Seasonal Lead Recreation Assistant; Lifeguard

Overview

You will serve as a lead lifeguard within the Visitor and Resource Protection division of Indiana Dunes National Park. The purpose of this position is to provide for visitor safety. You will apply technical expertise in the coordination and implementation of daily service as a team leader of the beach safety operation. This position is classified temporary seasonal; not to exceed 1039 hours.

Duty station for the lifeguard will occur at West Beach.

• Coordinates the beach safety operation on Lake Michigan at the West Beach area of the national lakeshore. Assists the supervisor in scheduling, time keeping, training, monitoring, counseling, prepares reports, payroll, and operational recommendations.
• Patrols the beach and dune area on foot and all-terrain vehicles (ATV). Contacts visitors with preventative beach safety information and explains certain beach safety issues in hazardous lake and swimming conditions as well as the rules and regulations of the park.
• Performs lifeguard services when needed during the assigned tour of duty; accomplishes search and rescue, lifesaving, and first aid.
• Prepares incident reports, requisition, and maintenance requests, as needed. Maintains and services equipment, as needed. Makes recommendations concerning disciplinary actions, assignments, and recognition of outstanding performance and personnel needs.
• Recognizes problems concerning water and beach safety and makes recommendations for their alleviation. Applies a background of specialized knowledge based on intensive training and expertise toward adapting methods and procedures for the safety of the visitors utilizing the park beaches. May act for the supervisor in their absence.

Cut-off Dates: This is an open continuous announcement, in which applications are collected over several months, and have multiple cut-off dates. Applications received by the initial cutoff date will be considered first.
INITIAL CUT OFF IS Wednesday, January 28, 2026
. Applications will be considered throughout the open period of the announcement; however, additional referral certificates will only be issued when a hiring official exhausts current certificate and/or additional vacancies need to be filled.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Direct Deposit:
  Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Drug Testing:
  You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Driver's License:
  You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification:
  This position performs Lifeguard duties, and an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification or equivalent must be obtained within 60 days from entrance on duty.
• Uniform:
  You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Minimum Age Requirement:
  Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education;
  
  or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
• Government Housing:
  House may be available.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 05/29/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time).

If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must…