Make waves with Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue

The Town of Kitty Hawk is looking for passionate Ocean Rescue Lifeguards to join our team of beach-loving ambassadors! Help protect our residents and visitors as they enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks. If you’re a strong swimmer, love the outdoors, and want a summer job with purpose, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

We’re looking for experienced swimmers age 18 and older who are ready to make safety their top priority.

GREAT PAY + HOUSING OPTIONS

• Starting pay: $21.50 per hour for new recruits.
• Additional incentives are available for experienced and returning guards. Your final hourly rate will be determined after applicable incentives are applied.
• Affordable housing: Limited dorm-style housing available for just $50 per week through payroll deduction.
• Convenient locations: Housing is available at the Fire House and the Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue Cottage, both just minutes from the beach.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Get ready for an exciting summer filled with teamwork, training, and opportunities to make a real difference!

As a Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue Lifeguard, you’ll monitor the beach, help keep beachgoers safe, respond to emergencies, and work alongside an outstanding team of lifeguards and fire and rescue professionals.

Your summer schedule:

• Daily shifts from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Seasonal employment from Memorial Day through Labor Day
• Availability to work any day of the week, including weekends and holidays as scheduled
• Mandatory training sessions twice a week throughout the summer

We work hard, train hard, and rely on one another to keep our beaches safe!

ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

Before joining the team, you must meet these minimum physical requirements:

• 500-meter swim in 10 minutes or less
• One mile run in under 10 minutes

Start training now! Building your swimming endurance and running speed will help you prepare for the qualifying test at the beginning of the academy.

MANDATORY OCEAN RESCUE TRAINING ACADEMY

May 17–28, 2027 | Kitty Hawk, NC

Full academy attendance is mandatory. Your training begins with the qualifying swim-and-run test, so come prepared to show us what you can do!

During this paid training academy, you’ll receive instruction in:

• American Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
• Advanced agency training based on United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) standards
• VFIS Emergency Services ATV/UTV Safety Program

You’ll also train alongside our outstanding Kitty Hawk Fire Department crew and work with them throughout the summer season.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A KITTY HAWK LIFEGUARD

No two days on the beach are alike! As a Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue Lifeguard, you’ll combine beachside adventure with an important mission: keeping our residents and visitors safe.

• Be a beach ambassador! Welcome beachgoers and represent the Town of Kitty Hawk with a friendly attitude and a commitment to exceptional service.
• Keep watch! Monitor swimmers, beach conditions, and potential hazards to help ensure everyone enjoys a safe day at the beach.
• Hit the sand! Patrol the beach on an ATV, stay alert, and help keep our shoreline safe.
• Respond when it matters! Provide emergency assistance and support EMS when beachgoers need help.
• Make rescues a team effort! Work alongside fellow lifeguards during emergencies, relying on training, communication, and teamwork.
• Partner with the pros! Collaborate with Kitty Hawk Fire Rescue and Dare County EMS to deliver outstanding emergency response and public service.

WHAT CAN YOU BRING TO THE TEAM?

We’re looking for more than strong swimmers. We want enthusiastic, dependable team players who are ready to take on the challenges of ocean rescue!

• Energy and enthusiasm: Bring a positive attitude and the motivation to give your best every day.
• A love for the outdoors: Enjoy working outside in the sun, sand, surf, and changing beach conditions.
• Strong communication skills: Communicate clearly, interact professionally with the public, and work effectively with your team.
• Quick thinking and sound judgment: Stay calm under pressure, make responsible decisions, and put your training into action.
• A commitment to safety: Respect the power of the ocean, recognize potential hazards, and put public safety first.
• Teamwork and reliability: Be ready to train hard, support your fellow lifeguards, and work collaboratively with emergency response partners.

LOVE THE BEACH? READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Turn your passion for the outdoors into a summer opportunity that matters. Join Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue and help make every beach day safer!

READY TO MAKE A SPLASH?

Join a team that protects lives, serves the community, and makes every summer day safer on the Outer Banks!

Bring your skills. Build your experience. Make a difference.

Become a Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue Lifeguard!

Check out what Lifeguard Competition looks like in the Outer Banks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbjQ8l53a0w&t=3s           

Special Requirements

This position requires a current driver’s license valid in the State of North Carolina. 

What to expect from the process:

All interested candidates are asked to complete the employment application on the Town of Kitty Hawk website:

https://www.kittyhawknc.gov/town-jobs/

Click on the Town Employment Application.  Please complete the employment application and send it to laura.walker@kittyhawknc.gov

Please note that selected candidates will be required to undergo a background check, including State of North Carolina fingerprinting through the State Bureau of Investigation, as well as physical and drug screening as conditions of employment.

Following a conditional offer, candidates will receive guidance on the fingerprinting process.