Ocean City Hosts Annual Job Fair Friday

The Town of Ocean City, Maryland will host its annual municipal job fair Friday, February 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, offering job seekers free access to hiring managers across 12 municipal departments seeking candidates for seasonal and year-round positions.

"If you have dreamed of working at the beach, here is your chance!" the town announced January 12, emphasizing the event provides "access to supervisors seeking talented candidates in every discipline, from public safety to camp counselors, to bus drivers and lifeguards, and everything in between."

Departments attending include Recreation and Parks, Convention Center, Beach Patrol, Police Department, Fire Department/Fire Marshal, Public Works, Water, Construction, Maintenance, Solid Waste, and Transportation—representing virtually every municipal function from emergency services to infrastructure management.

The positions span skill levels and experience requirements. Beach Patrol seeks lifeguards requiring rigorous physical testing and ocean rescue certification, while Transportation needs bus drivers with commercial driver's licenses to operate Ocean City's public transit system. Recreation and Parks recruits camp counselors for summer youth programs, and Public Works fills maintenance technicians handling everything from road repair to facility upkeep.

"This job fair is a great opportunity for anyone seeking employment with the Town of Ocean City to pursue a new position or even a new career," commented Human Resources Director Katie Callan. The event marks Ocean City's continued effort to staff up ahead of the busy summer tourism season when the beach town's population swells from 7,000 year-round residents to over 300,000 visitors on peak weekends.

The timing allows the town to build workforce capacity before Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of beach season when demand for municipal services—from beach lifeguarding to waste collection to public transportation—increases dramatically. Early recruitment ensures new hires complete training and onboarding before summer crowds arrive.

How Does Ocean City's Beach Patrol Hiring Work?

Beach Patrol positions attract intense interest as coveted summer jobs, but hiring involves significant physical demands. Ocean City employs approximately 200 Surf Rescue Technicians (SRTs) each summer to patrol 10 miles of Atlantic beaches.

Prospective lifeguards must pass a Pre-Employment Physical Skills Evaluation (PEPSE) including:

• 300-meter soft sand sprint in 65 seconds or less
• 400-meter ocean swim in 10 minutes or less
• Simulated rescue exercises with rescue buoy equipment
• Oral English proficiency test

Successful candidates attend paid Surf Rescue Training Academies in May and June, learning ocean rescue techniques and emergency response. PEPSE tests occur at multiple locations including Annapolis and Ocean Pines, with successful lifeguards earning approximately $15-18 per hour during the Memorial Day through Labor Day season.

What Other Municipal Roles Are Available?

Beyond Beach Patrol, Ocean City's diverse municipal operations offer employment across numerous sectors requiring varied skill sets and experience levels. The breadth of positions reflects a small city providing comprehensive services to both year-round residents and seasonal visitors.

Police Department seeks sworn officers requiring Maryland Police academy completion, plus civilian roles in dispatch and support. Starting salaries typically range $50,000-$60,000 annually with comprehensive benefits.

Fire Department recruits firefighters, EMTs, and fire inspectors. Firefighter positions require EMT certification minimum. Transportation operates Ocean City's free public bus system, needing commercial driver's license holders for positions paying $16-20 per hour.

Recreation and Parks manages Eagles Landing Golf Course, Racquet Center, Ocean Bowl Skate Park, and community centers, recruiting camp counselors, recreation programmers, facility maintenance staff, and athletic officials. Seasonal positions run May through September.

Public Works divisions handle infrastructure including roads, water treatment, solid waste collection, and construction. Roles range from entry-level laborers at $14-16 per hour to licensed operators earning $20-25 per hour to supervisors commanding $60,000+ annually.

Convention Center operations staff work events ranging from trade shows to concerts to community gatherings at the 214,000 square-foot Roland E. Powell facility. Positions include event coordinators, technical staff managing audio/visual equipment, custodial workers, and security personnel. Convention Center roles often involve evening and weekend work corresponding to event schedules.

How Do Candidates Apply at the Job Fair?

The February 21 event provides direct access to decision-makers who can expedite hiring processes that might otherwise take weeks through traditional application channels. Hiring managers from each department staff individual booths where candidates can discuss specific positions, ask questions about duties and compensation, and submit applications immediately.

The convention center will provide on-site computers enabling candidates to complete electronic applications during the fair. Ocean City uses the governmentjobs.com/careers/oceancitymd platform for official applications, and the availability of computers eliminates barriers for candidates lacking personal devices or internet access at home.

Candidates should bring multiple copies of resumes, professional references, and any relevant certifications or licenses (commercial driver's licenses, EMT certifications, teaching credentials, etc.). While the fair emphasizes accessibility, presenting polished application materials improves candidates' prospects amid competition for desirable positions.

The informal face-to-face format allows hiring managers to assess candidates beyond paper credentials. Departments value enthusiasm, communication skills, customer service orientation, and genuine interest in public service—qualities difficult to evaluate through online applications but evident in personal conversations.

For positions requiring specialized skills or certifications, managers can explain qualification pathways and direct candidates toward appropriate training programs. The Police Department, for example, can guide interested applicants through the police academy application process, while Beach Patrol representatives can outline PEPSE testing schedules and SRT academy requirements.

Candidates unable to attend the fair can still apply through the town's online portal at governmentjobs.com/careers/oceancitymd, which lists current openings with detailed descriptions, qualification requirements, and salary ranges. However, the job fair offers advantages including immediate feedback, networking with hiring managers, and potential for accelerated consideration.

Ocean City advertises positions through multiple channels beyond the fair, including local and regional newspapers, job-sharing websites, social media, Department of Labor offices, and bulletin boards at City Hall. The town encourages applicants to monitor the careers portal regularly as new positions post throughout the year corresponding to staffing needs and budget approvals.

What Makes Ocean City Municipal Employment Attractive?

Working for Ocean City combines public service with coastal lifestyle benefits distinct from typical municipal positions.

Year-round positions offer stability with competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits including health insurance, state retirement contributions, paid leave, and professional development opportunities. Full-time municipal employees often earn 10-20% above private sector equivalents.

Seasonal employment attracts college students and teachers seeking summer income. Many return annually, building networks and advancing into supervisory roles. The beachfront location provides lifestyle perks—lifeguards work with ocean views, recreation staff program beach events, even Public Works crews experience coastal environments daily.

Ocean City's tourism economy creates employment density unusual for a 7,000-resident town, generating substantial summer opportunities. Career advancement opportunities exist through internal promotions, with the town rewarding loyalty through seniority-based benefits.

People Also Asked

Q: What time is the Ocean City job fair and where is it located? The Town of Ocean City job fair takes place Friday, February 21, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. The event is free to attend with no registration required—job seekers can simply arrive during the three-hour window to meet with hiring managers. The convention center provides on-site computers for completing applications, though candidates should bring resumes, references, and relevant certifications. Twelve municipal departments will staff booths including Beach Patrol, Police, Fire Department, Recreation and Parks, Public Works, Transportation, Water, Construction, Maintenance, Solid Waste, and Convention Center operations. Parking is available at the convention center located at 4001 Coastal Highway.

Q: What positions does Ocean City hire for at the job fair? Ocean City seeks candidates across diverse roles including lifeguards (Beach Patrol Surf Rescue Technicians requiring physical testing and ocean rescue certification), bus drivers (Transportation department needing commercial driver's licenses), police officers (requiring Maryland Police academy completion), firefighters (needing EMT certification minimum), camp counselors (Recreation and Parks summer positions), and public works staff (maintenance technicians, construction workers, solid waste collectors). Additional positions include convention center event staff, water treatment operators, fire inspectors, and administrative support across all departments. Human Resources Director Katie Callan emphasized the fair provides "access to supervisors seeking talented candidates in every discipline, from public safety to camp counselors, to bus drivers and lifeguards, and everything in between," representing both year-round career positions and seasonal summer employment.

Q: Can I apply for Ocean City jobs online if I can't attend the fair? Yes, Ocean City maintains an online careers portal at governmentjobs.com/careers/oceancitymd where candidates can view current openings, read detailed job descriptions with qualification requirements and salary ranges, and submit applications electronically. The town advertises positions through multiple channels including the website, local and regional newspapers, job-sharing platforms, social media, Department of Labor offices, and bulletin boards at City Hall. However, the job fair offers significant advantages including direct access to hiring managers, immediate feedback on qualifications, networking opportunities, and potential for accelerated consideration. Candidates can complete applications on-site using provided computers, discuss specific positions with supervisors, and make personal impressions that strengthen applications beyond paper credentials. The town encourages monitoring the careers portal regularly as new positions post throughout the year.

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