On May 20, Mark Zuckerberg-owned Meta announced a new round of global cuts, with approximately 10% of its workforce affected in the first major wave. Simultaneously, the company revealed that around 7,000 employees would be reassigned to new AI-focused initiatives. However, while Zuckerberg is laying off thousands and impacting many families with uncertain futures, he is allegedly hiring for his own massive ranch in Kauai, Hawaii.
The 'Beach Water Person' Role
The position is reportedly that of a 'beach water person,' with duties ranging from providing lifeguard services to assisting Zuckerberg and his guests in ocean sports activities. This unusual job opening was first spotted by WIRED through a listing on Greenhouse linked to West 10, the Zuckerberg family office. According to reports, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are seeking a seasonal, on-call worker for their sprawling Kauai compound.
While the title 'beach water person' sounds vague, the role is essentially centered around water safety. It involves working as both a beach and pool lifeguard, serving as a boat deckhand, and helping guests with stand-up paddleboarding, canoe paddling, snorkeling, and other ocean-based activities. In essence, the position combines the responsibilities of a private lifeguard, surf instructor, and yacht assistant into one potentially high-paying job.
Controversy Amid Layoffs
The listing initially garnered significant online attention but has since reportedly disappeared from the Greenhouse careers page. The hiring coincides with Zuckerberg's growing obsession with ocean sports and luxury sea life. Over the last few years, the Meta CEO has been frequently spotted surfing, hydrofoiling, and wake surfing. In a Bloomberg interview for 'The Circuit w/ Emily Chang,' he even turned part of the conversation into a wake-surfing lesson at his Lake Tahoe home, explaining how balancing on a wake wave differs from traditional surfing.
Zuckerberg's lifestyle now revolves around his expansive Kauai property in Hawaii. The ranch has made headlines over the years due to reports claiming it houses a massive underground bunker, private compounds, and extensive security systems. The estate is believed to span hundreds of acres and reportedly includes luxury guest houses, farming operations, and cattle ranching.
The news of this hiring has sparked widespread criticism, especially as Meta continues to lay off employees in multiple rounds. On May 20, teams in Singapore reportedly received termination emails as early as 4 am local time.
