You're well on your way to joining the hundreds of other highly motivated individuals that the Long Beach Township Beach Patrol has employed.
The first step is to fill out and return the employment application. Please mark lower left hand corner of envelope “Lifeguard Application”.
Applications are due as soon as possible for new lifeguards and by Saturday, May 22nd, for veteran lifeguards. Veteran lifeguards will not be guaranteed a lifeguard position if applications are received after May 22nd, and if the swim test is taken after May 22nd.
Competition for ocean lifeguard positions at LBTBP will be strong this year. Swim test times, background checks, interviews as needed, etc. will be used to determine whom is offered a position as a LBTBP ocean lifeguard.
Do not wait until the last minute to complete your application requirements and to take your swim test!
If you are currently Emergency Response certified you must still re-certify your CPR/AED/AEO/PDT each year. If you have a current CPR/AED/AEO/PDT certification from an outside source you must submit a copy. Keep in mind any outside certification must be American Red Cross (AHA, NSC, ECSI, etc. are not accepted) and it must be current through the end of September 2010! If your certification card does not meet these requirements you must sign up for and complete a CPR/AED/AEO/PDT course through LBTBP before you will be allowed to begin work on the beach.
Emergency Response is a comprehensive first aid course. This certification is required of all LBTBP lifeguards and is good for 3 years. (The first day of this course will be CPR/AED/AEO/PDT, therefore you do not need to sign up for one of the CPR/AED/AEO/PDT courses listed on the reverse). In order to accommodate those still in school at the beginning of the season, both weekend and weekday courses will be offered this season. Emergency Response courses are 4 days in length, either running from Tuesday through Friday or on four consecutive Saturdays.
Notice: If your Emergency Response expires this season, you will be required to complete a full Emergency Response course.
Both veteran and new lifeguards must swim 600 feet (200 yards; which is 8 lengths of the St. Francis Community Center pool) in 2:50 minutes or less.
If you are a veteran guard who has worked for LBTBP for ten (10) years or more and are:
- between 30 to 39 years of age, your swim test time must be 2:55 minutes or less;
- between 40 to 49 years of age, your swim test time must be 3:00 minutes or less;
- between 50 to 59 years of age, your swim test time must be 3:05 minutes or less.
Goggles and swim caps are permitted, but diving starts are not.
You should pass this test easily if you are in shape to lifeguard; however, candidates who are temporarily out of shape will sometimes fail the test and pass on a later attempt.
The test is given four times, and candidates may take the test up to TWO times. Candidates are strongly advised to take the earliest test possible.
Arrangements have been made to use the St. Francis Pool for pre-season training. From April 19 through June 18, every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday and Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. three lanes of the pool have been reserved for anyone, veterans and rookies, trying out for LBTBP.
Notice: If we have not received your application, you will not be on the list at St. Francis for pool use.
The Ocean Lifeguard Training Course (OLTC) is required for all first year LBTBP lifeguards regardless of previous lifeguarding experience (unless you have completed at least two levels of the Lifeguard In Training Program within in the past fifteen months).
The course may also be required for veteran lifeguards who have not worked for LBTBP for an extended period of time, or, lifeguards who, at the beach supervisors discretion, may need additional training.
The four day course consists of a written and practical exam (in which you must perform swimming, paddling, and line rescues and demonstrate other skills). A score of at least eighty percent is required to successfully complete the course.
To keep your job, you must perform it satisfactorily. If there are problems with your performance, you will be informed by your officers and be given a chance to improve.
Some infractions, though, are considered grounds for immediate dismissal, such as:
- using or possessing alcohol or drugs while on duty.
- sleeping on duty.
- leaving the beach unattended at any time during normal guarding hours (except as authorized by LBTBP officers).
- conduct unbecoming of a township employee even if the conduct occurs while you are off-duty.
To retest the physical skills of our lifeguards and to encourage them to practice on rescue equipment, all guards are required to complete at least four competitions each season.
All guards are required to complete:
One ocean swimming event: Run-Swim-Run, 1000m Swim (required event), Surf Rescue (rescuer only), any Mayor’s Cup swim.
Two other ocean events: any two events that take place in the ocean, excluding the event that counts as your ocean swimming event.
One other event: any event not used to satisfy either of the previous requirements. Beach flags may not be used as an event.
Three events, including one ocean swimming event and one ocean event, must be completed by July 27. Guards not meeting this requirement may be suspended or removed from employment. Please note 1000m Swim is now required of all lifeguards.
In events with heats and finals, event credit is given only for the heats. If you qualify for later rounds, you must participate or you will not receive credit for the event (the only exceptions are if you notify the scorekeeper at the time of qualification that you will not be able to participate or if you have a documented emergency).
