• Continuous filing dates have been added.
• Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
• Continuous filing dates have been added.
• Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
• Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
• Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
• Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
• Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
• Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 1/31/2027

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

• LIFEGUARD (PERMANENT INTERMITTENT) - Open

The Performance examination will be administered to anyone who meets the minimum qualifications and does not provide evidence of a Department of Parks and Recreation Lifeguard Annual Swim Test obtained within the prior 12 months. Proof of Certificate must be postmarked or delivered in person to the Department of Parks and Recreation no later than the performance test.  If you have taken the Training and Experience (T&E) Examination in the last 9 months, you should not apply as your application will not be accepted.

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

4111

For LIFEGUARD (PERMANENT INTERMITTENT), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-04111

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

• Emiko Inouye
  Department of Parks and Recreation
  Selections Unit
  PO Box 942896
  Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
  

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

• Department of Parks and Recreation
  Selections Unit
  715 P Street
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  Please drop applications off at lobby front desk.

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of the license before they can be considered eligible for appointment.) and Possession of (1) a current Department of Parks and Recreation Emergency Medical Responder certificate or equivalent; and (2) a current Department of Parks and Recreation Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED), American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, or equivalent certificate. A current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate that is approved by the Department of Emergency Medical Services Authority may be substituted for both of the required certificates. Applicants who do not possess these certificates will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of the certificates before they can be considered eligible for an appointment. and Equivalent to six months of experience performing the duties of an open water lifeguard in other than swimming pools or water parks.

Possession of a current Department of Parks and Recreation Lifeguard Training Program Certificate, or successful completion of the Department's Lifeguard Training Program is required prior to appointment. The Department Lifeguard Training Program is to be specific for the job assignment: i.e., Inland Lifeguard Training for assignment to a reservoir or lake, or Ocean Lifeguard Training for assignment to a coastal beach or park. Annual renewal of the Lifeguard Training Program certificate is required.

In accordance with Penal Code 11105.3, a background investigation will be conducted prior to appointment. Persons unsuccessful in the investigation cannot be appointed in this classification. A candidate in this classification is to be fingerprinted for search of local, State, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal conviction unless otherwise provided by law.

A physical suitability examination by a licensed medical doctor is to be completed prior to appointment. Persons who are not successful in these examinations cannot be appointed in this classification.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

This examination will consist of the following two components:

PERFORMANCE EXAMINATION – Weighted Pass/Fail

Performance test date:  To be announced

Performance test location:  To be announced

The Ocean Swim Test will consist of the following:

        1,000 yard open water swim. Time limit of 20 minutes.

        Run 200 yards - Swim 400 yards – Run 200 yards. Time limit of 10 minutes.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and goggles. Wet suits will be allowed but fins are not allowed.

The Performance examination will be administered to anyone who meets the minimum qualifications and does not provide evidence of a Department of Parks and Recreation Lifeguard Annual Swim Test obtained within the prior 12 months. Proof of Certificate must be submitted to the Department of Parks and Recreation no later than the performance exam date. Applicants who pass the performance examination or have provided a current Department of Parks and Recreation Lifeguard Annual Swim Test certificate, will be sent an email with the link to take the Training and Experience (T&E) examination.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION – Weighted 100%

The examination will consist solely of a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E). To obtain a position on the eligible list, a minimum score of 70% will be required.

The T&E Examination will consist of statements designed to measure how your training and work history have provided you the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification.

Applicants will be sent an email with the link to take the T&E examination. Candidates must include a current/valid email address on their application. Failure to provide your current/valid email address will prevent you from taking the examination.

Reschedules will only be considered based on the California Government Code and the California Department of Human Resources policy.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:

1. First-aid procedures and resuscitation methods.
2. Surf, ocean, lake and river swimming, bathing and boating hazards.
3. First-aid and rescue equipment use and maintenance.
4. Application of basic life-support to the level of Department Emergency Medical Responder/EMT for patient care.
5. Dispatching of lifeguard towers and operations.
6. Techniques and procedures of conducting search and rescue.
7. Basic principles of dealing with the public.
8. Basic mathematics as required in accounting for funds.
9. Basic grammar and spelling as required in preparing reports and records.
10. General resources management and protection.
11. Principal recreational areas of the State of California.

Ability to:

1. Swim at a level sufficient for performing lifesaving activities.
2. Perform duties that require physical strength and agility.
3. Learn and apply standard first-aid procedures and resuscitation methods.
4. Interpret and follow directions and instructions.
5. Remain alert.
6. Analyze situations accurately.
7. Think and act quickly and take command in emergencies.
8. Establish and maintain good working relations.
9. Communicate effectively in English at a level appropriate to the class.
10. Assist in leading and training seasonal lifeguard staff.
11. Plan work schedules and assignments.
12. Follow written and oral instructions.
13. Learn the principles and practices used in the conservation and interpretation of natural resources.
14. Learn to use tools and equipment on the job.
15. Work safely.
16. Deal tactfully with individuals and groups.
17. Apply theory to practical situations.
18. Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the LIFEGUARD (PERMANENT INTERMITTENT) Classification will be established for:

• Department of Parks & Recreation

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 24 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

• Department of Parks & Recreation

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Parks & Recreation reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.