Bethany Boathouse

Spend Your Summer on the Delaware Shore

Imagine finishing your shift and walking straight onto a warm sandy beach as the sun sets over the Atlantic. That's everyday life for the Work & Travel USA students who join Bethany Boathouse in Bethany Beach, Delaware — one of the friendliest and most welcoming beach towns on the East Coast.

We're looking for energetic, reliable university students aged 18–25 to join our front-of-house team as Bussers for the summer to fall season. If you like fast-paced teamwork, meeting people from all over the world, and earning tips while you do it, this is your summer.

What You'll Be Doing

• Clearing, cleaning and resetting tables quickly between guests
• Supporting servers and hosts to keep service running smoothly
• Restocking glassware, silverware, napkins and condiments
• Carrying dishes to the kitchen and assisting the dish team during rush hours
• Keeping the dining room, patio and service stations clean, tidy and inviting
• Greeting guests with a smile and helping with water service or small requests
• Following all food safety, hygiene and workplace safety standards

Pay & Hours

• Hourly rate: $6.00 per hour
• Tips: Yes — bussers share in the tip pool, which can significantly increase your total earnings during the busy beach season
• Hours: 40 hours per week, with the possibility of extra shifts during peak weekends and holidays
• Season: Summer through fall

Why Bethany Beach?

Bethany Beach is part of Delaware's famous "Quiet Resorts" — a safe, clean, walkable town with a classic wooden boardwalk, free summer concerts on the bandstand, ice cream shops, arcades and miles of open Atlantic coastline. Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City, Maryland are a short ride away, and Washington D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia are all within easy weekend-trip distance. Delaware is also famous for having no sales tax, so your shopping money goes further.

What We Offer

• Friendly, international team and a supportive management style
• Real US hospitality experience for your CV
• Tip income on top of your hourly wage
• Free or discounted staff meals during shifts
• Daily practice of your English with American guests and coworkers
• A beach location where your days off are actually vacation days

What We're Looking For

• University student aged 18–25 with a valid J-1 Work & Travel visa
• Conversational English and a positive, guest-focused attitude
• Ability to stand, walk and lift trays for long shifts in a busy restaurant
• Team player who stays calm and quick during rush hours
• Availability for evenings, weekends and holidays
• Reliable, punctual and ready to work through the full season

Ready to Apply?

Spots at Bethany Boathouse fill quickly every season. If you want a summer of ocean views, new friendships and money in your pocket, apply now and start your Work & Travel USA adventure in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

Trade Your Textbooks for a Chef's Apron on the Delaware Coast

Imagine finishing your shift and walking straight onto a golden sand beach as the sun sets over the Atlantic. That's daily life at Bethany Boathouse in Bethany Beach, Delaware — a beloved waterfront restaurant where the seafood is fresh, the kitchen buzzes with energy, and every summer brings a new crew of international students who become lifelong friends.

We're hiring Cooks for the Work & Travel USA season, offering $16 per hour and a guaranteed 40 hours per week from summer through fall. If you love food, thrive in a fast-paced team, and want a genuine American work experience with the beach as your backyard, this is your job.

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing and cooking menu items — from fresh seafood and crab cakes to burgers, salads, and coastal favorites
• Working the grill, fryer, and sauté stations during busy summer service
• Prepping ingredients: chopping, portioning, marinating, and organizing your station before service
• Plating dishes to our presentation standards so every guest gets a photo-worthy meal
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary kitchen following U.S. health and food safety rules
• Receiving deliveries, rotating stock, and helping track inventory
• Communicating clearly with servers and fellow cooks to keep tickets moving

Why Bethany Beach?

Bethany Beach is one of Delaware's famous "Quiet Resorts" — a friendly, safe, family-oriented town on the Atlantic Ocean with a charming boardwalk, free summer concerts at the bandstand, and miles of clean beaches. It sits in the heart of the Delaware Shore, just minutes from lively Ocean City, Maryland and Rehoboth Beach, and within easy reach of Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City on your days off.

Summer here means kayaking and paddleboarding on the bay, biking the coastal trails, boardwalk arcades, ice cream at sunset, and beach bonfires with friends from around the world. When fall arrives, the crowds thin out, the ocean is still warm, and the town becomes your own personal seaside retreat.

What You'll Get

• $16.00 per hour — a strong wage for a kitchen position
• 40 guaranteed hours per week, with a long summer-to-fall season for maximum earnings
• Real professional kitchen experience in a U.S. restaurant — a standout line on any CV
• Daily English practice with American colleagues and guests
• A multicultural team and an instant social circle of fellow J-1 students
• Beach lifestyle: work hard, then swim, surf, and explore the East Coast

What We're Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 eligible for the Work & Travel USA (J-1) program
• Conversational English — enough to understand orders, recipes, and safety instructions
• Genuine interest in cooking; previous kitchen, café, or restaurant experience is a big plus (but we will train motivated beginners)
• Ability to stand for long shifts in a warm, fast-moving kitchen and lift up to 20 kg
• Reliability, punctuality, and a positive team attitude
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays — that's when the beach town comes alive
• Availability from summer into fall

Please note: this position does not include tips, but your $16/hour rate and guaranteed 40-hour week give you steady, predictable earnings all season long.

Ready to Cook Up an Unforgettable Summer?

Spots at Bethany Boathouse fill fast — coastal Delaware is one of the most popular Work & Travel destinations in the USA. Apply today and spend your summer earning dollars, mastering an American kitchen, and making memories on the Atlantic shore.

Welcome Guests to Delaware's Favourite Waterfront Spot

Imagine starting your shift with the smell of salt air, boats gliding past the dock and a sunset view that guests travel hours to see. At Bethany Boathouse in Bethany Beach, Delaware, you'll be the first friendly face every visitor meets – the person who sets the tone for their entire evening. If you love talking to people, staying organised and being part of a fast-moving team, this Work & Travel USA position was made for you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Greeting guests warmly as they arrive and thanking them as they leave
• Managing the waitlist and seating chart, and escorting guests to their tables
• Handling reservations, answering the phone and responding to guest questions
• Presenting menus and communicating wait times clearly and politely
• Keeping the entrance, host stand and dining room tidy and welcoming
• Working closely with servers and managers to keep service flowing smoothly
• Assisting with light table resets and supporting the team during busy shifts

Why Bethany Beach?

Bethany Beach is part of Delaware's famous "Quiet Resorts" – a clean, safe, family-friendly beach town on the Atlantic coast. You'll spend your free time on wide sandy beaches, strolling the boardwalk, kayaking in the bay, eating boardwalk fries and watching fireworks and free concerts at the bandstand. Ocean City, Maryland and Rehoboth Beach are just a short ride away, and Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City are all within easy weekend-trip distance. Best of all, Bethany Beach hosts hundreds of international students every summer, so you'll make friends from all over the world.

What You'll Earn

• $15.00 per hour
• 40 hours per week – a stable, full-time schedule
• Summer to Fall season, so you can enjoy both the busy summer buzz and the beautiful golden-autumn coastline
• Real-world hospitality experience at an established American restaurant
• Daily English practice with native speakers – your fluency will grow fast
• A friendly team environment and a strong reference for your CV

Please note: this position does not include tips, but the hourly rate is above the local minimum and your hours are consistent.

What We're Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 eligible for the Work & Travel USA (J-1) programme
• Conversational to good English – you'll be speaking with guests all day
• A warm, outgoing personality and a genuine smile
• Ability to stay calm, polite and organised during busy rushes
• Comfortable standing and walking for the length of a shift
• Reliability, punctuality and a professional appearance
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and holidays – the busiest and most fun times at the beach
• Previous customer service or restaurant experience is a plus, but not required – full training is provided

Ready for Your American Summer?

Spots at popular beach-town employers like Bethany Boathouse fill up quickly. Apply now to secure your place, meet students from around the globe and make this the summer you'll be talking about for years.