2026 Department of Environmental Management (DEM) SEASONAL PROGRAM
The State annually employs qualified responsible individuals in a variety of positions with the State's Parks, Beaches, Research Programs, and Administrative Offices during a specific limited period. Applicants will be considered for open seasonal positions based on their qualifications, availability, and willingness to travel to the assigned location(s).
Many of the classifications have a three-step pay-grade. An employee in any of these classifications is paid at the first step during his or her first season. An employee returning to the same three-step classification for a second season is paid at the second step during that season. An employee to the same three-step classification for a third or subsequent session is paid at the third step during that season.
The Department of Environmental Management is pleased to offer a bonus program for the 2026 beach season. All State Lifeguard, Supervising Lifeguard, and Seasonal Lifeguard Program Coordinator positions will qualify by meeting the below criteria:
Sign-on Bonus: Lifeguards who complete the onboarding process including submission of all required documents and receive their DEM Seasonal Employment Authorization Ticket by May 22nd, 2026, will be eligible to receive a $500 one-time sign-on bonus.
Retention Bonus: Lifeguard staff who remain in good standing throughout the course of their employment and who have not taken more than 3 unapproved days off (call outs) over the course of the summer, and remain employed at least part time continuously until September 7th, 2026, shall be eligible for a $500 one-time retention bonus.
Illustrative Examples of Work Performed
A seasonal beach manager oversees all functions and activities at an assigned state beach (surf or non-surf), such as scheduling, assignments, recommending disciplinary action and overall management of other seasonal staff hired to operate the beach, e.g., lifeguards, lifeguard supervisors, visitor service assistants, park rangers and seasonal natural resources operations assistants. This position oversees the safe operation of the waterfronts, daily maintenance contracts, maintenance and operation of bathhouses, sanitary facilities, first aid stations, parking lots and is at times responsible for managing contracted concession services at their facilities. The beach manager is also responsible to enforce all rules and regulations at the assigned beach and is responsible for ensuring relevant agency reports and documentation are completed.
Required Qualifications for Appointment
Any applicant to this position should have in-depth knowledge and experience related to the operations of a public beach.
State Beaches experience high visitation during peak periods such as weekends and holidays, therefore weekend and holiday shifts are required.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.
Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.
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The 074 Department of Environmental Management is responsible for protecting and improving the environment in Rhode Island.