Senior Beach Lifeguard

Seasonal Term Contract – 7 months (Multiple Positions Available)

Lead from the sand, protect the community, and help shape the future of beach safety across Lake Macquarie’s iconic coastline.

• Lead critical emergency response and beach safety operations across Lake Macquarie’s iconic coastline

• Play a key leadership role in mentoring lifeguards and driving a high-performing safety culture

• Join a professional, experienced and highly respected Lifeguard team committed to protecting the community

LET’S EXPLORE THE JOB

An exciting opportunity is now available for experienced and motivated Senior Beach Lifeguards to join Council’s Leisure Services team. Based across our four patrolled beaches Redhead, Blacksmiths, Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay, this role is ideal for a passionate professional who thrives in a dynamic outdoor environment and is committed to delivering the highest standards of public safety, leadership and operational excellence.

As a Senior Beach Lifeguard, you will play a key leadership role in coordinating beach safety operations, emergency response activities, training and continuous improvement initiatives. You will work closely with lifeguards, emergency services, surf lifesaving volunteers and the wider community to ensure safe and enjoyable beach experiences for residents and visitors alike.

No two days are the same. From leading rescues and coordinating emergency responses, to mentoring staff, delivering training and assessing dynamic beach conditions, this role offers a fast-paced and highly rewarding environment where your leadership directly contributes to public safety.

Hours are based on a 7-day roster with shifts rostered across the beaches within Lake Macquarie and shifts may also involve travel to surrounding areas. 

Your responsibilities include:

• Lead lifeguarding and regulatory operations across Council’s patrolled beaches

• Coordinate emergency responses, rescues and patient handovers with emergency services

• Assess environmental and surf conditions to proactively minimise risk

• Mentor, support and develop lifeguard staff through training and leadership

• Develop and deliver training and continuous improvement initiatives

• Maintain strong relationships with emergency services, surf lifesaving volunteers and internal stakeholders

• Operate rescue equipment including 4WDs, ATVs and jet skis

• Help shape a positive, high-performing and safety-focused team

As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will undertake a practical skills and fitness assessment which includes:

• Swimming endurance and fitness testing

• Conditions assessment

• Watercraft technique

• Resuscitation technique

• General physical capability and endurance

Read the position statement and learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Please remove if not applicable to the position, relates to volunteer status. The position may require:

• Weekend and Public Holiday work

• On call work

• Travel and/or work across multiple sites

LET’S HEAR ABOUT YOU

You are an experienced beach lifeguard professional who leads by example and remains calm, decisive and professional in high-pressure situations. You bring strong operational experience, excellent situational awareness and a genuine passion for community safety.

You are a confident communicator who can build strong working relationships with team members, volunteers, emergency services and members of the public. Along with your technical capability and rescue expertise, you are passionate about mentoring others, delivering training and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

Most importantly, you are someone who takes pride in protecting the community and delivering exceptional beach safety outcomes.

You bring:

• Extensive experience in ‘feet in the sand’ Professional Beach Lifeguarding

• Current Apply First Aid Certificate, or equivalent from a registered training provider

• Current Advanced Resuscitation Certificate (including Oxygen and Defibrillation), or equivalent, from a registered training provider

• Current Spinal Management qualification or equivalent, from a registered training provider

• Certificate III Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue)

• Current Working with Children Check

• Class C Driver’s Licence

• Successful completion of all required fitness and skill assessments outlined in Department Local Government – Practice Note 15

• Demonstrated experience operating rescue equipment including 4WDs, ATVs and jet skis

• Proven ability to communicate effectively with staff and key stakeholders, including members of the public providing excellent customer service

• Proven ability to work unsupervised, motivate staff and foster relationships

• Proven ability to deliver face-to-face training and education programs

LET’S REVEAL THE PERKS

• Competitive salary from $1428.82 to $1660.50 per week plus 12% superannuation

• Additional Enterprise Agreement allowances may apply

• Enterprise Agreement salary increase effective July 2026

• Flexible 7-day roster

• Ongoing training and development opportunities

• Uniforms and PPE supplied

• Free parking within walking distance to beach locations

• Corporate fitness membership from only $8 per week with access to a range of fitness and wellbeing facilities across the Hunter

• Join a passionate and supportive team environment where professionalism, teamwork and continuous improvement are highly valued.

• Combine leadership, community service and outdoor operational work while making a real difference to public safety across Lake Macquarie’s beaches.

• Plus, more benefits!

CHOOSE THE LAKE MAC WAY

We know it is our people that will shape the future of our city. That’s why we’re passionate about providing a workplace that empowers our staff to be creative, innovative and bold. When you join the team at Lake Macquarie City Council, you’re joining a group of people with a commitment to make our city even better. We’re proud of our city and the work we do, and we know you will be too.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workforce. We believe that a diverse network of employees, which truly reflects the people it serves and represents, is best equipped to understand and meet the needs of our community.  We welcome and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community, refugees and people with disability. We understand the skills and attributes veterans can bring to our Council.

LET’S START

• If you’re an experienced lifeguard ready to take the next step in your career and help lead a high-performing beach safety service, we’d love to hear from you! Submit your application by midnight, Sunday 7 June 2026

Recruitment Timeline​

• Practical Assessments: Tuesday 16 June 2026

• Interviews: Friday 19 June 2026

• Start date: 12 September 2026

Want to know more?

• For enquiries related to the duties of the role, please contact Paul Stone, Coordinator Leisure Operations, 04•• ••• 253 or via email [email protected]

• If you require assistance with submitting your application, please Georgina Green, Talent Attraction Partner, 4921 0495 or via email [email protected]

• Your experience throughout the application process matters to us. If you'd like feedback on your application or interview, don't hesitate to get in touch — we're here for you!

To complete your online application, you will be required to upload:

• A current resume; and

• Responses to the application questions based on the criteria outlined in the Position Statement.

Please note recommended candidates may be required to undertake a pre-employment medical assessment, which may include alcohol and other drugs testing, prior to an offer of employment being made.