Surf Rescue Specialist

Beach And Surf Rescue Technician

*Salary/Hourly wages are determined by verifiable experience.

This is a skilled and technical non-fire officer position within the firefighting and emergency medical series. Employees within this class engage directly in water safety of the County public beaches, safe operation of apparatus and equipment and life safety related tasks. This position involves the responsibility for safe operation of emergency apparatus and watercraft and responsibilities as the assisting in the administration of emergency scene operations. This position may be assigned to shift work, and off-duty call back provision for special situations. The work schedule includes holidays, weekends, weekdays, and may include duty lengths in excess of twenty-four hours. Employees in this class work under the immediate supervision of the Beach & Surf Rescue Captain; however considerable independent judgment and initiative is exercised in carrying out the daily requirements of the job.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Performs professional open water rescues and assisting with distressed swimmers.
• Cautions swimmers regarding unsafe areas or conditions.
• Monitors changes in surf conditions.
• Enforces County ordinances and policies.
• Assists with the maintenance of the Beach Warning Flags system and educates the public about the flag warning system for rip currents or hazardous marine life.
• Assumes responsibility for completion of daily checklists of apparatus and daily logs and readiness of all Beach & Surf Rescue apparatus and equipment when assigned.
• Operates and assures readiness of assigned Beach & Surf Rescue apparatus and associated documentation pertaining to equipment; provides performance feedback and assists officers in normal duties.
• Performs varied station, apparatus, and equipment maintenance including washing, polishing, and minor repairs.
• Performs emergency medical responder (EMR) functions to the sick and injured until EMS arrives and assumes patient care, which include patient assessment, vital signs, effective CPR, and other operations to treat sick or injured patients at the EMR level.
• Responds to emergencies on the beach and surrounding areas, initiates command of incidents when necessary and forwards information to the proper authorities.
• Assumes responsibility for safe mitigation of emergency scenes utilizing accepted life safety standards.
• Assumes responsibility for the safety of personnel and the public on emergency scenes when in command.
• Participates and may assist in teaching field and classroom training exercises designed to maintain and enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of Department of Emergency Services personnel including volunteers.
• Studies maps of jurisdictional areas to ensure familiarity with health care facilities and residential/commercial properties.
• Abides by all rules and regulations prescribed by Bay County, the Department of Emergency Services, and Fire Rescue Division.
• Operates and assures readiness of assigned fire and EMS apparatus and associated documentation.
• Assists in the logistics, maintenance and other needs for the Department of Emergency Services when needed.
• The employer may add to or change duties at any time and as determined by the County and its leaders to best ensure that the public is served through the work of the Department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent; AND
• Employment will be contingent upon the applicant obtaining the required certifications within one (1) month of employment.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• A comparable amount of training and/or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications except for required certification and examination.
• Ability or possession of requirements for career Firefighter II and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) under Florida Statutes is desirable, but not required.

Licenses and/or Certifications

• Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid Florida driver license upon offer of employment with a driving record acceptable to the County Driving Policy and insurance program.
• Employment will be contingent upon the applicant obtaining the below required certifications within one (1) month of hire as a condition of employment:
• Must meet the standards of the (USLA) United States Lifesaving Association's Open Water Lifeguard Training.
• Possession of an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certificate.
• Must pass required swim test (500 meter/550 yards swim in under 10 minutes), physical, and drug screening.
• Must pass physical exam conducted by qualified MD or DO stating applicant is able to perform duties of an open water rescue swimmer, and FF and/or EMT.
• Possession and maintain a USLA Open Water Lifeguard Certification.
• Possession and maintain an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certification.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

• Knowledge of policies and procedures of Bay County, the Department of Emergency Services, and the Fire Rescue Division.
• Knowledge of fire and EMS apparatus operation, equipment maintenance, and operating procedures.
• Extensive driving skills and knowledge of streets within assigned jurisdictional area.
• Knowledge of project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work and maintain reliable full-time attendance.
• Ability to comprehend, speak, and read the English language.
• Ability to have and maintain good interpersonal and communication skills to deal with the public.
• Ability to read map books and make sound judgments under extreme pressure.
• Ability to communicate well with other employees and the public.
• Ability to react quickly and make critical life safety and property preservation related decisions under extreme pressure and in the absence of direction from a Superior Officer.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions Work is primarily performed outdoors and requires some exposure to environmental changes (e.g., outdoor weather and/or field conditions, warehouses, garages, etc.) or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, heights and/or dust. The employee may be required to perform in high humidity and in elevated temperatures as well as limited access, enclosed spaces. While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; and interact with County staff, other organizations and the public. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils. This position requires some exposure or risk to physical health and/or physical safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, etc.). This position requires the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and includes completing and successfully passing medical evaluations and/or clearances. Stooping, sitting, crouching, walking, pulling, lifting, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pulling, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception. Ability to lift and carry patients weighing in excess of 250 pounds, with assistance, without causing harm or aggravating injuries to the patient or themselves. Lifts people and equipment of 100+ pounds; extensive, or considerable standing/walking; Lifts positions, pushes and/or transfers patients; lifts supplies/equipment; manual dexterity and mobility; intermittent exertion when performing treatments.

Work Location Not Eligible for Remote Work - This position is assigned to a county worksite.