Beach Lifeguard

Duties

The duties of the post will include but are not limited to the following non-exhaustive list. Beach lifeguards will be responsible for the performance of their duties and will work under the immediate supervision of the Beach Lifeguard Supervisor who, in turn, reports to the Coastal Officer.

Beach Lifeguards shall read, be familiar with and adhere to the Safety Statement for Beach Lifeguards; participate in induction training and cooperate with other safety training provided by the Council as required. Any issues of health and safety concern or general details regarding their duties shall be referred to the Beach Lifeguard Supervisor or the Coastal Officer. The procedure for reporting issues of concern is set out in the Safety Statement.

(a) The Beach

• All equipment must be checked daily (each morning) to see that it is in working order and ready for use. Any defects noted should be reported immediately. To inspect all lifesaving and first aid equipment on arrival for duty to ensure that adequate stocks are available and in good working order.

• Indication flags should be placed in prominent positions. The following flag system is to be used:

• Red flag signifies that bathing is considered temporarily unsafe.

• Red over yellow flag signifies that bathing between any two such flags is under supervision of Beach Lifeguard.

• No flag is flown if there is no Beach Lifeguard on duty.

• To ensure that from the start of the duty period that the appropriate flags are flown and are changed or re-located as necessary during the day.

• To ensure at the conclusion of the duty period each evening that all flags are removed and that all equipment is checked and securely stored in the appropriate place.

• To ensure that except for emergency assistance or official business, no one other than lifeguard personnel is permitted in the lifeguard station.

(b) Bathers

• Beach Lifeguards must always be courteous to bathers and give them the necessary information regarding state of tides, currents and parts of strand which are not safe for bathing.

• To provide emergency rescue service in the case of accidents.

• Going immediately to the assistance of persons in difficulties in the water and rendering to such persons the necessary attention; To render first aid when possible.

• Where bathers are about to enter water at a point which is considered dangerous owing to currents, shifting sands etc., they should immediately warn them and give them reasons. Practice a philosophy of prevention over reaction in carrying out the service.

• If the bathers are acting in an indecent manner, the Beach guard should bring this fact to the notice of the Garda Síochána at the earliest opportunity.

(c) Other Duties for Consideration

• Except when the beach is empty, the Beach Lifeguard should be on beach patrol or on look-out outside the hut. The Beach Lifeguard should never be inside the hut except when relieved for meals etc. or when they are certain there is nobody on the beach. They should not allow their concentration to be diverted in conversations with the public, mobile phone use, or in reading. The primary duty of the Beach Lifeguard is to prevent accident situations from developing. The rescue tube should be strategically placed so that it may be used at a moment’s notice. Special vigilance is required where there are rocks or an outflow of a river, as there are likely to be undertows or currents.

• Where Beach Lifeguards must leave to partake of meals, arrangements should be made that one Beach Lifeguard will be on duty during the other’s absence for such purpose and to patrol his/her area in addition to his/her own.

• Where two or more Beach Lifeguards are on duty on a particular beach –

• One Beach Lifeguard shall remain at a vantage point from which a full view of the beach can be had and remain on a constant lookout,

• The other Beach Lifeguard shall maintain a patrol of the beach and in such a manner that any given point along the beach is visited at least once in every 15 minutes.

• Brief reports should be exchanged when they meet but lifeguards should never be seen to congregate together or with other groups.

• To provide constant observation and supervision of activities at public bathing places in order to prevent drowning accidents.

• To inspect the patrol area and, where possible, to remove any dangerous or offensive items. If the lifeguard cannot deal with the matter, he/she should immediately report to his/her supervisor.

• To ensure that the lifeguard station is kept clean and tidy and in a state of readiness for emergencies.

• The Beach Lifeguards shall monitor the condition of the toilets and notify the Lifeguard Supervisor in the case of serious uncleanliness or damage.

• Conduct daily inspections of the ringbuoys in their patrol zone – and within reach beyond – and record same on their App provided. Lifeguards shall arrange weekly inspections (as a minimum) of all other ringbuoys on their beaches on the App with support from the Lifeguard Supervisor.

• Beach Lifeguards may be required to assist in conducting aquatic events and water safety programs.

• Beach Lifeguards shall carry out all appropriate duties as laid down in the Irish Water Safety Lifeguard Handbook.

• Beach Lifeguards should enter on the logbook, times of commencing and ceasing duty and log same with the Coastguard each day.

• Beach Lifeguards should make a note of any accident/incident such as rescues, etc., and record same on the App supplied. The general Logbook of daily events should also be maintained and available at all times for inspection by any duly authorised member of the County Council’s staff.

• The daily Logbook should also record:

• The names and attendance times of all guards on duty.

• The general weather and tidal conditions.

• What flags were flown and when they were changed during the day.

• Duties undertaken such as clearing of beach access, reporting of bin/toilet service, flags missing, First Aid administered, etc.

• Any information which may assist the Authorities in improving the service or support any future enquiry of daily events which could arise.

• The Logbook must be completed and maintained in a professional manner as it may be used as evidence at a later enquiry.

(d) Senior Beach Lifeguard Role

• The Senior Beach Lifeguard at each location will, in addition to carrying out all of the duties, etc., of Beach Lifeguard (including taking full part in any roster arrangements), be responsible for ensuring that the Beach Lifeguards at his/her location comply fully with the terms of the duties, responsibilities and general regulations of the post.

• Assist with the Water Quality Section, Environment Department, at various times over the summer season notifying the public of changes in bathing water quality, as necessary.

• To complete all appropriate rescue and first aid forms.

• To ensure beach access is clear of sand/litter/obstacles at all times.

• To ensure that all beach promotional services are fit for purpose (information boards, safety signage, Blue Flags, public seating, etc.) and notify the Lifeguard Supervisor if issues arise.

• Put out waste/recycling receptacles (as necessary) each day, monitor/empty bins (as necessary) and alert Lifeguard Supervisor (as necessary) if waste services are under strain. Beach Lifeguards shall also ensure litter is collected from their beach, its car park(s) and general environs.

Official Languages (Amendment) Acts, 2021

So that the Local Authority may meet its statutory obligations, a satisfactory competence in the Irish Language is deemed essential for appointment/assignment/re-assignment to Gaeltacht-based offices and offices serving Gaeltacht areas. Competence to be of a level where one can operate through the medium of Irish and provide services to the public in Irish, as per the provisions of the Official Languages (Amendment) Acts, 2021. An assessment of this competence may form an integral part of the recruitment and selection process.

Qualifications and requirements of the post

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for the position of Beach Lifeguard shall be as set out below:

(a) Age

Donegal County Council welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates. Candidates for the Summer Bathing Season 2026 must be not less than 18 years of age on commencement of employment.

(b) Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Prior to appointment, candidates must undergo and satisfactorily complete the Garda Vetting Process.

Successful Candidates will be required to fully complete and return the NVB1 Garda Vetting Invitation Form following acceptance of an offer of employment. For candidates who are under the age of 18 years, in addition to the NVB1 Form, a completed NVB3 Form should also be submitted by Parent/Guardian.

(c) Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Candidates will be required to complete a Health Self Declaration form prior to any appointment to the position of Beach Lifeguard.

Each candidate should be able to swim with endurance and proficiency at a level necessary to perform assigned duties.

Applicants will be required to pass a Pool Test prior to being appointed (see (d)(ii) below).

(d) Education, Experience

On the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, candidates shall:

(i) Beach Lifeguard Award

a) No candidate will be offered a Beach Lifeguard post until a valid Beach Lifeguard Certificate has been received by the Council. [Water Safety Ireland Beach Lifeguard or Royal Lifesaving Society (Ireland) or equivalent accepted.]

b) Certificates must be valid for the entire period of employment.

c) Delays in submitting the Certificate may result in a candidate not being offered a Beach Lifeguard post.

d) Candidates who do not hold a current Beach Lifeguard Certificate, or whose Certificate has expired, must specify on the application form the date on which they are undertaking the Beach Lifeguard Course or are having their certificates revalidated.

e) Beach Lifeguard Courses and Revalidations: Donegal-based Beach Lifeguard courses and Revalidations are dependent on demand. Applicants are advised to check with the course provider. Please text 085 1131114 for further details.

Please note that Information on other Beach Lifeguard Courses and Revalidations can be found on the following websites:

• www.watersafety.ie

• www.lifeguardsireland.com/courses.htm

• www.atlanticcoastlifeguards.com

(ii) Beach Lifeguard Pool Tests

All applicants must successfully complete the Beach Lifeguard Pool Test, carried out by Water Safety Ireland. The Donegal-based Beach Lifeguard tests are dependent on demand and Donegal County Council does not intend to hold any other pool tests this year other than that on the 4th April, 2026. Applicants are advised to check with the test provider by texting 085 1131114 for further details.

• Candidates may complete the pool test in another local authority area, but the results must be submitted to this Council and verified by the Council before any job offer can be made.

• It is the responsibility of candidates to ensure they complete a valid pool test.

The Pool Test will include the following elements:

(a) Water Practical

• 200-meter Freestyle (times under 4 minutes)

• 100-meter tow with can-buoy/Rescue Tube (timed under 4 minutes)

• 25-meter head up approach, release and 25-meter carry (Front Double)

• 25-meter head up approach, release and 25-meter carry (Rear Double)

• 20-meter approach, Surface Dive and Deep-water resuscitation

• Board Rescue – approach unconscious casualty, position on board (in deep water) and continue board rescue to end of pool.

(b) Land Practical

• Demonstrate Basic Lift Support and Aftercare, Adult and Infant

(c) Theory

• Basic Lift Support;

• First Aid;

• General Lifeguard Duties and Responsibilities.

Particulars of the Post

(a) General

Donegal County Council proposes to create a panel of qualified candidates for the position of Beach Lifeguard for the Summer Bathing Season 2026 (June to September 2026) from which it will fill any vacancy that may arise. Appointments will be made on both a part-time and full-time basis, as required.

Note: Positions on Bundoran & Rossnowlagh beaches begin full time from the 1st of June 2026; posts on all other beaches begin at weekends only from 1st June and subsequently operate on a full time basis from the 1st July, 2026.

(b) Probation

The successful candidate shall be required to be on probation for an initial period, as determined by the Council.

(c) Remuneration

The current national weekly rate of pay per hour is as follows:

• Junior Beach Lifeguard - €17.54

• Senior Beach Lifeguard - €19.59

No other allowances are payable.

(d) Base

The base for the post of beach lifeguard shall be determined by the Council and will depend on the particular beach to which the post holder is assigned. Donegal County Council reserves the right to assign any successful candidate to any area within the council, now or in the future, subject to reasonable notice.

(e) Residence

Holders of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

(f) Working Hours

Actual hours/days of work will be specified by your Line Manager. The working pattern for part-time Lifeguards will be determined based on the requirements for particular beaches.

You shall be required to complete a weekly timesheet and submit same to the Beach Lifeguard Supervisor. The timesheet should note actual hours worked. All hours worked will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

Full-time Beach Lifeguards will be required to work a six-day week during the bathing season.

Your annual leave entitlement will be based on the hours you work for the duration of the said period, exclusive of Public Holidays, for which you will be reimbursed, at the end of your contract, subject to full attendance during the contract period in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

(h) Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

(i) Conflicts of Interest

The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his duties as a local authority employee.

(j) Garda Vetting

Candidates for the post will be subject to Garda Vetting. Please note all candidates must attain a satisfactory Garda Vetting Disclosure prior to appointment, otherwise the offer of employment will be withdrawn.

In the event where a Garda Vetting Disclosure indicates that there is a case pending, then the appointment cannot proceed at that time and the offer of employment will be withdrawn. The candidate will however retain their position on the panel and will be considered for the next vacancy should same arise within the lifetime of the panel.