Beach Lifeguard (Reserve Panel)

The Role

Beach Lifeguards will be responsible for the performance of their duties and will work under the immediate supervision of the Water Safety Development Officer or their nominee. 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 shall be referred to the Water Safety Development Officer, the Executive Engineer – Coastal or the Health and Safety Officer. The procedure for reporting issues of concern is set out in the Safety Statement.

Candidates shall be of good character.

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

Candidates must be 18 years of age on 30th June 2026 (or on taking up employment).

Each Candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

·       Hold a Water Safety Ireland Beach Lifeguard Award or equivalent, as recognised by the International Lifesaving Federation (ILSF).

·       Candidates will gain extra marks at interview for the following Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) qualifications:

o   Cardiac First Responder

o   Emergency First Responder

o   Occupational First Aid

In the event that an offer of employment is made, the candidate will be required to submit all relevant Educational Qualifications to meet the requirements above.

Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

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.

Candidates must, at the point of application, provide the following documents:

Copies of the following documents are required to be submitted with the application form as one complete PDF Document :

a)     A copy driving licence (front & back), or copy of photographic identification if a driving licence is not held

b)     Copies of Certificates for all qualifications, training, or awards listed in your application

The employment is temporary and pensionable and will continue for Summer Season 2026 only. The hours may be full-time or part-time depending on availability.

Rate of Wages

Beach Lifeguard:

1st point of General Operative scale from 1st February 2026 €17.79 per hour.

€693.83 per week (39-hour/6-day week) payable as follows:

Monday-Sunday €115.64 per day (12-noon to 6:30pm).

Double Time on Bank Holidays €231.28 per day (12-noon to 6:30pm);

The starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority, and 

a)     such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 and 2014, is Chief Executive, and

b)     to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority, or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him / her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The post holder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level if qualified to do so.

The following are among the principal duties envisaged:

BEACH LIFEGUARD DUTIES

The Beach

All equipment must be checked daily (each morning) to see that it is in working order and ready for use. Any defects notified should be reported immediately to the Council. 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:

                                                    i.     Red flag signifies that bathing is considered temporarily unsafe.

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

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

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

                                                   v.     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.

Except when the beach is empty, the Beach Lifeguard should be on 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 or in reading. The primary duty of the Beach Lifeguard is to prevent accident situations from developing. The rescue board 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 have to 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 one Beach Lifeguard only is employed, the following procedure should be adopted regarding the lunch hour:-

                                                    i.     No flag should be flown when he/she is off duty for his/her meal.

                                                   ii.     The meal must be arranged at a time other than the peak bathing hours.

Where two Beach Lifeguards are on duty on a particular beach –

                                                    i.     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,

                                                   ii.     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.

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

Log Book/ Administration

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

                                                   ii.     The general weather and tidal conditions.

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

                                                 iv.     Any information which may assist the Authorities in improving the service.

Bathers

1.   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.

2.   If, in the Beach Lifeguard’s opinion, 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 the reasons.

3.     Practice a philosophy of prevention over reaction in carrying out the service.

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

5.     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.

6.     To provide advice to the public regarding facilities, state of tides, currents, parts of beach which are not safe for bathing, hazards, water safety etc. To proactively implement this, including but not restricted to, by carrying out Public Relations & Educational patrols during quiet times.

7.     If the bathers are acting in an indecent manner, the Beach Lifeguard should bring this fact to the notice of the Garda Siochana at the earliest opportunity.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Candidates for the post must demonstrate that they have competency and skills in the following areas. Application forms should include one practical example which demonstrates these competencies. Interviews will be competency based and marks will be awarded under these skills sets.

Teamwork & Communication Skills

·       Be capable of dealing with difficult customers in an effective manner.

·       Be respectful, courteous and professional when dealing with customers and colleagues.

·       Understand customer needs and expectations and acts on these appropriately.

·       Develop and maintain good working relationships with others, sharing information and knowledge, as appropriate.

·       Understand their role in the team, making every effort to play his/her part.

·       Listen, take instructions and to keep calm under pressure

Candidates will also be assessed at interview on the basis of how they demonstrate their Specialist Knowledge

Specialist Knowledge

·       Knowledge and understanding of the role of Beach Lifeguard.

·       Range and depth of experience relevant to the post.

·       A clear understanding of Health & Safety Policy and Procedures and compliance standards, policies, procedures and legislation.

• Level of interest/enthusiasm for the position.

Holders of the position shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the

provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. Leave is calculated at 8% of the

hours worked in a leave year (but subject to a maximum of 4 working weeks).

Permission and prior authorisation is essential before annual leave is taken. The granting of

annual leave at any particular time is always subject to the requirements of the Council and all annual leave is liable to suspension during periods of exceptional pressure.

Mayo County Council is committed to offering meaningful feedback to candidates who request it, and to dealing with such requests in a timely and efficient manner, in accordance with Mayo County Council Interview and Selection Review Procedure. Please see our website for full details of procedure www.mayo.ie/careers/current-vacancies.

PRACTICAL TEST

Candidates will be required to undergo a practical test in basic life support, swimming ability and swimming rescue on 15th May 2026 at Lecanvey Community Centre and Pier at their own expense. See practical test examination sheet. Date to be confirmed.

INTERVIEW

All eligible candidates must attend both the interview and practical test in order to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which Reserve Beach Lifeguards may be appointed.

Interviews will be held in Room 4 Aras an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar. The date of interview to be confirmed.

Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the Local Authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the position and that they are otherwise suitable for employment may within the life of the panel be employed as appropriate vacancies arise.

Successful applicants may be offered either weekday or weekend employment at the discretion of Mayo County Council

COMPULSORY INDUCTION TRAINING

It is mandatory for all successful candidates to attend at Induction Training which will be held on 25th and 26th May, 2026. All successful applicants will be notified of the details, in due course.

Candidates who do not attend the Induction Training will NOT receive an offer of employment.