Sign Painter (Pictorial Artist)

Knott's Berry Farm; Buena Park (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Knott's Berry Farm seeks a Pictorial Artist to create and maintain hand-painted scenic art, murals, signage, and decorations across themed areas. You will apply hand lettering, faux finishes, and scenic backdrops to match the park's design vision.

Close collaboration with Decor, Facilities, and Creative teams ensures consistent storytelling and high visual quality. The role requires 3–5 years in scenic painting or related decorative arts, strong lettering skills, color-matching ability, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Vocational/technical training in Fine Art preferred.
• Graphic Design/Fine Arts/Scenic Painting certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Paint and maintain scenic backdrops, facades, and environments using lifts.
• Hand-letter and paint signage throughout the park.
• Apply faux finishes and decorative painting techniques (wood grain, stone, aging/distressing).
• Perform touch-up and restoration painting to maintain quality.
• Collaborate with Decor, Facilities, and Creative teams to ensure thematic consistency.
• Prepare surfaces by sanding, priming, and cleaning prior to painting.
• Mix and color-match paint to established palettes for consistency.
• Maintain tools and inventory of paints and materials.

Skills

Hand lettering

Freehand painting

Color matching

Blueprint reading

Team collaboration

Detail oriented

Education

High school diploma

Technical training in Fine Arts

Graphic design certs

Tools

Reach lifts

Scissor lifts

Paint tools

Job description

Overview:

The Pictorial Artist creates and maintains hand-painted scenic art, murals, signage, and decorative finishes throughout the park's themed areas. This role applies specialized painting techniques including hand lettering, faux finishing, and scenic backdrops to bring themed environments to life. The Pictorial Artist works closely with Decor, Facilities, and Creative teams to ensure all painted elements reflect the intended theme, story, and visual quality guests expect.

Salary Details:

Salary Details: $25.21 / hr - $37.74 / hr

Responsibilities:

• Paint and maintain scenic backdrops, facades, and themed environments to match approved design and color standards, using carts, reach lifts, and scissor lifts as needed to access work areas.
• Hand-letter and paint signage throughout the park, including directional, menu, and decorative signage.
• Apply faux finishes and decorative painting techniques (wood grain, stone, aging/distressing) to props and structures.
• Perform touch-up and restoration painting on existing attractions, facades, and props to maintain visual quality.
• Collaborate with Decor, Facilities, and Creative teams to interpret design concepts and ensure thematic consistency.
• Prepare surfaces (sanding, priming, cleaning) prior to painting to ensure durability and finish quality.
• Mix and color-match paint to established palettes for consistency across the park.
• Maintain painting tools, equipment, and supplies, including inventory of paints and materials.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma / GED.
• Vocational / technical training, emphasis in Fine Art, Illustration, Scenic Painting preferred.
• Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or Scenic Painting certifications required.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in scenic painting, sign painting, mural work, or a related decorative arts field.
• Strong hand-lettering and freehand painting skills.
• Ability to gun shade and blend colors for realistic, dimensional finishes.
• Proficiency in color-matching and mixing to established palettes.
• Knowledge of faux finishing techniques (wood grain, stone, aging/distressing).
• Ability to read and interpret design concepts, blueprints, or reference art provided by the Creative team.
• Comfortable operating or being trained to operate reach lifts and scissor lifts.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain consistent quality across large-scale and small-scale work.