Join our amazing team and have a rewarding summer! Applications expected to open in early December.

Stay up to date on this posting by completing the JOB INTEREST FORM. 

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Salary Information:

• Lifeguard I: $25.00 - $30.41 (Lifeguard I salary range increases to $25.50 - $31.02 beginning July 11, 2026)
• Paid Training: $16.50/hour (Position: Lifeguard Trainee)

Employees with the classification of Lifeguard I and above who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for:

• EMT Pay: 5% of the employee's base hourly pay for each hour worked
• Bilingual Pay: $0.75/hour

To become a seasonal ocean lifeguard for the City of Newport Beach, candidates must first apply for the Lifeguard Trainee position.

After qualifying, Lifeguard Trainees attend the City of Newport Beach Basic Lifeguard Academy to learn skills and techniques used in ocean rescue, emergency decision making, first responder medical treatment, and public assistance.

Gain Valuable Career Skills! 

During the Basic Lifeguard Academy you will: 

• Become CPR and Emergency Medical Response certified.

• Learn lifesaving techniques for ocean surveillance, victim recognition, and rescue of persons endangered by hazardous ocean or beach conditions.  

• Learn to identify ocean conditions such as rip currents, irregular ocean bottom conditions, lateral currents, and wave actions.

• Engage in physical fitness training.

• Learn customer service skills related to public safety and the beach environment.

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• Applications are expected to open in December and close mid-January. Exact dates coming soon. 

• Age Requirement: Applicants must be 16 years old on or before March 15, 2026.

• Experience: No prior lifeguard experience required.

• Start training! Download the practice workout schedule here

• Qualifying applicants will be invited to a tryout tentatively scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026.

• No wetsuits or fins allowed. Goggles are optional.

• Tryout consists of a 1000-meter ocean swim and 1000-meter run-swim-run.

• Top finishers will be invited to an interview.

Please Note: The course and/or selection components could change due to weather conditions. Dates and timelines are also subject to change. 

Join us! Newport Beach Lifeguards are hosting an information night for interested candidates. Attendance is not required as part of the recruitment process, nor does it affect applicant eligibility and/or imply a future job offer.

Attendees will learn about: tryouts, the Basic Lifeguard Academy, the post-academy hiring process, and more!

Info Night Details:

• Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026

• Time: 6:00 p.m. Attendees are welcome to stay after to ask questions, check out Lifeguard Headquarters, and learn more about what it’s like being a Newport Beach Lifeguard.

• Location: Attendees may attend either in-person or via Zoom. See additional info below.

RSVP to attend via Zoom: If you will be attending via Zoom, please register here.

RSVP to attend in person: If you will be attending in-person, please RSVP here. The in-person info night is located at Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters, 70 Newport Pier, Newport Beach, CA.