Salary : $140,192.00 - $169,208.00 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Job Number:
Business Area: 1912 - Fire-Rescue
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

JOB INFORMATION
Marine Safety Captain positions direct and administer the operation of a marine safety program(s); support the Lifeguard Chief on meet and confer items; evaluate the work performance of subordinates; perform strategic planning and administration; investigate major rescue operations; review and determine policies as to methods of operation; make recommendations concerning the development of policies, rules, laws, and municipal ordinances; control expenditures; set up guidelines of operation for the training and scheduling of personnel; coordinate and prepare reports and preliminary budget requests; maintain records; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• In accordance with California Public Resources Code section 5163, all persons holding Marine Safety Captain positions must get tested for tuberculosis (TB) when hired and every four years thereafter as a condition of continued employment.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EXPERIENCE: You must meet ONE of the following options:

1. One year of full-time experience supervising an ocean lifeguard unit or boating safety unit performing enforcement functions at a level equivalent to a Marine Safety Lieutenant with the City of San Diego (a position that plans, assigns, and supervises the activities of subordinate lifeguards within an assigned lifeguard district on ocean or bay beaches).
2. 18 months of full-time experience supervising an ocean lifeguard unit or boating safety unit performing enforcement functions at a level equivalent to a Lifeguard Sergeant with the City of San Diego (a position that supervises an assigned beach area within a lifeguard district).

NOTE:

• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• A valid Emergency Medical Technician Certificate issued by the State of California or National Registry Certificate and recognized by the San Diego County Emergency Medical Services Authority (LEMSA).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):

• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.
SCREENING PROCESS
Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, which may include a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All of these processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may be cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.
City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.

Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).

Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.
01

I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Resumes are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?

• Current city employee
• Former city employee
• Current & former city employee
• None of the above

03

If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.
04

The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of full-time experience do you have supervising an ocean lifeguard unit or boating safety unit performing enforcement functions at a level equivalent to a Marine Safety Lieutenant with the City of San Diego (a position that plans, assigns, and supervises the activities of subordinate lifeguards within an assigned lifeguard district on ocean or bay beaches)?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

06

Describe your full-time experience supervising an ocean lifeguard unit or boating safety unit performing enforcement functions at a level equivalent to a Marine Safety Lieutenant with the City of San Diego. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties, and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
07

How many months of full-time experience do you have supervising an ocean lifeguard unit or boating safety unit performing enforcement functions at a level equivalent to a Lifeguard Sergeant with the City of San Diego (a position that supervises an assigned beach area within a lifeguard district)?

• None
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 12 months
• 12 months to less than 18 months
• 18 months to less than 24 months
• 24 months to less than 30 months
• 30 months or more

08

Describe your full-time experience supervising an ocean lifeguard unit or boating safety unit performing enforcement functions at a level equivalent to a Lifeguard Sergeant with the City of San Diego. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties, and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
09

Do you possess a valid Emergency Medical Technician Certificate issued by the State of California or National Registry Certificate and recognized by the San Diego County Emergency Medical Services Authority (LEMSA)?

• Yes
• No

Required Question