It appears this article is either blatantly pimping for the kid's bill to get paid, or is just horribly written (sound familiar?).
At no place does it say he was WORKING as a lifeguard, only that he is one elsewhere. Therefore, he was not in official capacity, only as a good sam.
Also, it does not say if the 12 yo was also charged.
A pox on crappy journalists.
Even I thought he was an ocean lifeguard, but it appears that wasn't true. He was a lifeguard at the pool.