Conductor - Polar Express Character

XANTERRA TRAVEL COLLECTION; Williams (AZ); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Grand Canyon Railway Tickets

Free Employee Run Train Tickets

Property Discounts and More

MEC (Minimal Essential Coverage)

Sick Time

Job summary

The Polar Express Conductor sits at the heart of the Grand Canyon Railway's Polar Express experience in Williams. This seasonal role requires charisma and strong stage presence to guide guests along a magical journey to the North Pole, both on and off the train.

You will punch tickets, perform skits with other characters, and help ensure a memorable, safe ride for families during peak holiday season.

Qualifications

• Must have previous experience speaking to an audience in a guest-facing role.
• Clear, professional communication with guests and co-workers.
• Comfort performing in live settings and maintaining character on stage.

Responsibilities

• Portray the Conductor character in the Polar Express experience.
• Ensure passenger safety and assist with ticket punching and guiding scenes.
• Engage guests in character and lead skits with other cast members.
• Prepare train cars for daily ride per department standards.
• Maintain safety practices and respond to emergencies as needed.
• Adapt to perform with flexibility across schedules, including weekends.

Skills

Public speaking

Communication skills

Stage presence

Job description

Overview

Grand Canyon Railway and Warner Bros Productions Presents

The Polar Express Train Ride

“THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s23)”

Be A Part Of The Magic!

Are you enthusiastic about Christmas, people, and holiday spirit? If so, the Grand Canyon Railway is now hiring for THE POLAR EXPRESS! The Train Ride at Grand Canyon Railway's Historic Williams Depot is a LIVE, interactive event based on the film by Warner Bros, where we bring the movie to life!

About The Job!

The Polar Express Conductor plays a vital role in creating magical memories and delivering an exceptional experience for all passengers aboard the Polar Express Train. As the face of The Polar Express experience, the Conductor guides guests on a magical journey to the North Pole with charm, energy, and theatrical presence on and off the train.

We are casting for the Character role of Conductor, which is a seasonal position beginning from 10/15/2026 to 1/03/2027. The Polar Express Conductor is responsible for creating magical memories and ensuring the quality of our passenger’s experience while on board the Polar Express Train. Duties include but not limited to: ensuring passenger safety, punching souvenir tickets as playing the character of a Polar Express Conductor, and assisting Santa Clause move through the train cars. The Conductor performs a skit with other characters nightly.

The Details:

• Position Type: Seasonal
• Seasonal Dates: 10/15/2026 to 1/03/2027
• Wage: $19.00 an hour + tips!
• Schedule: (2 to 5 day a week minimum)
• Must be available on
  • weekends (Saturday & Sunday)
  • additional days between Monday - Friday.

Employee Benefits & Perks:

• Free Grand Canyon Railway Train Tickets!
• Free Employee Run Train Tickets!
• Property Discounts and More!
• MEC (Minimal Essential Coverage)
• Sick Time

FREE Shuttle Service:

• Limited Capacity: 7 People per ride.
  • Employee Shuttle from Flagstaff to Williams and back after shift!

Responsibilities

• Fully understand and support Xanterra’s Mission Statement, Cultural Pillars, Community Commitment and Core Values.
• Always portray and maintain the Conductor character, by memorizing scripts and cues, remaining in character from clock-in to clock-out, and adhering to approved costume and appearance standards.
• Engage guests while being in Character by punching tickets and leading scenes.
• Prep train cars for daily train ride to department standards.
• Understand safety practices, including maintaining appropriate physical boundaries and responding to guest emergencies.
• Participate in basic vocals and movement as presented in the script.
• Work alongside the cast and staff members to ensure a positive work environment and an exceptional/seamless experience for guests.
• Interact appropriately and patiently with children and adults of all ages, handling children and adults on a one-on-one basis or in large quantities, while maintaining audience control during performance and in designated meet & greet times & locations.
• Assist all cast members, staff, and guests with safety, security, and property questions as necessary.
• Works as a team player and demonstrates good communication skills with guests, co-workers, and train crews.
• Handles stressful situations effectively in a public setting and professionally resolves guest-related problems.
• Maintains schedule flexibility, working scheduled days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Shifts are 6+/- hours per day.
• Supports polar chefs and productions as required.
• Responsible for understanding and adhering to all prescribed Environmental Management Systems (EMS) policies and corporate commitments to maintain ISO 14001 goals and guidelines; reduce, reuse, and recycle program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have previous experience in public speaking.
• Must be able to demonstrate good and professional communication skills in a guest-facing role.
• Must be open to performing in a live audience and maintain good stage presence.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in theatrical role-playing.
• Customer service experience in the hospitality industry.

Basic Competencies:

• Verbal comprehension (understand oral and written communication, follow detailed instructions).
• Communication skills (provide clear instructions/directions).
• Reasoning skills (problem-solving and troubleshooting skills).
• Performance skills (ability to have vocal clarity, warm personality and strong presence).
• Character adaptability (comfortable with improvisation and maintaining characters’ integrity).
• Interpersonal skills (ability to communicate, collaborate and build effective relationships with others through empathy, respect and emotional intelligence).

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:

• Constantly listening, hearing, seeing, speaking, standing, squatting/kneeling and lifting/carrying items up to 20lbs.
• Frequently walking, reaching outward, climbing, lifting/carrying items up to 50lbs and pushing/pulling items up to 25lbs.
• Occasionally pushing/pulling items weighing up to 100lbs.
• Will be required to stand and walk for long periods of time on cement floors and to occasionally walk on uneven surfaces and onboard moving train.

Costume Requirements

A company-provided Conductor uniform, including a three-piece navy-blue suit, Conductor hat, overcoat, and name tag, must be worn at all times while on duty, with the name tag prominently displayed. Employees are responsible for providing a long or short-sleeve white dress shirt, black tie, and solid black footwear. Shoes must be clean, well-maintained, and feature either a defined one-inch heel or a slip-resistant sole. All employee-provided items must be free of visible logos, graphics, or branding and maintained in a professional condition consistent with costume and appearance standards.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.