Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard)

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Clarification from the agency

Please see the "Who May Apply" section under the Qualifications section.

Overview

Telework eligibleNoRemote jobNoRelocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $15 - $24.96 per hour Pay scale & grade NF 1 - 2 Promotion potential None Work scheduleIntermittent - Flexible position. 0-40 hours per week. No benefits offered.Travel RequiredNot requiredAppointment typePermanent - Aquatics Center at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren is open year-round.Supervisory statusNoFederal service typeThis job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a unionNoDrug testNoSecurity clearanceOtherPosition sensitivity and riskNon-sensitive (NS)/Low RiskFinancial disclosure requiredNoAnnouncement number27-13102664Control number890427200

Occupations and job series

• 0189 Recreation Aid And Assistant

Background check type

• Suitability/Fitness

Summary

Provides lifeguard duties; is responsible for safeguarding the lives of persons at the assigned work area; assists with Aquatic training, education, and general support at the installation.

Duties

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Pool and/or Waterfront Lifeguard duties comprise 60% of incumbent's time and include but are not limited to:

• Performs all pool and/or waterfront lifeguard responsibilities (e.g., supervising swimmers/patrons and their activities, monitoring all natural water activities, applying first aid, enforcing safety rules, reporting safety hazards to supervisor, performing water rescues as necessary, etc.).
• Observes conditions of area assigned (e.g., possible hazards, water/chemical conditions, wind and weather, etc.) to ensure a safe environment, removing hazardous materials when necessary (e.g., floating debris, glass, etc.).
• Performs rescue work, promptly renders cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or emergency first aid and calls for medical assistance as necessary.
• Conducts and documents pool chemical testing results. Checks chlorine and pH levels on a scheduled basis; notifies Certified Pool Operator or supervisor of chemical imbalances; adjusts chemicals as directed.
• Documents marine life, water conditions and weather conditions.
• Marks swim and surf areas with a flag system. (Waterfront Only)
• Operates rescue vehicles (e.g., personal watercraft (PWC) rescue craft, patrol boats, automobiles, etc.), as needed. (Waterfront Only)

General duties comprise 40% of incumbent's time and include but are not limited to:

• Administers aquatic assessment testing and certification in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Navy (DON) and CNIC policy.
• Provides introductory equipment orientations, as needed.
• Checks identification cards for authorized patrons and collects usage fees, if applicable.
• Serves as the primary liaison between the activity, security, medical departments, and Aquatics Coordinator during emergency situations.
• Performs cleaning duties (e.g., basic janitorial services, vacuuming, skimming, etc.) and routine facility maintenance as assigned by Aquatics Coordinator.
• Inspects stands, boards, ropes, safety gear and condition of the dressing rooms, ensuring they are
• within the condition required by environmental health standards. Informs supervisor of deficiencies.
• Uses and maintains care of emergency equipment (e.g., specialized kits and bags, backboards, suction devices, splints, stretchers, monitoring equipment, etc.).
• Enforces applicable policies and procedures of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) regarding the use of Aquatic facilities and waterfront operations.
• Prepares accident/incident reports during emergency situations. Notifies management of all emergencies immediately.
• Works with hazardous materials (e.g., cleaning agents, pool chemicals, etc.).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.
• MUST submit ALL of the following current, active certifications: Lifeguard Certification, CPR for professional Rescuers, First Aid to include automated external defibrillator, and blood borne pathogens.
• Must have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• Must pass all applicable records and background check.
• This position is subject to the possibility of workdays on weekends and holidays, as well as, rotating shifts, often consisting of other than normal duty hours.
• Starting May 7, 2025, non-affiliated individuals requesting access will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification to access CNRMA Installations.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of pool and waterfront safety rules.
• Knowledge of the beach environment, marine life, and beach and water hazards. (Waterfront Only)
• Knowledge of DoD, DON and CNIC policies and procedures governing aquatic assessment testing and certifications.
• Knowledge of applicable policies and procedures of MWR regarding the use of Aquatic facilities and waterfront operations.
• Knowledge of cash handling procedures.
• Ability to appropriately identify hazards or hazardous situations and identify a patron's need for assistance immediately.
• Ability to tactfully, but forcefully, provide instruction on water safety, facility rules and regulations, and enforce them.
• Ability to conduct routine safety inspections of the facility and pool area to ensure they meet environmental health standards.
• Knowledge of and ability to conduct pool chemical testing, document the results, and adjust chemical imbalances, as directed.
• Skilled or proficient in surf lifesaving techniques and radio communications to perform a safe and efficient rescue operation.
• Ability to exercise control over a large group of people.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• MUST ATTACH CERTIFICATIONS WHEN YOU APPLY.

MAY BE HIRED AT THE NF-01 OR NF-02 LEVEL DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE.

Education

MUST POSSESS AND MAINTAIN ALL THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS:

• Lifeguard Certification
• CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Providers
• First Aid to include Automated External Defibrillator Certification
• Blood Borne Pathogens

Additional information

Salary is dependent on experience and/or education. Some positions have special requirements.

Selectee may be required to complete a one (1) year probationary period. Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required. We utilize E-Verify to confirm selectee's eligibility to work in the United States. Salary is dependent on experience and/or education. This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within 60 days of issuance of selection certificate.

Spouses of active duty military members of the Armed Forces may receive preference in hiring under this announcement if they are among the best qualified referred and are within reach of selection. Spouse Preference does not apply to NF 04 and NF 05 positions. Please clearly identify in your application that you are asking for spouse preference and complete the Request for Military Spouse Preference form and submit a copy of current PCS orders. Failure to submit current PCS orders with application will prevent spousal preference from being granted. Acceptance or declination of a regular full or part-time non-appropriated or appropriated fund position ends your ability to claim this preference.

For positions requiring travel more than twice per year, selectee may be required to obtain and maintain in good standing a Government-issued Travel Card for official government travel purposes.

Executive Order 12564 requires a Federal workplace free of illegal drugs. According to the Executive Order, all Federal employees are required to remain drug free throughout their employment. Commander, Navy Installations Command is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated, and use of or intoxication by illegal drugs will result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal Service.

SELECTIVE SERVICE REQUIREMENT: If you are a male born after December 31,1959 and at least 18 years of age, employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must register with the Selective Service System (military draft), unless you meet certain exemptions. If applicable, failure to register will prevent you from being considered for employment. To register, please visit the Selective Service web site at https://www.sss.gov/register/.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

All resumes will be reviewed to determine if they meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and will be rated based on the information provided in the resume to determine the level of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) related to the job requirements. Using the qualifications of the position, a predetermined rating criterion of KSAs will be used for each resume. Best qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager. The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews.

Required Documents

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The following documents are required at the time of application:

• Resume
• Copies of current, active Lifeguard, CPR and First Aid certifications and Blood Borne Pathogens
• If claiming Department of Defense (DOD) Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) Business Based Action (BBA) priority consideration: provide a copy of the notice of separation
• If claiming Military Spouse Preference: provide a copy of the sponsor's Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders and a marriage certificate at the time of application

How to Apply

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To be considered for this vacancy you must apply and complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/07/2026 to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13102664

It is your responsibility to ensure your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.

Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Applicant

To verify or check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account. Once logged in, the Welcome screen lists your applications, your application status and the date it was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status

The Department of the Navy (DON) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants are assured of equal consideration regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, reprisal, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities who believe they may require reasonable accommodations should email their request to nsapplications@nhr-ma.com to ensure proper consideration is given. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Agency contact information

NDW NAF HR Email ndwnafhr@us.navy.mil Address NSF Dahlgren
47402 Buse Rd
Bldg 467
Patuxent River, MD 20670
US

Next steps

Using the required qualifications of the position, a standardized rating and ranking criteria of knowledge, skills, and abilities will be used to screen and assess each application.

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Times may vary during the hiring process, as your application status updates/changes you will be notified with a notification letter via email.

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., Spam Blocker, etc.), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.