About this role
Job SummaryThe incumbent is in a Lifeguard position in the National Park Service (NPS) in the division of Visitor and Resource Protection at Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana. Primary duties involve the protection of human life, natural and cultural resources, aesthetic values, and government property; the enforcement of the park's rules and regulations, laws pertinent to resource protections, public relations, visitor services and information, and visitor/employee safety.
QualificationsAll 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-03 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least six months of general experience. General experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Examples include working at the YMCA, at a summer camp, Boy Scout/Girl Scout clubs, customer service. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year above high school. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. You must include transcripts. -OR- COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and 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.
Major DutiesIn this position, the lifeguard receives extensive pre-season and daily in-service training to gain proficiency in lifeguarding skills, emergency medical services (EMS), physical fitness, standard operating procedures, and safe supervision of a lake-front beach. The employee learns to manage large crowds, enforce rules, assist visitors, and perform open-water rescues, emergency medical care, and search-and-rescue operations as part of a team. Once trained, some of the duties performed include, but not limited to: Responds to emergencies throughout the park, Operates ATVs for rapid response, Monitors beach conditions to prevent resource degradation, reporting issues when necessary. Educates visitors on laws, safety, and water conditions, Interprets hazards for the public, Maintains accurate reports and documentation, Cares for assigned equipment. 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 Monday, March 9th, 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. For more park information, please visit: Indiana Dunes National ParkRequirementsU.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), and 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. Government Housing: Housing may be available. 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.