For Immediate Release:
Ocean City Beach Patrol Employment Opportunity
Testing Salisbury YMCA, Salisbury, MD
The Beach Patrol will continue conducting pre-employment physical skills evaluations (PEPSE) for the 2021 season. We will begin our off-site evaluations on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at the Salisbury, Maryland YMCA. There are no pre-certification requirements and experience in ocean rescue is not necessary to apply or be hired. All training and certifications will be provided in a paid ($15.60 hr) Surf Rescue Academy, which is being conducted in Ocean City in May or June of 2021.
Registration for the test begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by orientation to the Beach Patrol and the testing procedures; Each candidate must have a mask and will be given a wellness check, including body temperature, before being accepted to participate in the testing. Following registration, an English language proficiency test and orientation, applicants should be prepared for a full day of testing. 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 and all running activities will be outside. Social distancing and other procedures will be in place, when possible, while assessing candidates’ abilities to successfully perform the required skills.
Although pre-registration is not required, candidates are strongly encouraged to pre-register for the test by visiting www.ococean.com/ocbp. The Beach Patrol requires acceptable proof of age of all candidates, which can be a driver’s license, birth certificate or U.S. 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 28, 2021, 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 $15.60 per hour. Successful candidates who are available for the May academy will earn approximately four additional weeks of paid work (almost $3,000.00) compared to candidates who attend the June SRA. Even if you test early, anyone from any PEPSE may choose to attend SRA II which reports the 3rd week of June. Also, once all positions are filled, we will stop hiring for the 2021 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.
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