Job Description

Job Description and Duties

LIFEGUARD I (SEASONAL) – GOLD FIELDS DISTRICT / FOLSOM LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA

“Priority consideration will be given to any person receiving State public assistance under the CalWORKs program. Applicants who receive State public assistance need to identify their status as a CalWORKs recipient in the comments area on the application. Applicants must submit a verification of their CalWORKs eligibility status, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing TANF eligibility or a copy of your last aid check stub. If verification is not submitted with the application, the application will not be processed. (Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program).”

The Lifeguard I (Seasonal) reporting location is Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, located at 7755 Folsom-Auburn Rd., Folsom, CA 95630. The Seasonal Lifeguard I work under the immediate supervision of the State Park Peace Officer Supervisor (Ranger) and under the direction of the Seasonal Lifeguard II, or on-duty State Park Peace Officer.

Seasonal Lifeguard duties include detecting and performing aquatic rescues on the beach and in the lake, assisting persons and vessels in distress, performing medical aides and resuscitation measures per DPR protocols and procedures, and preventing aquatic emergencies by making safety contacts and identifying hazards. Seasonal lifeguards may take incident command during aquatic emergencies, notify peace officers of observed criminal activity, notify supervisors of park incidents, prepare reports, contact visitors, communicate rules and regulations, and provide education and interpretation. The seasonal lifeguard may also operate the patrol truck, patrol vessel and personal watercraft.

Peak season dates are May 1 st through September 30 th and Seasonal Lifeguards are expected to work most weekends and holidays during this timeframe. Schedules are written monthly, and hours vary based on operational need.

This position can work 189 days in a 12 consecutive month period or a maximum of 1500 hours within 12 consecutive months per California Code of Regulation  . This position is designated as not telework eligible.

The selected candidate is required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting prior to appointment.

This position requires a valid Class C driver’s license. You must answer the questions addressing your driver’s license on your application. Ensure you provide your driver’s license number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions on your application.

State housing is not available.   For further information regarding this position, please contact Ryan Steele at 916-988-0205 or  ryan.steele@parks.ca.gov .

Per California Code of Regulations (CCR)  , this is a sensitive position, and therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing. It should be noted that testing is not mandatory, but is allowed to be conducted only if and when there is a determination of reasonable suspicion as defined in CCR  .

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The seasonal Lifeguard I duty locations are the Lifeguard Towers/Vehicles/Vessels/Dispatch and any other area in or about Folsom Lake SRA as assigned by the lead person or supervisor. The seasonal Lifeguard I may work under adverse weather not limited to extreme heat/cold, wind, rain, lightning, and dynamic aquatic conditions. The seasonal Lifeguard I may be required to respond to environmental emergencies outside their normal working environment. The seasonal Lifeguard I must be willing to work within crowded conditions during hours/days of high park visitation.  

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Applicants must be 16 years or older by the start of Lifeguard training (June 2026) and must have a social security card. Please bring your driver’s license and social security card with you to the swim test. Failure to meet these requirements will automatically disqualify candidates from the hiring process. This position is subject to a live scan fingerprint clearance.

In addition to the above requirements, in order to qualify for a seasonal Lifeguard I position, a competitive open water swim test is required. Candidates under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guard during the swim test.

The open water swim tests are scheduled as followed:

Swim test #1:

-Location: Folsom Lake State Recreation Area/Granite Bay Day Use, Douglas Blvd. Granite Bay

-Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026

-Time: 10:00am

Swim test #2:

-Location: Folsom Lake State Recreation Area/Granite Bay Day Use, Douglas Blvd. Granite Bay

-Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026

-Time: 10:00am  

*Please note, candidates are required to pass one swim test only.

All applicants must successfully complete an official tryout by the end of the filing date and include our department tryout link ()

Once the candidate has successfully passed the swim test, a same-day interview will be conducted. If the candidate is selected after interview, they will be required to complete same day hiring paperwork and training. Interested candidates should expect the entire process to take approximately 4 to 6 hours on the swim test day.

If hired, Seasonal Lifeguards will complete a paid one-day orientation/on-boarding, followed by a paid 80-hour training program before being assigned to park duties. This training program will take place at the end of June 2026.

DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.)

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Additional Instructions

If submitting your completed Application Package by mail or hand delivery, you  must include the Position # 549-696-0993-901and the Job Control #  JC-511031in the “Examination or Job Title for which you are applying” section on the STD. 678. 

Note:  If you are applying for multiple positions, you  must complete a STD. 678 for each position separately.  Incomplete applications or applications received with multiple positions listed on one application will not be considered.

Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Job Tags

Seasonal work, Immediate start, Remote work

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