Temporary Beach Lifeguard

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. Health

Candidates must be in a good state of health and be free from any ailments which would render them unsuitable to hold the position.

3. Age

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age on or before 30th April 2026.

4. Citizenship

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

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

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

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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

5. Education, Training, Experience, Etc.

• Candidates must hold an Irish Water Safety Beach Lifeguard Award or equivalent, as recognised by the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS).

• While the above qualification is the minimum requirement for this post, the following Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) qualifications would also be desirable:

  • Cardiac First Responder

  • Emergency First Responder

  • Occupational First Aid

• Relevant experience in relation to the post would be an advantage.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT1. The Post

The post is temporary for the 2026 Bathing Season only. Successful applicants may be offered either weekday or weekend employment at the discretion of Sligo County Council.

2. Duties

Beach Lifeguards will be primarily responsible for the following:

• All aspects of water safety pertaining to the position.

• The enforcement of the Beach Bye-Laws 2007.

• On Enniscrone beach, duties will include traffic management of beach area including opening/closing of barrier. It will include advising bathers of the danger of swimming at the promenade outside of the designated swimming zones.

• On Rosses Point Second Beach, duties will include advising beach users of the dangers of incoming tides.

Main Duties

• 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 Beachguards; participate in induction training and co-operate 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 Area Engineer, or the Health and Safety Officer. The procedure for reporting issues of concern is set out in the Safety Statement.

The Beach

• All equipment must be checked daily (each morning) to see that it is in working order and ready for use. Any defects should be reported immediately to the Council. Inspect all lifesaving and first aid equipment on arrival for duty to ensure 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

• Provide emergency rescue service in the case of accidents.

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

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

Other Duties for Consideration

• Except when the beach is empty, the Beach Lifeguard should be on patrol or on lookout outside the hut. They should never be inside the hut except when relieved for meals or when certain nobody is on the beach. Concentration should not be diverted in conversations with the public or in reading, playing cards, using transistors or musical instruments, etc. The operation of any mobile phones/electronic devices for personal use while on duty is prohibited.

• The primary duty of the Beach Lifeguard is to prevent accident situations from developing. The can-buoy should be strategically placed for immediate use. 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 remains on duty during the other’s absence to patrol their area in addition to their own.

• Where two Beach Lifeguards are on duty on a particular beach:

  • One Beach Lifeguard shall remain at a vantage point with a full view of the beach on constant lookout.

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

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

• Carry out a beach patrol maintained along the beach; when the tide is in, patrol should be maintained as close to the beach as possible.

• Provide constant observation and supervision of activities at public bathing places to prevent drowning accidents.

• Inspect the patrol area and remove dangerous or offensive items where possible. If unable to deal with the matter, immediately report to supervisor.

• Ensure the Beach Lifeguard station is kept clean, tidy, and in a state of readiness for emergencies.

• Assist in opening and closing public toilets at the start and end of shift if required. Report the condition of toilets in Daily Report Forms, noting serious uncleanliness or damage.

• Check ring buoys and other safety equipment on the beach at appropriate times.

• Assist in conducting aquatic events and water safety programs if required.

• Carry out all duties as laid down in the Irish Water Safety Lifeguard Handbook.

• Complete sign-in sheets on commencing and ceasing duty at morning, meal-time, and evening each day and note any incidents such as rescues using rescue report forms. All report forms should be available for inspection by County Council staff.

• Record daily using sign-in sheets and daily report forms:

  • Names and attendance times of all Beach Lifeguards on duty.

  • General weather and tidal conditions.

  • What flags were flown and when they were changed.

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

• Keep an “Accident and Incident Record” using “Rescue / Assisted Person” Report Form.

• Senior Beach Lifeguard at each location will ensure Beach Lifeguards comply fully with the duties, responsibilities, and general regulations of the post.

• Provide water samples for the Water Quality Section, Environment Department, at various times over the summer season.

• Complete all appropriate forms: sign-in sheets, rescue reports, daily reports, water safety statistic forms.

• Provide advice to the public regarding facilities, tides, currents, hazards, water safety, and proactively implement public relations & educational patrols during quiet times.

• May be assigned to carry out duties of Beach Warden on Strandhill Beach to cover periods of leave.

• Any other duties assigned from time to time.

3. Reporting Arrangements

The holder of the post will report directly to the Water Safety Development Officer or any person nominated by the Director of Services.

4. Location

Sligo County Council will assign candidates to specific locations and may transfer candidates from one location to another as necessary.

Enniscrone & Rosses Point Beaches:

• Weekends starting from 30th May 2026 & Public Holiday on 1st June 2026

• Full-time cover: 27th June to 30th August 2026

• Weekends only: 5th & 6th September 2026, 12th & 13th September 2026

Streedagh & Dunmoran Beaches:

• Weekends from 27th June to 30th August 2026 including Public Holiday on 3rd August 2026

Candidates may be asked to provide cover during May on an on-call basis at the discretion of Sligo County Council.

5. Superannuation

Under the Single Public Sector Pension Scheme, contributions shall be made in respect of Superannuation at a rate of 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3½% of net pensionable remuneration.

6. Remuneration

• Senior Lifeguard: €19.82 per hour

• Beach Lifeguard: €17.78 per hour

Beach Lifeguards are required to work Sunday as part of their contract. In accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, this is accounted for in pay rates.

7. Method of Selection

Selection shall be by competition based on an interview and practical test in basic life support, swimming ability, and swimming rescue, conducted at candidates’ own expense. Attendance at both interview and practical test is mandatory. The panel is valid for the 2026 Bathing Season only.

8. Garda Vetting / References

• Appointment is subject to Garda Vetting under the National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012–2016.

• NVB 1 (Garda Vetting Invitation) form must be completed and returned with two forms of ID.

• References are required and must be satisfactory to the employer.

• Former local authority Beach Lifeguards must provide a reference from that authority.

9. Uniform

Wearing the full uniform provided by Sligo County Council is mandatory. Uniformed Beach Lifeguards must be highly visible and patrolling the controlled bathing area.

10. Working Hours

• Rosses Point and Enniscrone: 11.30 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. (30 minutes unpaid lunch)

• Streedagh and Dunmoran: 12.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m. (30 minutes unpaid lunch)

11. Code of Practice

• Punctuality must be observed; report 10 minutes before the shift.

• Notify Irish Coastguard and Water Safety Development Officer at start and end of duty.

• Notify Water Safety Development Officer immediately if unable to report for duty.

• Report any sickness or disability affecting efficiency immediately.

• No intoxicating liquor or unauthorised drugs; illegal substance use or intoxication results in suspension.

• Mobile phones provided for work; personal calls must be paid by Lifeguard; personal use prohibited during duty.

12. Annual Leave

• Governed by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

• Leave calculated at 8% of hours worked (maximum 4 weeks).

• Leave only during full-time cover (27th June – 30th August 2026).

• Permission and prior authorisation essential; leave subject to Council requirements.

13. Sick Leave

• As per Sligo County Council’s Sick Leave Scheme and Attendance Management Policy & Procedure, amended by Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2014, and any subsequent regulations.

14. Data Protection

Sligo County Council complies with Data Protection Legislation including the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR. Policy and Privacy Statements: Data Protection (GDPR) (sligococo.ie)