• Job Description

  Req#: 4213031

  
  

  FIRE DEPARTMENT

  FILING PERIOD:
  12/26/2023 AT 8:00 A.M. (PT) THROUGH 01/09/2024 AT 5:00 P.M. (PT)
  
  EXAM NUMBER:
  32924U

  TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:
  OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB OPPORTUNITY

  DEFINITION:
  Performs specialized ocean lifeguard and rescue duties.
  
  CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
  Positions allocable to this senior-level class work under the technical and administrative supervision of area or rescue boat officers. Incumbents are scheduled to one of, or rotate among, a number of specialized assignments including, but not limited to, rescue boat crew, sub-area lead lifeguard, dispatcher, and specialized rescue units. Positions in this class must exercise a thorough knowledge of first aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), swimming and lifesaving techniques, seamanship, beach ordinances, rules and regulations, ocean conditions such as tides, currents, ocean bottom conditions, 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 specialized assignments or to ensure the effective performance of assigned ocean lifeguards. Incumbents must possess the physical strength, stamina, running, and swimming skills to execute rescues in any ocean water conditions.

  • Serves as lead ocean lifeguard in charge of a sub-area of the beach; observes the area to ensure proper performance of assigned ocean lifeguards; provides technical direction to ocean lifeguards.
  • Evaluates beach activities, weather, and ocean conditions; requests and deploys additional ocean lifeguards on a sub-area of beach in appropriate locations according to beach activity and hazards; requests additional lifeguards and reassigns or releases according to given conditions.
  • Responds to major incidents such as multiple-victim ocean rescues, medical emergencies, or unlawful acts; notifies area officer of situation and initiates or directs corrective action by utilizing Incident Command System (ICS) principles.
  • Operates an emergency vehicle equipped for major rescues; responds to observed or reported routine or major incidents such as cliff rescues, medical emergencies, distressed vessels, dive emergencies, river or flood rescues; 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 ocean lifeguards in the techniques, procedures, and skills of first aid, BLS, and rescue operations using department approved practices.
  • Evaluates capability of subordinate ocean lifeguards and advises area officer of findings.
  • Maintains 24-hour watch over beach area from headquarters; operates designated communications system to receive and dispatch information to field units and tower facilities. Notifies appropriate mutual aid agencies to coordinate with Command and Control.
  • Uses direct reading measuring instruments such as thermometers to obtain, observe, and record environmental information such as wind readings, air and water temperatures, surf and tide levels, and beach erosions; disseminates environmental information to the public and other agencies as directed.
  • Serves as crewmember of a rescue boat on day and/or night shift and operates the rescue boat or distressed vessel as instructed by ranking officer.
  • Performs as rescue boat deckhand or distressed vessel observer, looking for hazards such as malfunctioning or out-of-position navigational aids, distressed vessels, and hazards to navigations.
  • Provides 24-hour watch and response in all weather or ocean conditions to incidents such as burning, capsized, and/or sinking vessels; operates marine firefighting, dewatering, and pumping equipment, attaches towing lines, and swims or dives to execute rescues or provide emergency medical care.
  • Engages in the physical fitness program established by the department in order to maintain sufficient capability to perform ocean lifesaving duties.
  • Perform special assignment duties including Underwater Rescue Recovery Unit (URRU), Swift Water Rescue, administrative staff, Training Coordinator, Youth Programs Director, and other positions requiring a specialized skill set as needed.

  SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:
  Current status as an Ocean Lifeguard* with the Los Angeles County Fire Department -AND- worked for a period of 120 days (960 hours) within Emergency Operations**, within the last five (5) years, as an Ocean Lifeguard in the service of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
  
  REQUIRED CERTIFICATES/LICENSES:
  

  • A valid Los Angeles County Lifeguard Training Certificate***.
  • Valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification*** Issued by an approved California Certifying agency.
  • A valid SCUBA certificate***
  • A valid California Class C Driver License**** required to perform job-related essential functions.

  PHYSICAL CLASS:
  Physical Class IV – Arduous: This class involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working above ground on irregular surfaces. It includes those positions that occasionally demand extraordinary physical activity such as those in Safety positions.
  
  SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
  *To qualify, applicants must currently hold the County payroll title of Ocean Lifeguard (Item 2923).
  
  **Emergency Operations includes assignments in Lifeguard Station 100, Lifeguard Station 200, Lifeguard Station 300, and junior lifeguard field instructor.
  
  ***In order to receive credit for any certificate(s) and/or license(s), you must include a legible copy of the certificate(s) and/or license(s) at the time of filing or within fifteen (15) calendar days of submitting an online application . If you are unable to attach your documents, you may e-mail them to Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov . Failure to provide any required documentation will result in application rejection . Please include your Name, Exam Number, and the Exam Title on the e-mail documents.
  
  LICENSE INFORMATION:
  ****Successful applicants for positions that require driving must obtain and present a copy of his/her driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before final appointment. Applicants should not present a copy of their driving history until asked to do so by the hiring department. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicant's driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job. License must not be currently suspended, restricted, or revoked.
  
  If the applicant does not have a driving record from the State of California, the applicant may be required to provide his/her driving record from any other state/jurisdiction.
  
  NO OUT OF CLASS EXPERIENCE WILL BE ACCEPTED
  
  SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE:
  As part of this application process, applicants are required to complete a supplemental questionnaire to document specific education and work experience. Applicants who fail to meet the Selection Requirements will be disqualified.
  
  OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
  Ability:
  Positions assigned to this class must successfully complete a swim of 550 yards in a pool within ten minutes and a minimum of 500 meters in the ocean in less than ten minutes.
  
  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. EXAMINATION CONTENT:
  
  This examination will consist of THREE (3) parts:
  
  PART I: An evaluation of training and experience, weighted 25%, assessing Job Knowledge, Ocean Lifeguard Principles, and Medical Care.
  
  Candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher in Part I to participate in Part II.
  
  PART II: A multiple choice assessment, weighted 50%, assessing:
  

  • Professional/Technical Knowledge of:
    • Beach Operations & Incident Management
    • Medical Care
    • Vehicle/Vessel Operation
    • Ocean Lifeguard Principles
    • Equipment Use & Facilities Management
  • Professional Development & Leadership

  MULTIPLE CHOICE ASSESSMENTS ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.
  
  Candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher in Part II to participate in Part III.
  
  TIME AND LOCATION: The written examination will be given on Fri day, January 26, 2024. Candidates will be notified as to the exam time and location.
  
  Part III: A timed swim course, weighted 25%, assessing the candidate's ability to swim 500 meters/550 yards in a pool.
  
  NOTE: For the integrity of the exam, video recording will occur during the timed swim course.
  
  Candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on each weighted part of the examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
  
  

  NOTE: All notifications including invitation letters will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add diego.gonzalez@fire.lacounty.gov, AOganesyan@hr.lacounty.gov, info@governmentjobs.com, talentcentral@shl.com , noreply@proctoru.com , and donot-reply@amcatmail.com to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
  

  NO PERSON MAY COMPETE IN THIS EXAMINATION MORE THAN ONCE EVERY SIX (6) MONTHS.
  

  
  

  Transfer of Multiple-Choice Test Responses:

  • Applicants who have taken identical test questions for multiple-choice tests (Part II) recently for other exams will have their test responses automatically transferred to this examination.
  • This examination contains test questions that may be used in the future for new examinations and your test responses may be transferred.

  TEST SCORES CANNOT BE GIVEN OVER THE PHONE.

  
  

  TEST PREPARATION:
  Study guides and other test preparation resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. An Interactive Online Test Preparation System for taking practice tests may be accessed on the Department of Human Resources website at http://hr.lacounty.gov/ . Please click on "Find a Job" and then "Job Search Toolkit." Test preparation information is located below the "Employment Test Assistance" section.

  You can access the source materials by logging into Vector Solutions and clicking on My Credentials. targetsolutions.com/lacfd

  While these practice materials will help in preparing for the test, we advise you to review all related materials that you deem necessary.

  
  

  In addition, all candidates are welcome to visit their jurisdictional Marine Battalion to access County computers.
  
  

  ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION :
  The names of candidates receiving a passing grade on the examination will be placed on the eligible list in the order of their score group for a period of six (6) months following the date of promulgation.
  
  BACKGROUND CHECK:
  Successful candidates will be required to complete a thorough background investigation, including a fingerprint search. Candidates who do not successfully pass the background check may be removed from the certification list (eligible list) pursuant to Civil Service Rule 6.04.
  
  VACANCY INFORMATION :
  The resulting eligible list for this examination will be used to fill Ocean Lifeguard Specialist vacancies within the Los Angeles County Fire Department as they occur.
  
  AVAILABLE SHIFT :
  Any Shift - Appointees must be willing to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
  
  APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:
  
  APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE ONLY. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY U.S. MAIL, FAX, OR IN PERSON WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of applications, although resumes and supporting documents may be uploaded as attachments to the online application. Apply online by clicking on the green "Apply" button, when it becomes available, at the top right of this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website. If you are unable to access the website, you may enter the following link to access your profile: http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty.
  
  NOTE: We must receive your application and required documents, by 5:00 pm, PT, on the last date of filing. Please check your application to ensure that the required documents are uploaded by logging on to the County of Los Angeles Department of Human Resources website and reviewing your submitted application. If you are unable to attach required documents, you may email them to Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov or fax the documents to (323) 264-7159 at the time of filing or within fifteen (15) calendar days of submitting your online application . Failure to provide the required documentation will result in application rejection. Please include your Name the Exam Number, and the Exam Title on the faxed documents.

  
  Your application will not be accepted if any of the required information and/or documents, which includes, EXPERIENCE, VALID EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT) CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY AN APPROVED CALIFORNIA CERTIFYING AGENCY, VALID SCUBA CERTIFICATE, LOS ANGELES COUNTY LIFEGUARD TRAINING CERTIFICATE, VALID CA DRIVER LICENSE, are omitted. The application must indicate the California Driver License Number, Class, and expiration date.
  
  The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly s hown that you meet the Selection Requirements. Please fill out your application and supplemental questionnaire completely and correctly to receive full credit for any related education, training, and job experience. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your actual job title, beginning and ending dates, description of work performed, and total number of hours worked (full or part-time). Provide any relevant education, training, and experience in the spaces provided so we can evaluate your qualifications for this job. Your application will be rejected if it is incomplete. We may reject your application at any time during the selection process.
  
  ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI) :
  The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
  
  EMAIL COMMUNICATION:
  

  All applicants must enter a valid e-mail address at the time of application submission. Entering an invalid e-mail address may result in the disqualification of your application during the examination process. Notifications will be sent electronically to the e-mail address provided on your application.
  
  It is also important that you provide a valid email address. DO NOT select "off" under Email Preferences within your profile or click "unsubscribe" on our notices if you would like the County of Los Angeles to notify you regarding your application status, test schedules, and other important information pertaining to your candidacy for this position. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.
  
  It is your responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence. Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component.

  
  IMPORTANT NOTE:
  Please note that ALL information included in the application materials is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION or RESCISSION OF APPOINTMENT. Utilizing VERBIAGE from the Class Specification and Selection Requirements serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an INCOMPLETE APPLICATION and you may be DISQUALIFIED.
  
  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING ONLINE FILING:
  
  SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER :
  It is important that you provide your own Social Security Number (SSN) at the time of filing to ensure your application is processed accurately. Please include your SSN for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a SSN.
  
  COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES :
  For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, you may borrow laptops and Wi-Fi hotspot from some public libraries throughout Los Angeles County to complete job applications. Please note that service hours and capacity may be limited at some public libraries.
  
  NO SHARING OF USER ID, E-MAIL, AND PASSWORD :
  If you do not already have an account/profile with the County of Los Angeles, you will need to create one. All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using someone else's user ID and password will erase the original application record.
  
  TESTING ACCOMODATION:
  If you need accommodations to take the assessment, please let us know by contacting the ADA/Testing Coordinator at Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov.
  
  Testing Accommodation Coordinator Phone: (213) 466-5500
  California Relay Services Phone: 800-735-2922
  Department Contact Name: Fire Examination Section
  Department Contact Phone: (213) 466-5500
  Department Contact Email: Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov
  

• About the company

  Los Angeles County, one of California’s original 27 counties, was established on Feb. 18, 1850. It is one of the nation’s largest counties with 4,084 square miles, and has the largest population of any county in the nation.

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