Current Job Opportunities
Below are the current job opportunities for Gateway National Recreation Area.
Applications for jobs with the National Park Service are accepted via USAJOBS.gov, the federal government's official source for job listings and employment information. Learn more about working for the National Park Service. The jobs listed below are drawn from USAJOBS; clicking on any of them will take you to the detailed job announcement on that site.
Recreation Aid and Assistant (Lifeguard) (Seasonal)
Open Period: July 20, 2026 to July 31, 2026
Salary: $18.31 - $29.90 per hour
Series and Grade: GS 0189 3-5
Location(s): Jamaica Bay, Sandy Hook, and Staten Island Units
Who May Apply: The public
Job Summary: GS-03: Under guidance of a surf-lifeguard supervisor, lead or authorized designate, the incumbent will acquire proficiency in the performance of the following tasks: surveillance of activities of park visitors recreating on the beach; maintain lifeguard equipment; monitor weather, tide, ocean current and other related conditions; rescue swimmers in distress; provide urgent first-aid.
You must be able to pass the surf-lifeguard test. Candidates must pass all parts of the test - includes the following: Swim 550 yards continuously in less than 10 minutes using a swimming stroke performed on the front only; and Run 1.25 miles continuously in less than 12 minutes. All applicants will be tested upon entry on duty.
GS-04: Maintain vigilant surveillance of the activities of park visitors who are not only recreating in the ocean, but also at the water's edge. Maintain oneself, and also one's equipment, in a state of constant readiness, to be able to respond-very literally at a moment's notice-to life-threatening, on-the-job emergencies. Use surf-lifeguarding techniques that focus first and foremost on incident prevention rather than on incident intervention. Monitor weather, tide, ocean current, and related conditions that may not only affect the safety of those recreating in the ocean, but also at the water's edge. Warn park visitors about actions or conditions that are unsafe both in the ocean and on the beach. Rescue, alone or with others, swimmers in distress or in danger of drowning using a rescue-flotation device, rescue board, ocean kayak, surfboat, or motorized craft. Provide urgent first-aid care, including basic life support and CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), and the use of oxygen and automated external defibrillator (AED) equipment.
You must be able to pass the surf-lifeguard test. Candidates must pass all parts of the test - includes the following: Swim 550 yards continuously in less than 10 minutes using a swimming stroke performed on the front only; and Run 1.25 miles continuously in less than 12 minutes. All applicants will be tested upon entry on duty.
GS-05: These positions involve performing or leading work concerned with protecting the public against preventable danger and drowning death in the waters officially designated for swimming at a crowded and extended surf-beach seashore area. This work typically involves preventive surf-life guarding; rescuing, either individually or as a member of a team, persons in distress or in danger of drowning; administering urgent first-aid care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; controlling usually large crowds; operating and maintaining rescue equipment and enforcing agency regulations. Required to be able to work outdoors for long periods of time.
You must be able to pass the surf-lifeguard test. Candidates must pass all parts of the test - includes the following: Swim 550 yards continuously in less than 10 minutes using a swimming stroke performed on the front only; and Run 1.25 miles continuously in less than 12 minutes. All applicants will be tested upon entry on duty.
Engineering Equipment Operator (Seasonal)
Open Period: July 13, 2026 to August 3, 2026, or once 50 applications have been received
Salary: $34.64 - $40.47 per hour
Series and Grade: WG 5716 10
Location(s): Sandy Hook Unit
Who May Apply: The public
Job Summary:
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Operate heavy gasoline or diesel-powered engineering equipment.
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Operate equipment on mountainous or steep terrain to excavate, backfill, grade, or level earth to rough specifications on projects.
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Operate a boom for placing pipe, hydrants, and other large objects in utility and road maintenance operations throughout the park unit.
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Load, secure, and drive equipment to and from project sites.
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Perform pre-trip safety inspections on engineering equipment.
