Class Specification: OCEAN LIFEGUARD SPECIALIST
ITEM NUMBER: 2924
APPROVAL DATE: 06/09/2006
DEFINITION:
Performs specialized lifeguard and rescue duties.
CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
Positions in this class work under the technical and administrative supervision of area or rescue boat officers. Incumbents are assigned to one of, or rotate among, a number of specialized activities such as rescue boat crew, sub-area lead lifeguard, radio monitor and dispatcher, and major rescue patrol. Positions in this class must exercise a thorough knowledge of first aid, First Responder Awareness (FRA), swimming and lifesaving techniques, beach ordinances and rules, ocean conditions such as tides, currents, ocean bottom conditions, seamanship, and wave actions and their effects. Ocean Lifeguard Specialists must possess an in-depth understanding of department services, policies, procedures, and techniques in order to perform the more demanding assignments or to ensure the effective performance of assigned lifeguards. Incumbents must have the physical strength, stamina, and swimming skills to execute rescues in rough ocean water conditions.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Serves as lead lifeguard in charge of a sub-area of the beach by giving technical direction to ocean lifeguards and by observing the area to ensure proper performance of assigned lifeguards.
Deploys assigned lifeguards on a sub-area of beach in appropriate locations according to crowd activity and hazards; requests additional lifeguards and reassigns or releases according to existing conditions.
Responds to major incidents in assigned sub-area such as multiple ocean rescues, serious injuries or unruly crowds; notifies area officer of situation and directs or participates in initial corrective action.
Patrols several miles of beach area in a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped for major rescues; responds to observed or reported major incidents such as cliff rescues, beached boats, and critical injuries; initiates corrective action pending arrival of area officer.
Notifies the area officer upon suspicion of or receipt of a report of a suspected sewage or hazardous materials spill.
Enforces beach ordinances prohibiting activities such as illegal fires, boats too close to shore, and drinking of alcoholic beverages; writes a narrative description and may testify in court as to facts of incidents.
Conducts on-the-job training of lifeguards in the techniques, procedures, and skills of first aid and rescue operations using departmental approved practices.
Evaluates capability of subordinate lifeguards and advises area officer of findings.
Maintains watch over beach area from headquarters on day and/or night shift and operates telephone and radio communications system to receive and dispatch information to the rescue boat and lifeguard stations concerning problems such as surf rescue incidents, violations of beach regulations, distressed vessels, and disorderly patrons; communicates by radio, selective call unit (SCU), and telephone to LOA (Headquarters) Dispatch Center. Notifies appropriate police and fire departments, ambulance companies, and Coast Guard of incidents requiring their response.
Uses direct reading measuring instruments such as barometers or thermometers to obtain environmental information such as wind readings, air and water temperatures, surf and tide levels, and beach erosions; disseminates information to the media, weather bureau, and various other agencies.
Serves as crewmember of a rescue boat on day and/or night shift and operates the boat in harbors and open ocean to maintain position when ranking officer goes aboard another vessel or onto docks.
Acts as observer while on boat patrol, looking for things such as malfunctioning or out-of-position navigational aids, distressed boats, and dangerous debris in water. Alerts ranking officer of observations.
Responds as crewmember and observer in all weather or ocean conditions and at all hours to incidents such as burning, capsized, and/or sinking boats; operates firefighting and pumping equipment, attaches towing lines, and swims to execute rescues.
Engages in the physical fitness program established by the department in order to maintain sufficient capability to perform ocean lifesaving duties.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from high school or its equivalent and four months experience at the level of an Ocean Lifeguard in the service of the County of Los Angeles. Effective January 1, 2008, completion of River Flood I or approved equivalent course.
LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions.
PHYSICAL CLASS:
4 - Arduous.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Ability:
Positions assigned to this class must have the ability to swim 500 meters within ten minutes.
Certification:
(1) County Beach Lifeguard Training Certificate, (2) Emergency Medical Technician I Certificate, (3) SCUBA Certificate.
Age:
At least 18 years of age.
Vision:
At least 20/30 in each eye without correction.
Hearing:
There may be no greater than a 25 dB loss in the better ear as averaged over the test frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz. There may not be a peak loss at any of the test frequencies greater than:
30 dB at 500 Hz
30 dB at 1000 Hz
40 dB at 2000 Hz
40 dB at 3000 Hz
There may be no greater than a 35 dB loss in the worse ear as averaged over the test frequencies, and no peak loss greater than 45 dB at any of the test frequencies. In the case of a questionable, unusual, or borderline hearing loss, the applicant's record will be reviewed by the Occupational Health Service consultant in otolaryngology who will make a recommendation as to the applicant's employability and forward it to the Medical Director for final disposition.
