Patrol Captain - Piha
Patrol Captain – Lead Lifeguarding on the Piha Coastline
Fixed Term | Full-time – 40-45 hours per week | $35/hr | Piha, West Auckland
Across Aotearoa, our volunteer lifeguards have saved thousands of lives and ensured millions have come home safe after a day at the beach since 1910. Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is truly unique, delivering proactive surf lifeguarding and essential emergency rescue services, a range of public education beach safety programmes and campaigns, member education, training and development as well as a highly respected sport. This is a great opportunity to join a talented team who are dedicated to helping achieve our vision of “No-one drowns at the beach in Aotearoa New Zealand”.
People are at the heart of everything we do; we support our clubs, volunteers, and each other through our collective values of:
Collaboration • Integrity • Respect • Wellbeing • Fun
Why This Role Stands Out
The Piha coastline is powerful, raw, and demanding. We’re looking for a confident, skilled Patrol Captain to lead our Paid Lifeguard Service this summer, someone who can read the surf, manage real-time risk, and inspire a team to perform at their best, every single day.
This is more than a beach job. It’s a frontline leadership role with real impact. You'll shape a high-performing safety culture while supporting emerging leaders and helping ensure thousands of beachgoers return home safely.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead daily beach patrols across multiple locations
- Deliver briefings, training refreshers & on-the-job coaching
- Support and mentor Vice Patrol Captains at Piha & North Piha
- Build trusted relationships with local clubs & SAR teams
- Apply sound judgment to manage risk and coordinate rescues
- Maintain rescue gear, IRBs, facilities & vehicles
- Champion professionalism and operational excellence
What You’ll Bring
Essential:
- SLSNZ Surf Lifeguard Award (or Bronze Medallion equivalent)
- NZ Driver’s License
- Surf First Aid (US 6400, 6401, 6402 or equivalent)
- IRB Crew Award (Driver Award desirable)
Skills & Attributes:
- Strong leadership and communication style
- Confident under pressure and solutions-focused
- Great with rosters, admin, and equipment checks
- Positive, proactive and values teamwork
- Experience engaging with stakeholders like clubs & emergency services
What We Offer
- Competitive seasonal salary
- Support with upskilling & awards
- A close-knit, purpose-led team
- The chance to lead and shape safety on one of NZ’s most iconic beaches
How to Apply
Submit online by 5pm, Thursday 11 September, including:
- Cover letter outlining your leadership and lifeguarding experience
- CV with at least two referees
- Copies of relevant qualifications (if not on PAM)
- NZ Driver’s License evidence
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 15 September.
For queries, contact chase.cahalane@lifesaving.org.nz
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
