Lifeguard - Beach
Guard the Shore, Live the Summer – Beach Lifeguard in Bethany Beach, Delaware
Imagine starting every workday with sand under your feet, the sound of Atlantic waves in the background, and the sunrise over the ocean as your office view. As a Beach Lifeguard at Sea Colony Resort in Bethany Beach, Delaware, you’ll do exactly that – all while earning $21 per hour for 40 hours per week during a summer-to-fall season on one of the East Coast’s most beloved beaches.
This is one of the most respected and best-paid Work & Travel USA positions available. You’ll gain real responsibility, professional rescue training, and a certification that looks fantastic on any CV – plus a summer full of beach days, new friendships and memories from across the world.
Your Responsibilities
- Monitor swimmers and beachgoers from your lifeguard stand, maintaining constant surveillance of your assigned zone
- Perform water rescues, first aid and CPR when needed, following resort emergency protocols
- Educate guests about surf conditions, rip currents, swimming zones and beach safety rules
- Set up and take down lifeguard equipment, flags, rescue boards and stands each day
- Communicate clearly with your fellow guards, supervisors and local emergency services
- Keep the beach area safe, clean and welcoming for families and visitors of all ages
- Complete incident reports and participate in regular training drills and fitness sessions
Why Bethany Beach, Delaware?
Bethany Beach is known as one of the "Quiet Resorts" – a charming, safe and family-friendly coastal town with a classic wooden boardwalk, ice cream shops, mini-golf, live music at the bandstand and miles of clean white sand. It’s the perfect balance: relaxed enough to feel like home, lively enough to never be boring.
You’ll also be perfectly placed for weekend adventures. Ocean City, Maryland and Rehoboth Beach are just a short ride away, while Washington D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia are all within a few hours – ideal for exploring the American East Coast between shifts.
What You’ll Get
- $21 per hour – one of the highest rates in the Work & Travel USA program
- 40 guaranteed hours per week, with a long summer-to-fall season for maximum earnings
- Paid, professional lifeguard, CPR and first-aid training and certification
- An outdoor, active job – stay fit and tanned instead of stuck indoors
- A large international team of students – instant friends from around the globe
- Genuine leadership and emergency-response experience for your résumé
- Employer support with orientation and community of returning participants
What We’re Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 enrolled in the Work & Travel USA program
- Strong swimming ability – you must pass a swim test (typically 500m swim, timed sprint and treading water)
- Confident, upper-intermediate English for clear communication in emergencies
- Responsible, alert and calm under pressure – lives depend on your attention
- Comfortable working outdoors in sun and heat, and physically fit
- Team player with a positive, guest-friendly attitude
- Prior lifeguard experience is a plus, but full training is provided
Ready to Become an American Beach Lifeguard?
Positions with Sea Colony Resort fill quickly every season – strong swimmers are always in high demand. Apply early, secure your spot, and trade lecture halls for the Atlantic Ocean this summer.
About Delaware
Delaware's tax-free beach towns - Rehoboth and Bethany Beach - are a Work & Travel classic. Students fill jobs in boardwalk shops, restaurants and beach resorts along a relaxed Atlantic shore.
