The Assateague State Park Beach Patrol is responsible for guarding the day use area-swimming beach as well as responding to emergencies along the other 1 and ½ to 2 miles of coastline inside the park boundaries.

Every winter/spring, Lifeguard Candidates must pass a rigorous pre-employment screening process, which consists of validation of pre-requisite basic lifeguarding certifications, an interview, and physical testing to include a 500-meter swim completed in under ten minutes. Once Lifeguard Candidates successfully complete the pre-employment phase, they then move onto the Lifeguard Training Academy. During the paid, 8 day Academy, lifeguard candidates will receive open water rescue and medical training, to the standards of the United States Lifesaving Association. Finally, once Lifeguard Candidates complete the Academy, they become Assateague State Park Ocean Lifeguards, and guard the beach daily from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through the Monday of Labor Day Weekend, 10am-5pm. Assateague State Park employs lifeguards as available beyond Labor Day Monday to Columbus Day in mid-October, when the season finally ends.

Important dates for the 2022 Lifeguarding Season are as follows:

Pre-employment testing and interviews are to be held at the Richard A Henson Family YMCA in Salisbury Maryland at 9am on 2/13/22 and 3/27/22. A third and final pre-employment test/interview will be held at the Ocean Pines Sports Core Pool in Berlin MD on 4/10/22 at 9am. Testing will consist of a timed 500 meter swim to be completed in 10 minutes or less followed by a 1/4 mile run to be completed in 2 minutes or less. All applicants who pass pre employment testing will be interviewed for a lifeguard position and to attend the paid ASBP Academy to be held  5/14, 15, 21, 22, and 24-27th, with makeup dates for Candidates not yet having graduated high school on 5/28-5/29 and 6/4-6/5.​

The Assateague State Park Beach Patrol recognizes that many lifeguards and lifeguard candidates are members of swim teams. As such, ASBP is willing to make reasonable accommodations in terms of scheduling for members of swim teams for training and competition obligations.

Anyone 16 years of age or older, who is interested in more information, can contact Assateague State Park by phone at 410-641-2120 or by email at assateague.statepark@maryland.gov

Applications for employment can be submitted online at https://jobapscloud.com/MD/ - Keyword: Assateague