Kennywood - Ride Operator

0911 Festival Fun Parks, LLC; West Mifflin (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennywood is seeking a Ride Operator to support multiple rides across the park. This role emphasizes guest interaction, safety-focused operation, and adherence to park and manufacturer safety regulations.

Training includes the International Ride Operator Certification (iROC). Fluency in English is required; Spanish or other bilingual skills are a plus. Must be at least 16 and able to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• No minimum education requirement.
• Successful completion of the iROC course during training.
• Fluent English; Spanish or other bilingual ability is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Greet and interact with guests in a fun, professional manner.
• Supervise, monitor, and operate park rides with safety in mind.
• Inspect rides, test operations, and ensure proper safety restraints.
• Enforce height, weight, or age requirements and wristband checks.
• Communicate instructions clearly using microphones or devices.
• Report ride issues promptly to management and maintenance.
• Maintain guest flow and assist guests on loading platforms.
• Open and close rides per procedures and safety rules.

Skills

Guest interaction

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Communication

Education

iROC certification

Job description

Our story began 75 years ago when the Herschend family discovered wonder deep in an Ozark Mountain cave-and chose to share it with the world. Today, Herschend is the largest family-held themed attractions company, with over 40 leading attractions and immersive experiences that reach audiences worldwide.

While each brand offers something unique, all are united by a shared purpose: Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating® . Our passionate hosts make this purpose possible through everyday acts of love and service-what we call Heartspitality®-the intersection of heart and hospitality.

As an equal-opportunity employer, we strive to provide environments where every host, guest, and partner feel welcome, valued, and loved. We firmly believe that words and actions matter, which is why all individuals are to be treated equally and with respect.

Kennywood is a National Historic Landmark with over 125 years of experience in fun! Kennywood has an unmatched mix of more than 40 modern attractions and one-of-a-kind classic rides, including eight roller coasters, a Kiddieland with pint-sized thrills for the little ones, and more. Kennywood's rich history spans generations of good times and extends beyond the traditional summer season with popular Halloween and Holiday events.

We are currently looking for a:

Kennywood - Ride Operator

Roles & Responsibilities

The ride of your life begins here! The outgoing and safety-oriented Rides Operator will operate and assist with rides located throughout the park. This position involves a lot of guest interaction and a customer service-oriented mindset to provide a wonderful experience to everyone who comes to enjoy a day at the park.

Ride Operators are responsible for supervising, monitoring, and attending to park rides, including boarding, securing passengers, operating the ride, and ensuring passengers exit safely.

• Greet and interact with guest in a fun and professional manner
• Must enjoy interacting with guests of all ages
• Follow all Kennywood and manufacturer established safety regulations
• Operates assigned ride or attraction in accordance with company policy and procedure, state and federal regulations and safety protocols.
• Conduct morning inspections of assigned ride before daily operation begins
• Tests rides daily before opening to guests
• Answer questions related to ride operations and the park
• Maintain an environment that ensures the safety of all employees and guests
• Responsible for performing and enforcing accurate height, weight, or age requirements for all rides and attractions
• Determine if each guest entering a ride is wearing the proper wristband
• Maintains flow of guests and while also limiting the number of guests on the loading platform
• Gives directions and delivers instructions using a microphone or other communication devices
• Properly check all safety restraints to ensure they are in the correct and locking position before ride cycle begins
• Maintains constant vigilance while ride is operating and ensures that all riders all following appropriate safety measures
• Must be alert and have quick reaction time to stop a ride properly in case of an emergency
• Performs opening and closing procedures for assigned rides
• Reports ride related issues and mechanical failures to management and maintenance promptly
• Protects guest belongings turns in lost and found items as soon as time allows
• Ability to operate all levels of rides throughout Kennywood

Education & Experience

There is no minimum education requirement.

No previous experience is required.

All Rides Team Members must go through the International Ride Operator Certification (iROC) course as a part of the training. Successful course completion is required for this position. There is no cost to the team member for the course.

Languages

Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English Spanish or other bilingual language skills are a plus.

Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years of age to comply with Pennsylvania Child Labor Laws
• Ability to work flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to comply with all uniform policies
• Must possess safety-oriented mindset and understand the importance of complying with all Federal, State, and local regulations regarding ride operation
• Must demonstrate a willingness to learn and ability to follow instructions
• Must be guest-focused and also work well with other team members and supervisors

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, twist, kneel, bend, or squat for long periods of time
• Ability to reach above shoulders throughout the workday
• Ability to remain on feet for majority of the workday
• Ability to climb or descend stairs for some coasters, rides, and attractions
• Ability to carry, push, pull, lift, and hold objects weighing 30 pounds or more
• Ability to see details of objects that are more than a few feet away

Working Conditions

Frequent interaction a variety of motorized and chai