*The salary shown in the job description is the full range for this position from entry to later career. New Employees are hired at, or near the entry point shown, depending on qualification and relevant experience. *

Public Safety Department
Beach Patrol & Water Safety Division

2651 - Gulf Drive South
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

40-hour work week to include weekends and holidays, 9-5 during winter and 9-7 during summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day)

Providing quality customer service to our citizens, business owners and visitors is Manatee County Government’s top priority, and that starts with our employees. We value Accountability, Civility, and Ethics in everything we do, and we look for friendly, innovative employees who share those values.
Our mission is to serve with excellence by providing services that protect the lives and property of those who live in, work in, and visit Manatee County.

The Manatee County Public Safety Department consists of six divisions each serving a special purpose or function to ensure the safety of our citizens and to preserve or enhance the quality of life in the County. The Public Safety Department works daily with citizens, elected officials and other county law enforcement and fire agencies toward these ends. The common thread among these Public Safety divisions is that they respond directly to the needs of the citizens of Manatee County, often for emergencies and sometimes for routine community services.

Beach Lifeguard I - Serves as a primary observer and supervises the activities of bathers; keeps close check on ocean and weather conditions to identify potential dangers. Initiates or assists with the rescue of patrons on the beach and/or in the water; administers first aid or life saving techniques as indicated; dispatches emergency vehicles. Participates in on-going training programs for Beach Lifeguard personnel. Applies working knowledge of County codes, ordinances, and enforcement procedures; enforces same impartially through professional firmness and tact. Works independently, or as a team member, and carries out duties with minimal direction; thinks and acts quickly, calmly and appropriately in emergency situations and under stressful conditions. Completes accurate patient care reports, records and other reports as required. Administration of appropriate patient care at Department approved status (EMR or EMT) and as defined by Florida State Statute, in all emergency medical situations provides on-scene emergency medical care including basic patient assessments, hemorrhage control, basic airway control, and provides for the comfort of the patient both physically and mentally. This administration of care shall be based upon the Department medical protocols and any other polices and/or procedures set forth by the Department. Must complete and maintain departmental guidelines related to swimming proficiency which includes a time standard over a specified distance. The worker is subject to extended swimming over great distances at a variety of speeds and to immersion in a variety of aquatic environments for prolonged periods with little or no floatation or protective clothing.

Manatee County strives to be an employer of choice and most of our employees turn jobs into long term careers with great benefits.

• 
  Comprehensive benefits package – Your Choice Manatee Health Plan
• Generous vacation/sick leave, 11 paid holidays
• Florida Retirement System (FRS)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Autonomy to grow and find your career path with supportive leadership
• NOTE: FRS Retirement Class: Special Risk for EMT License, with $1.00 per hr. incentive for EMT license, with $1.00 per hr. incentive for Rescue Diver certification.

What You Will Do

• 
  performs job duties as a Personal Rescue Craft (PRC) Rescuer in a water rescue emergency and actively responds to emergency calls on Manatee County Beaches. Actively trains to become a PRC Patrol/Surf Operator under the supervision of command staff.
• Observes and supervises the activities of bathers; keeps close check on ocean and weather conditions to identify potential dangers.
• Initiates or assists with the rescue of patrons on the beach and/or in the water; administers first aid or life saving techniques as indicated; dispatches emergency vehicles.
• Administration of appropriate patient care at Department approved status (First Responder/EMR or EMT) and as defined by Florida State Statute, in all emergency medical situations provides on-scene emergency medical care including basic patient assessments, hemorrhage control, basic airway control, and provides for the comfort of the patient both physically and mentally. This administration of care shall be based upon the Department medical protocols and any other polices and/or procedures set forth by the Department.
• Participates in on-going training programs for Beach Lifeguard personnel.
• Maintains log of daily procedures; oversees maintenance of equipment and inventory of supplies.
• Applies working knowledge of County codes, ordinances, and enforcement procedures; enforces same impartially through professional firmness and tact.
• Works independently, or as a team member, and carries out duties with minimal direction; thinks and acts quickly, calmly and appropriately in emergency situations and under stressful conditions.
• Completes accurate patient care reports, records and other reports as required.
• Performs other related work (including weather or other extreme emergency duties) as required.

• Ability to learn approved water safety and lifesaving methods and practices.
• Ability to learn advance first aid practices and procedures. CPR and First Aid Certifications are preferred.
• Ability in swimming and rescuing endangered persons in the ocean.
• Ability to recognize developing dangerous situations and to take effective action.
• Ability to maintain courteous and effective relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Ability to perform rigorous physical activity and to work for long periods of time under adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry patients weighing in excess of 150 pounds, with assistance, without causing harm or aggravating injuries to the patient
• Ability to learn how to use rescue, first aid, and lifesaving techniques and equipment in the open ocean environment and on land.
• Skill in swimming and in paddling rescue boards in the ocean environment.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize radio communications in a concise and articulate manner
• Ability to perform rigorous physical activity and to work for long periods of time under adverse weather conditions.
• Must complete and maintain departmental guidelines related to swimming proficiency which includes a time standard over a specified distance. The worker is subject to extended swimming over great distances at a variety of speeds and to immersion in a variety of aquatic environments for prolonged periods with little or no floatation or protective clothing.

• High school diploma or equivalent Certificate of Competency.
• Minimum of three months' experience as a professional lifeguard is desired.
• Must be able to demonstrate successfully 50 meters of each of the following swim strokes in a pool: Freestyle, Breaststroke, Sidestroke and Backstroke.
• Must be able to run ½ mile in 3:30 minutes or less, swim 500 meters in open water in 10 minutes or less and demonstrate a non-equipment rescue of an active, panicked victim from 100 meters off-shore.
• Must be able to demonstrate paddling a rescue board approximately 200 meters.
• Must be able to acquire and maintain American Heart Association CPR certification within 30 days of hire date.
• Must pass Lifeguard skills test of rescue techniques within 3 weeks of hire date. EMT and Open Water scuba certification desired within one year of hire date..
• Must possess Emergency Management Institute/FEMA certificates for ICS (Incident Command System) 100.b, 200.b, 700.a, 800.b within 1 year of hire date.
• Valid driver's license required with valid Florida driver's license obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

• Driver’s License
• Ability to accurately obtain patient vital signs including pulse, respirations and auscultated blood pressure; ability to determine skin conditions and colors; ability to perform basic patient assessments.

• Swimming and rescuing endangered persons in the ocean.
• Rescue, first aid, and lifesaving techniques and equipment.
• CPR and other medical services under varied conditions.