraft of protecting both our river and oceanfront beaches. Trainees will work under the tutelage of Sea Bright's senior lifeguards and lifeguard instructors . Rookies will never work alone while in this phase of training. Rookies will apply what they have learned in the classroom while working on the beach. The rookie's performance will be closely monitored and evaluated culminating with an end-of-shift de-brief and detailed documentation, every shift.
Physical conditioning drills including numerous hours spent paddling and swimming in the Atlantic ocean will be spread through all aspects of training.
Rookie Test (Ocean Qualification)
Rookie Test (Ocean Qualification)
Rookie Test (Ocean Qualification)
After completing over 100 hours of training the rookie will be invited to test for their Ocean Rescue Patch: The Rookie Test is an all day event pushing the trainee's ability to respond to both medical and water rescue emergencies. Rookies must pass the following events:
- 500 m ocean swim completed < 10 min
- 400 m run-swim-run comp < 6
After completing over 100 hours of training the rookie will be invited to test for their Ocean Rescue Patch: The Rookie Test is an all day event pushing the trainee's ability to respond to both medical and water rescue emergencies. Rookies must pass the following events:
- 500 m ocean swim completed < 10 min
- 400 m run-swim-run comp < 6 min
- 1000 m paddle completed < 12 min
- Lifethreat medical Scenario
- Water rescue scenario
- Drowning resuscitation scenario (CPR w/AED)
- Written Lifeguard Operations Test passing score 75%
Lifeguard Employment FAQ's
Do I have to have lifeguard certification to get a job?
Yes (medical) CPR and 1st Aid
Only first aid and CPR certifications are required before the first day of Rookie School.
Pool lifeguard certifications (Red Cross or Ellis) are not required. All open water (ocean) lifesaving and swift water (river rescue) training is provided by the borough free of charge to the trainee however they are not paid to attend.
Lifeguards with work experience attached to a USLA certified agency are highly encouraged to apply. These experienced lifeguards will be required to complete an abbreviated rookie training process.
How much money will I earn as a lifeguard?
Rookies earn typically between $12.00 to $18.50 an hour depending on EMT certification and past ocean lifeguard experience as well as rank and tenure. Raises are given to recurrent lifeguards every season they return to the beach.
What is the work schedule of a new lifeguard?
Lifeguards work up to 40 hours per week on a staggered schedule. All lifeguards are expected to be available for work on all major summer holidays when beach crowds are at their peak level.
Full time schedules are awarded according to ranking upon completion of the Rookie Test. The higher the ranking the better the schedule.
Candidates who are able to work the entire lifeguard season (until Labor day) will be considered first for employment and first for a full time schedule as long as minimum testing standards are met.
How long is Rookie School and do I get paid for training?
Rookie School is a minimum of 70 hours in duration. Per the USLA minimum training standards, the lifeguard trainee has 30 days to finish all pre-service training. The new hire lifeguard must take the Rookie Test within 30 days of the first day of Rookie School.
New hires will not be paid during the selection and training phases however they are paid for their field training shifts should they progress to that phase of instruction.
Professional uniforms, books, rescue fins and certification cards are all issued by the boro at no cost to the Rookie new hire.
How should a candidate prepare for the swim test?
Swim and swim a lot. Masters swim club/team is the best way to prepare for the Physical Assessment .
What are the minimum qualifications to apply for a lifeguard job?
1. 16 years old minimum, no maximum age
2. Physically fit for duty and medically cleared for the job as an ocean lifeguard
3. Pass the New Hire Physical Assessment
4. Complete an interview with ocean rescue supervisors
5. Turn in completed Sea Bright Boro application prior to the Physical Assessment.