Ocean City Beach Patrol Heading to Canada for Employment Opportunity
Our first off site test /Pre-Employment Skills Evaluation (PEPSE) for summer 2024 will be Saturday, November 4th at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Although the OCBP has been conducting testing away from Ocean City for many years, this will be the first time we are hosting an event in Canada.
Each season, the OCBP employs over a dozen Canadian students (J-1 Visa). To be hired, all of them have had to drive (or fly) to one of our off-site tests. With such a high interest from so many Canadian citizens to live and work in Ocean City, we are traveling to Montreal with a small team of testing officers to hold a “Lifesaving Conference” on November 4th. We have over 100 current and past Canadian employees who live in Canada who are willing to help with recruiting throughout their country. By affording our Canadian candidates this opportunity, the OCBP hopes that the additional time to secure a J-1 Visa and summer accommodations will relieve some of the stress involved with working in Ocean City.
There are no pre-certification requirements and experience in ocean rescue is not necessary to apply. All training and certifications will be provided in a paid ($20.00 hr.) Surf Rescue Academy, which is being conducted in Ocean City in May and in June of 2024. Successful candidates are eligible for both a $500 “Signing Bonus” and an additional $250 rental housing stipend. We also offer late season incentives for any time worked after the 3rd week in August, including a $1.00 per hr. late season “Appreciation Bonus”, a $140 travel stipend for each return trip to Ocean City as well as a Post Labor Day $250 bonus. Many additional incentives are being offered for 2024. For a complete list visit JoinBeachPatrol.com.
Additional information will be sent to applicants once they register online for a test. Applicants should prepare for orientation and a full day of testing beginning in the morning, shortly after check-in. Candidates will be required to swim 500m, run 400m, perform simulated swimming rescues and demonstrate the capacity to run fast in timed sprint races. All water-related activities will take place in an indoor pool with all running activities outside.
Pre-registration is not required; however, candidates are strongly encouraged to pre-register for the test by visiting JoinBeachPatrol.com. The Beach Patrol requires acceptable proof of age of all candidates, which can be a driver’s license, birth certificate or passport. Without proper proof of age, applicants will not be permitted to participate. In addition, applicants must be 17 years old or older prior to June 24, 2024, and those under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian during the entire testing process.
Following the physical skills evaluation, those meeting qualifying standards are eligible for appointment to the Beach Patrol’s Surf Rescue Academy (SRA). The SRA is eight days long and provides all training and certifications required to be a Surf Rescue Technician while earning $20.00 per hour. Successful candidates who are available for the May 19th academy will earn approximately four additional weeks of paid work (almost $3,600.00) compared to candidates who attend the June 16th SRA. Even if you test early, anyone from any PEPSE may choose to attend SRA II which reports Sunday, June 16, 2024. Also, once all positions are filled, we will stop hiring for the 2024 season.
For additional information, including future testing dates, please contact the Ocean City Beach Patrol at 410-289-7556 or visit www.oceancitymd.gov/ocbp.