Job Description

FAQ

Application

FAQ

  • If I cannot stay until the second day after Labor Day and am willing to forfeit the $2500+ bonus, can I still work there?

    • No!  We rely upon our staff to 'put the club to bed' for winter prior to their departure, which cannot be accomplished in the allotted time by any fewer than the full crew.

  • What do you mean by the term "written work references"?

    • A recommendation, in writing, from a previous employer, which should contain a favorable statement concerning their opinion of your character and qualifications for the job you are seeking.  Whenever possible, avoid academic references and those provided by family-run businesses, as those circumstances are inevitably too 'warm & fuzzy' to serve as an objective assessment of your suitability in the workplace.

  • If I haven't held three jobs, what do I do about the third reference?

    • Contact us, perhaps an appropriate personal reference can be substituted.

  • Can I apply with my friends?

    • Due to club policy, you would essentially be competing with your friends for a position.

  • What if I prefer to live elsewhere on the Island with my friends?

    • That's fine, but your compensation will not change if you do not take advantage of the housing we offer.

  • Do I need a car?

    • No, but a bike is handy.  The club is a five minute walk and a one minute ferry ride from Edgartown and its movie theatres, shops & restaurants.  There is excellent public transportation via shuttle bus to all parts of Martha's Vineyard.

  • What type of lifeguard certification is required?

    • We prefer American Red Cross lifeguard training, together with Red Cross CPR/AED certification; or Royal Life Saving Society equivalent, together with Life Support.  It should be mentioned that we are located on the ocean front.  All applicants need to check their certification cards to make certain that they will remain current throughout the duration of your employment.  

  • What if I am lifeguard certified, but inexperienced?

    • Consider applying for the 'Floater' position, where your application will have priority and you can gain some experience.

  • What qualities do you seek in prospective applicants?

    • We are looking for people who are good role models with a genuine, enthusiastic interest not only in other people, especially children, but also your co-workers, who will be from all over America and around the world.  The pre-season regimen preparing the club for opening is physically demanding; but once we open for the members, we place a premium on interpersonal skills, as well as the ability/interest to be attentive to the needs of our members.  Successful applicants will be open, honest, energetic and imaginative, with an outgoing personality and a good sense of humor.  Priority at all positions will be given to candidates with lifeguarding certification (including First Aid & CPR/AED) and/or responsible alcohol service training, as well as prior work with children.  

  • Why a personal interview?

    • While we feel that it is important to get a good 'snapshot' of  an applicant, it is equally important that the prospective employee get a good 'sense' of the beach club.  Our environment is unique and coming here can be useful in determining if it is the right one for you.  Please see the article at http://www.summerjobs.com/jobseeker/resources/bliss/february2004.html .

  • What about applicants from outside the United States?

    • We welcome applicants from all countries, subject to the conditions listed on our 'Job Description' page.  While our start date for employment is 'negotiable', realistically you must be available for acclimatization, training and club opening preparation no later than June 15th.  Student visas are available through such programs as BUNAC, InterExchange and SWAP.  Overseas candidates can fulfill the interview requirement via Skype and supplementary means.

  • What kind of accommodation do you offer?

    • Staff accommodations consist of single sex, double-occupancy bunkrooms on the beach, with beds, dressers and under bed storage unit/closet.  Across the street is a fully-equipped staff kitchen/commons area, complete with telephone/Internet access and a laundry.  All these are provided at no cost to the students who work here, however you must provide your own food.

  • What about clothing/grooming requirements?

    • CBC policy requires 'casual, but neat' clothing (generally shorts & shirts).  All full-time staff members are provided, free of charge, long- and short-sleeved t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and a wind-proof anorak with our logo on them, which they are expected to wear frequently.  Grooming expectations include neatly trimmed hair and unobtrusive body modification.

  • How much money will I earn?

    • Your pay is rate is $8/hourly, which totals $416/weekly including eight overtime hours.  Add to that any evening function work at the overtime rate of $12.00/hourly.  In addition, you are eligible for a $2,500 bonus upon successful completion of the season, which is  distributed at the year-end holidays.  While it varies depending upon how many weeks you work, amount of member contributions and how many people share the bonus,  the 'average' bonus over the last two years was $4,011(US)/student.  The 'average' gross compensation (combined salary, overtime & bonus) over the last two years was $10,040(US)/student.  These figures do not include tax deductions, which vary for each student depending upon their individual situation.

  • What type of opportunities exist to earn extra money?

    • Two main avenues to extra earning are working evening functions at the club (e.g., private parties, clambakes, club functions, etc.), which are paid at the higher overtime rate; and work outside the club for members (e.g., babysitting, bartending, yard work, etc.), which are paid at whatever rate you negotiate, but generally upward of $15/hourly.

  • When does the job begin?
    • We will negotiate a mutually acceptable start date, which might be any time from late-May to mid-June.  Realistically, all staff must be at the beach club by June 15th for training and club opening preparation. 
  • Why must I be at least 18 years of age to work there?
    •  When under 18, you cannot legally serve alcohol at evening functions, which deprives you of extra pay (at the higher overtime rate) and the club of a potential employee (some functions require all staff to work).  If you are not yet 18, you are probably uncertain about which college you will be attending (due to April response deadline) and will usually have mandatory orientation to attend, which often means that first year students are unable to work through the Wednesday morning after Labor Day.  Then there's the simple fact of a vast maturity gap between a 17-year-old high school student and a 21-23-year-old university student.
  • Why must I have a driver's license to work there?
    • Without a driver's license you are unable to drive our shuttle van at evening functions, which deprives you of extra pay (at the higher overtime rate) and the club of a potential employee (some functions require all staff to work). 
  • Is there any more information available about the beach club jobs?

  • When can I apply?

    • Any time after our website is updated for the upcoming year ('average' compensation figures unavailable until late December)

  • To whom do I submit my application materials?
    • The club's manager, Peter MacRae.  See 'Contact' page for information.
  • How can I tell if the jobs described are open for application, or have already been filled?
    • When each position is filled, we remove it from our website.  Other websites may take longer to remove advertisements.
  • Can I obtain my Social Security number on Martha's Vineyard?
    • Historically, a representative visits the Island on the third Monday of each month and we will provide transportation to meet with them. Please be advised there is a waiting period before numbers are issued by the government and our payroll service requires that number (by law) in order to start your payroll, so you will need sufficient funds to carry you through that period. However, due to recent government cut-backs, we are uncertain about 2013 visits, so you would be well-advised to obtain a social security number via your sponsoring agency if possible.