When you fill out a Knott’s Berry Farm application, you’ll be trying to join a family that is ten thousand strong, made up of both seasonal and full time employees. Knott’s Berry Farm has been a Southern California staple for well over fifty years.
The park was built on a former berry farm, owned by the Knott family. During the 1920s, the Knott family sold various berry products from a roadside stand but in 1934, Mrs. Knott began to sell fried chicken dinners, which quickly pulled tourists in. In 1940, Mr. Knott started building Ghost Town, the start of Knott’s Berry Farm. A summer-long county fair was started in the 1950s, encouraging the idea of a theme park. In 1968, admission was charged for the first time to get into Knott’s Berry Farm.
Throughout the 1970s, the park exploded with growth, adding several new rides. However, Mr. Knott died in 1981, leaving Knott’s Berry Farm to his children. In 1997, the children sold the park to the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, who has turned their attention to a more thrill-ride based experience. However, the company has worked to preserve many of the rides, often doing long refurbishments on old, original rides.
If you apply for Knott’s Berry Farm jobs, you will see over three and a half million visitors a year. If you have a walking job, you’ll stay in shape easily, as the park covers one hundred and sixty acres. With forty rides, Knott’s Berry Farm is still growing, with another ride expected to open in May 2015.
Knott’s Berry Farm Careers
Knott’s Berry Farm is run by the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, which is based out of Sandusky, Ohio. However, Cedar Fair has very little to do with the day-to-day running of the amusement park. If you apply for jobs at Knott’s Berry Farm, you will probably work directly with the park and not the overhead corporation, especially if it’s seasonal work.
How old do you have to be to work at Knott’s Berry Farm? Age requirements vary by job; for some you must be over sixteen, for others, eighteen or twenty-one. There are several other requirements that you need to have before you fill out a Knott’s Berry Farm application, including certain certifications, degrees, or experiences.
There are many benefits to having Knott’s Berry Farm careers. One of the biggest is opportunities for advancement as the company likes to keep workers who know Knott’s Berry Farm well for as long as they can. Other benefits include a flexible schedule, employee discounts, and more unlisted benefits.
The park is open year-round, excluding Christmas Day, and park hours vary. The park is always open by ten am, every day. Closing hours are different by season, running anywhere from five pm to one am. April through May, the park is usually closed by six pm on the weekdays, but hours expand as summer draws closer. Throughout July and August, the park is open until ten pm.
Knott’s Berry Farm Job Descriptions
Ride Operator – Safety is key in this job, as you will be assisting guests in making sure that restraints are done properly in order to keep them in their seats, explaining ride limitations, greeting guests, and seating the guests. Cleaning your ride is also a part of this job to give a positive look for the park. Compensation is around minimum wage.
Retail Clerk – You will help guests through item selection, checking them out, accepting payment, and wrapping their purchases. Having a positive and helpful attitude is a major part of this job as you make sure that all the customers are happy with their selections. Compensation is around minimum wage.
Lifeguard – Having a Lifeguard Certification is mandatory for this position. You will work in Soak City, and make sure that everything works smoothly while keeping an eye on your area of the park. You will also work closely with guests to answer any questions or concerns that they may have. Compensation is around minimum wage.
Park Attendant – Being outgoing and friendly is good for this job, as you will be interacting directly with guests to make sure that they have a great time at the park. You will answer any questions that they have, start interactions with them, and helping with overall park cleanliness. Compensation is around minimum wage.
Knott’s Berry Farm Interview Questions
Here are some questions you may be asked during the interview process:
Why do you want to work at Knott’s Berry Farm? This is an extremely common interview question, so make sure that you’re prepared for it. Explain what drew you to the company, whether it was the company culture or benefits.
What experience do you have? Be honest about experience that you have. For some jobs, you don’t need much experience, so talk about what you can bring to the job instead. If you do have experience though, highlight it.
Where do you see yourself in a few years? Your interviewer is looking to see if you’re planning to stay with the company. Be realistic in your career expectations and goals. Make it clear that you’re willing to take on extra challenges and responsibilities in order to move up in the company.
If you have any gaps in your employment history, you will be asked: Can you explain the gaps in your employment history? Be honest, but don’t go far enough that you scare off the interviewer. State it simply, and if they ask for clarification, give it.
How would you deal with an angry customer? This will probably be posed to you in the form of a hypothetical situation. Make sure to be clear and practical in how you would take care of them. Explain exactly what you would do and why.
Advice for Application Process
How to apply for Knott’s Berry Farm online: you don’t. You may look at Knott’s Berry Farm jobs online, but applying to them is not possible. A printable application for Knott’s Berry Farm is at the bottom of the page, return it to the Knott’s Berry Farm Employment Center, the address is on their website.
Before going to your interview, make sure to research the company and bring a list of questions with you to. Some of them will probably be answered during the course of your interview, but it will show that you’re proactive and want to work for the company.
Arrive early for your interview, it will give you time to relax, and make sure you have a pen, you may be asked to fill out paperwork. Dress professionally for your interview. Make sure you sit up straight, give firm handshakes, and plenty of eye contact, it will give a good impression.
Thank your interviewer afterwards. Be positive and respectful the entire time that you’re at your interview, all staff members at the office will be evaluating your behavior. After your interview, inquire about the best way to check on your hiring status; some but not all, will get a job during the interview as the company will want to screen all applicants.
Also See:
Thunder Valley Casino Resort: Thunder Valley Casino Resort offers opportunities for both, beginners and experienced roles.
Foxwoods Resort Casino: Visit the Foxwoods Resort Casino application.
Legoland: See our guide for careers at Legoland.
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino: See our resource page for more information on Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino careers.
Cedar Fair: Cedar Fair offers opportunities for both, beginners and experienced roles.