Class Specification: CAPTAIN, LIFEGUARD SERVICES, FIRE
ITEM NUMBER: 2925
APPROVAL DATE: 06/09/2006
DEFINITION:
Supervises all ocean lifeguard personnel assigned to one area of a beach or to a section's headquarters on a day and/or night shift.
CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
Positions allocable to this class work under the administrative and technical direction of a Section Chief, Lifeguard Services, Fire with responsibility for one of the major areas of the coastline. Incumbents provide first level technical and administrative supervision to Ocean Lifeguards and Ocean Lifeguard Specialists assigned to a one to three mile area within that section. Each incumbent is responsible for properly staffing the area according to anticipated weather and ocean conditions and expected crowds, for ensuring the enforcement of all rules and ordinances, and for maintaining staff proficiency levels in conformance with departmental standards. In addition to possessing the knowledge and skills required of lower level classes within the series, positions in this class must exercise advanced knowledge of personnel practices, supervisory principles, departmental policies, procedures, and services to ensure the effective performance of subordinates.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Evaluates the effectiveness of staff and services by inspecting beach areas and equipment, and monitoring the performance of personnel on duty; reviews reports and logs; notes deficiencies and ensures corrective action.
Evaluates subordinate staff; prepares performance evaluations and submits them for review by superiors; counsels staff regarding their levels of performance; resolves first level employee grievances.
Determines training needs; directs Ocean Lifeguard Specialists to conduct on-the-job training in specific areas; may conduct training in areas such as ordinance interpretation, crowd management, or cliff rescues.
Meets with representatives of news media to present factual information on emergencies or special events, with citizen groups to plan or coordinate special events, and/or with school personnel to plan for safety presentations.
Determines area personnel and equipment needs and submits requests to section headquarters for approval; hires and assigns lifeguard staff to sub-areas on a weekly and/or daily basis according to anticipated weather conditions, ocean and crowd projections; monitors expenditures to stay within allocated resources.
Responds to major emergencies within the area on a 24-hour recall basis and assumes command from the Ocean Lifeguard Specialist; directs and participates in ocean rescues and in the administration of first aid; directs crowd control measures pending the arrival of higher level departmental staff or law enforcement officers.
Inspects assigned area of beach in a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped for major 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:
Two years of experience at the level of Ocean Lifeguard Specialist in the service of Los Angeles County.
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 be able to swim 500 meters within ten minutes.
Certification:
(1) County Beach Lifeguard Training Certificate, (2) Emergency Medical Technician I Certificate, (3) SCUBA Certificate.
