Seasonal Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard)

Performs lifeguard services during assigned tours of duty accomplishing search and rescue lifesaving and preventive life guarding. Provides information on park regulations to the public. Patrols beach areas on foot advising visitors of hazardous lake and swimming conditions. Advises supervisor of safety problems and assists in the operation of the First Aid and Lifeguard Services Center as requested. Prepares rescue reports and maintains records as necessary. Performs other park support duties (such as festival assistance garbage pick-up and inventories) as weather conditions and/or workload requirements dictate. Position requires wearing the full assigned uniform and operation of an all-terrain vehicle.

NOTE: Any applicant tentatively selected may be required to pass park administered testing which entails the following: 1) Swim 500 yards in 10 minutes or less; 2) Recover a 10-pound weight from 12 feet of water; 3) Swim 25 yards underwater with one breath; 4) Successfully demonstrate proper water rescue techniques; and 5) Demonstrate proper techniques for handling neck and back injuries.

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.

Indiana Dunes National Park

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 addition this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Drivers License: You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid drivers license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operators License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities) and at your own expense all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid drivers licenses whether current or past possessed by you.
• Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Lifeguard Certificate: You will be required to acquire an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate or Equivalent within 60 days of entrance on Duty.
• 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: Housing may be available.

Qualifications

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-04 grade level you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: Have six months of general experience AND six months of specialized experience. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the applicants ability to perform the work of the position or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject areas of the occupation. Examples include working as a lifeguard at the YMCA counselor at a summer camp work as a leader with Boy Scout/Girl Scout clubs. Specialized experience is experience which is in the occupation of the position to be filled in a related occupation or in one of the specialized areas within that occupation which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression of the occupation in the organization. Some examples of specialized experience are a) aid or assistant in the issuance of authorized property and in the maintenance of inventory control and accountability for such property in a recreation facility; b) aid or assistant in a hotel or resort recreation service with duties such as setting up areas for games tournaments and other organized group recreational activities; c) aid or assistant in the organization and administration of recreation activities such as preparing calendars maintaining attendance records and providing information concerning schedules and activities; d)summer aid in a State or national park with duties related to the recreational activities of visitors to campsites trails picnic areas nature and raft centers and boating and fishing areas (e.g. demonstrating camping techniques and park safety conducting nature tours and overseeing farm animal areas provided for children). You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Have successfully completed 2 years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to recreation (e.g. basic psychology group dynamics physical education arts and crafts etc.). IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your degree in your resume. You must submit a copy of your transcripts or a complete list of college courses taken that identifies for each course the college or university semester or quarter hours earned grade received and date completed. We cannot determine eligibility without this information. (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty if you are selected). You must include transcripts.
-OR-
COMBINATION: Have a combination of work experience and education (includes 6 semester hours in courses related to recreation (e.g. basic psychology group dynamics physical education arts and crafts etc.)) when added together would equal 100 percent of the needed qualifications for the position. You must include transcripts.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.