Lake Compounce - Seasonal Ride Operator

DNU - Festival Fun Parks, LLC (OLD); Connecticut; On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Cross-train across departments

Free park admission

Invitations to company events

Job summary

Lake Compounce in Connecticut is seeking an energetic Seasonal Ride Operator to supervise ride operations and ensure guest safety across our park’s attractions. You will interact with guests, maintain a fun, professional atmosphere, and help create memories worth repeating for families and friends.

Role responsibilities include morning ride inspections, testing rides before opening, enforcing height and safety rules, and coordinating with team members during busy periods.

Qualifications

• There is no minimum education requirement.
• No previous experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Greet and interact with guests in a fun and professional manner.
• Follow safety regulations and operate rides per policy.
• Conduct morning inspections of assigned ride before operation begins.
• Test rides daily before opening to guests.
• Answer questions related to ride operations and the park.
• Maintain safety restraints and assist with loading.
• Report ride issues to management promptly.
• Ensure guest flow and loading platform safety.
• Operate all levels of rides across Lake Compounce.

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.

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.

Lake Compounce - Seasonal Ride Operator

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Greet and interact with guest in a fun and professional manner
• Must enjoy interacting with guests of all ages
• Follow all Lake Compounce 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
• 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 Lake Compounce

Education & Experience:

There is no minimum education requirement. No previous experience is required.

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 Lake Compounce 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 chain-driven rides and attractions. Frequent exposure to the variable outside temperatures, including high heat, cold, direct sun, humidity, dust, rain, snow, ice, and other weather conditions. Frequent exposure to constant repetitive motion, high noise levels, flashing lights, vibrations, and heavily populated environments.

Team member benefits:

Working at Lake Compounce is about making people happy! It’s about being independent and having fun, making new friends and earning extra money while doing so. As a Lake Compounce employee, you can be the smiling face that makes a great first impression for incoming guests, a cook that serves up tasty treats and culinary delights, a lifeguard who soaks up the sun while keeping guests safe, or a ride operator that keeps guests coming back for more thrills! There are many exciting seasonal job opportunities available to take your summer job to new heights!

Perks & Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Ability to cross-train and learn unique skills across various departments
• Free admission to Lake Compounce and all Palace Entertainment parks on your days off
• Invitations to exclusive company-sponsored employee events throughout the season

If you want a fun, flexible job with an innovative company, look no further than Lake Compounce. We're not just in the attractions business; we’re in the people business- and that starts with our own. Our 20,000+ hosts across North America are the heartbeat of our diverse and growing company. In keeping with our company values, we nurture a balance between work and family, strive to promote 70% from within and support each host’s efforts to develop a fulfilling and rewarding career.