Join the Team
Fall 2024 Tryouts: August 2-3!
Ocean Safety will next conduct tryouts in August 2024. Applicants for our physical test must register in person at Tower 1B, at the Ewa end of Ala Moana Beach Park. Applicants must provide copies of current certifications (see below), or proof of enrollment in certification classes. All applicants who qualify will then take the physical performance exam the very next week. The physical performance test is staged in the same area: Tower 1B.
Sign up/provide proof of certs: Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., OR Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Physical Performance Test: Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, OR Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 (the very next week).
Job Benefits
- Starting pay:
- Water Safety Officer: $25.06/hour
- Annual vacation leave
- Annual sick leave
- Retirement plan
- Health, dental and vision insurance for you and your family
- Other benefits include life insurance and access to credit union and deferred compensation programs
- Alternate Work Schedule (AWS) of four 10-hour days per week (“4-10s”)
- Training breaks
How to Join
The Ocean Safety Department conducts a physical performance examination for employment opportunities as part-time, on-call contract beach lifeguards.
Open recruitment will be posted here when available for all part-time, on-call contract beach lifeguards. Physical exam tryouts are held at Tower 1B in Ala Moana Beach Park, and run over two days. Candidates need attend only one of the tryouts.
Physical Performance Exam
The physical performance examination is a strenuous activity. The performance examination consists of the following events:
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| 1,000 Yard Run and 1,000 Yard Swim | Under 25:00 minutes |
| 400 Yard Rescue Board Paddle | Under 4:00 minutes |
| Run-Swim-Run, 100 Yards each length | Under 3:00 Minutes |
License Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have a current driver’s license;
- Have a High School diploma or GED (General Educational Development);
- Provide proof of completion of an American Red Cross or YMCA Lifeguard Training Class*;
- Provide proof of completion of a Basic First Aid Class*;
- Provide proof of completion of the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer Class or the American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider Class*.
*Only applicants who meet the above requirements will be allowed to take the performance exam, and all documents must be provided on the day of examinations – no exceptions. Candidates must provide current certifications, or proof of enrollment.
Still Have Questions?
For more information, contact the Ocean Safety Department at (808) 723-7861.
Training Resources
American Red Cross
See all programs for training and certification with the American Red Cross.
Lifeguards In Action
In 2021, Honolulu Ocean Safety watched over a record 21,000,000 beachgoers at beaches around the island. Lifeguards made more than 1.2 million preventative actions, more than 2,400 rescues and made more than 111,000 first aids.
News Coverage
Honolulu Ocean Safety Looking for New Lifeguard Recruits
Honolulu Ocean Safety is looking for its next set of beach lifeguard recruits, with registration to be held in December 2021, followed by tryouts in January 2022 at Ala Moana Beach Park.