Lifeguard Jobs Open With Parks Service

Rigorous Physical Test Key In Filling More Than 100 Positions

 

The National Park Service has dozens of positions open for Lifeguards at Federal parks in Queens and Staten Island.

The exam is free. Accepted Lifeguards are placed at Jacob Riis Park in Queens, Great Kills Park in Staten Island and Sandy Hook, New Jersey. In New York and New Jersey, more than 100 Lifeguards will be hired for the summer 2009 season.

Testing Schedule

Strong female and male swimmers are encouraged to take the pre-employment test scheduled locally to qualify for jobs. Lifeguards with the National Park Service work five eight-hour days each week. Hourly pay for these lifeguard jobs will range from $13.19 to $22.73 per hour.

Testing has already begun. To be hired by May 10, applicants must be tested by March 29. To be hired by June 7, they must be tested by April 19. Tests are held in both New York and New Jersey.

Applicants for these positions do not need prior lifeguard experience, but they must pass a five-part preemployment performance test. First, applicants must swim 600 yards in under 10 minutes. Second, in less than four minutes, they must perform a simulated rescue, swimming 50 yards to retrieve a 150-pound dummy, towing that dummy 50 yards, getting out of the water and carrying the dummy 50 feet, then perform rescue breathing on a CPR-training mannequin for a minute.

Third, they must swim underwater for 125 feet, surfacing exactly four times. Fourth, they must break free from the grip of another person underwater. Finally, they must run one and a half miles in under 12 minutes.

In addition to passing all five parts of the performance test in one test session, applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old on the day of appointment. They must also meet applicable civil service requirements. Preference is given to qualified veterans. Applicants without prior lifeguard experience who are hired will be put through a full training program.

To pre-register for the test, call tollfree 1-800-678-7946. On-line applications are not currently accepted.