Pictured Rocks
Job offers
Cook
Cook Wanted: Summer to Fall on the Shores of Lake Superior
Imagine finishing your shift and walking five minutes to a beach on Lake Superior, watching the sun sink behind sandstone cliffs while your friends from around the world share stories from the day. That's a regular evening in Grand Marais, Michigan – and it can be your summer.
Pictured Rocks is looking for energetic, reliable Work & Travel students to join the kitchen team as Cooks. Whether you're already comfortable behind a stove or simply eager to learn fast, this is a hands-on role where you'll build real culinary skills, real English fluency, and real friendships.
What You'll Be Doing
- Preparing and cooking menu items to order – grill, fryer, sauté and prep stations
- Getting ingredients ready: chopping, portioning, marinating and stocking your station before service
- Following recipes, portion standards and presentation guidelines so every plate looks great
- Keeping food safety and hygiene standards high (HACCP-style practices, temperature logs, labeling)
- Cleaning as you go – equipment, surfaces, dishes and the walk-in cooler
- Communicating with servers and teammates during busy summer rushes
- Receiving deliveries and helping with inventory rotation (FIFO)
Why Grand Marais, Michigan?
Grand Marais is a small, welcoming harbor village on Michigan's Upper Peninsula – the gateway to the world-famous Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Think turquoise water, 60-metre cliffs painted in mineral streaks, waterfalls, sand dunes and some of the darkest night skies in the United States (yes, people see the Northern Lights here).
On your days off you can kayak beneath the cliffs, hike sections of the North Country Trail, hunt for Lake Superior agates on the beach, swim at Sable Falls, or take a boat cruise past Chapel Rock. As summer turns to fall, the forests explode into red and gold – one of the most beautiful autumns in America.
The Details
- Position: Cook
- Employer: Pictured Rocks
- Location: E Coast Guard, Grand Marais, Michigan
- Pay: $17.50 per hour
- Hours: 40 hours per week (overtime possible during peak weeks)
- Season: Summer through Fall
- Tips: Not included in this position – your strong hourly rate is guaranteed
What You Get Out of It
- A competitive $17.50/hour wage – excellent for a small-town cost of living
- Guaranteed 40-hour weeks, so you can plan your budget and your travels
- Genuine kitchen experience you can put on your CV anywhere in the world
- Daily English practice with American colleagues and guests
- A tight-knit team environment in one of the most scenic corners of the USA
- Time and money to travel after the season – Chicago, Detroit, Toronto and the Great Lakes are all within reach
What We're Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 eligible for the J-1 Work & Travel USA program
- Conversational English – enough to understand tickets and communicate with the team
- Previous kitchen, restaurant or food-prep experience is a plus, but a great attitude matters more
- Ability to stand for long shifts and work in a fast, hot environment
- Reliability, punctuality and a team-first mindset
- Willingness to stay through the full season, including the fall period
- Comfortable living in a small, remote village – this is nature, not nightlife
Ready to trade lecture halls for Lake Superior? Places on this program fill quickly – apply today and start planning the summer you'll be talking about for years.
Housekeeper
Work & Travel USA: Housekeeper at Pictured Rocks, Grand Marais, Michigan
Imagine waking up to the sound of waves on Lake Superior, spending your workday with a friendly international team, and finishing your shift with a hike to a waterfall or a sunset swim on a sandy beach. That's exactly what a summer with Pictured Rocks in Grand Marais, Michigan looks like. If you're a university student aged 18–25 looking for a genuine American adventure in one of the most beautiful corners of the country, this is your program.
About the Position
As a Housekeeper, you'll be a key part of the guest experience at a busy lodging property serving visitors to the world-famous Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This is a hands-on, active role where your attention to detail directly shapes the memories of travelers from around the world.
Your Daily Duties
- Cleaning and preparing guest rooms, bathrooms, and common areas to a high standard
- Changing bed linens, making beds, and refreshing towels and amenities
- Vacuuming, dusting, mopping, and sanitizing surfaces
- Restocking housekeeping carts and supplies
- Handling laundry: washing, drying, folding, and organizing linens
- Reporting maintenance issues and lost-and-found items to supervisors
- Greeting guests politely and answering simple questions in English
Pay & Working Conditions
- Hourly rate: $17.50 per hour
- Hours: 40 hours per week (overtime may be available during peak weeks)
- Season: Summer through Fall — one of the longest and most rewarding placements available
- Tips: Not part of this position; your strong hourly wage is guaranteed
- Business type: Housekeeping / hospitality
- Location: E Coast Guard, Grand Marais, Michigan
Why Grand Marais, Michigan?
Grand Marais is a charming lakeside village on Michigan's Upper Peninsula — the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, famous for its towering multicoloured sandstone cliffs, sea caves, and turquoise water. In your free time you can:
- Kayak beneath the legendary Pictured Rocks cliffs
- Chase waterfalls like Sable Falls and Munising Falls
- Climb the Grand Sable Dunes for panoramic Lake Superior views
- Swim, paddleboard, and sunbathe on Agate Beach
- Stargaze under some of the darkest skies in the Midwest — and catch the northern lights in autumn
- Experience a spectacular Michigan fall, when the forests turn gold and crimson
What You Gain
- Competitive earnings with a full 40-hour schedule to build up real savings
- Everyday English practice in a real American workplace
- Friendships with participants from dozens of countries
- Valuable international hospitality experience for your CV
- Time to travel the USA after your work period ends
Requirements
- Full-time university student, aged 18–25, eligible for the Work & Travel USA program
- Conversational English (enough to understand instructions and greet guests)
- Reliable, punctual, and detail-oriented
- Comfortable with physical work: standing, bending, lifting, and walking during your shift
- Positive, team-first attitude and a willingness to learn
- Availability from summer into fall
No previous experience required — full training is provided. If you're motivated, friendly, and ready for an unforgettable season on the shores of Lake Superior, apply now for the Housekeeper position with Pictured Rocks. Spots for scenic Michigan locations fill up fast!
Resort Worker
Your Great Lakes Adventure Starts Here
Imagine waking up to the sound of Lake Superior waves, working with an international team, and finishing your shift with a sunset walk along one of America's most spectacular shorelines. That's daily life as a Resort Worker at Pictured Rocks in Grand Marais, Michigan – a hidden gem of the Upper Peninsula and one of the most scenic Work & Travel USA destinations available.
About the Position
As a Resort Worker, you'll be a key part of a small, tight-knit team that keeps the resort running smoothly for guests visiting the famous Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. No two days are identical, and you'll gain real hospitality experience that looks great on any CV.
- Greeting guests and providing warm, friendly customer service at the front desk
- Preparing and serving food and beverages; assisting in the kitchen and dining area
- Housekeeping duties: cleaning and preparing guest rooms and cabins
- Maintaining common areas, the lobby, and outdoor spaces
- Handling laundry, restocking supplies, and light maintenance support
- Helping guests with local information, activities, and recommendations
Location Highlights: Grand Marais, Michigan
Grand Marais is a charming harbour village on the shores of Lake Superior, sitting right at the eastern edge of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – famous for its multicoloured sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, sea caves and endless sandy beaches. In your free time you can:
- Kayak beneath the towering coloured cliffs of Pictured Rocks
- Climb the Grand Sable Dunes and swim in crystal-clear Lake Superior
- Hike to Sable Falls, Miners Castle and dozens of hidden waterfalls
- Hunt for agates on the beach and catch legendary Northern Lights displays
- Enjoy campfires, stargazing and true American small-town summer vibes
What You'll Earn
- $12.50 per hour – solid pay for the Upper Peninsula
- Tips included – boost your income during the busy tourist season
- 40 hours per week guaranteed, with possible extra hours in peak season
- Employment period: Summer through Fall – stay for the beautiful autumn colours!
- Friendly team, international coworkers and genuine American hospitality experience
Who We're Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 enrolled in the Work & Travel USA program
- Conversational English and confidence speaking with guests
- Positive attitude, reliability and willingness to learn new tasks
- Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays
- Team spirit – small resorts mean everyone helps everyone
- Previous hospitality experience is a plus, but not required
Why Choose Pictured Rocks?
This is not a big city job – it's an authentic American experience in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the United States. You'll build lifelong friendships, improve your English every single day, save money thanks to low local living costs, and collect memories (and photos) that will last forever.
Spots are limited – apply now and spend your summer where the cliffs meet the greatest of the Great Lakes!
About Michigan
Michigan's Great Lakes shores, Mackinac Island and resort towns make for a classic lakeside summer. Students work in island hotels, resorts and restaurants surrounded by beaches and forests.