Family Programs Specialist

Come join Children’s Fairyland as our Family Programs Specialist to support our Events Team in continuing to create an inclusive community oasis where the magic, joy and transformative power of stories and play are unlocked for generations of children and families. Our 72-year-young local institution is seeking an energetic candidate who can work collaboratively to ensure our ambitious strategic plan goals can be achieved!

The Family Programs Specialist plays a critical role in coordinating all aspects of Fairyland's Birthday Parties programs which includes communicating with parents, ordering supplies, and collecting payments. Reporting to the Senior Director of Events, the Family Programs Specialist is responsible for training our Park Ambassadors to act as brthday party hosts and creating lasting relationships with Fairyland families. In addition, this role works closely with the Senior Director to execute on other family events in the park and co-host overnight sleepovers during our summer months. 

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• At least one (1) year of successful experience in an external front-facing, customer service position. Experience in event management and logistics preferred


• Proactive self-starter with a proven record of delivering exceptional customer service


• Extremely strong communication skills including writing ability and verbal communication with people, including in person, over the phone, and via email 


• Excellent organizational and problem solving skills, written and oral presentation skills


• Ability to work on multiple projects at the same time and able to thoroughly follow-through 


• Ability to think and problem solve quickly and effectively


• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in MS Office, Google Workspace Suite and customer registration systems.


• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to connect easily with others and work both as part of a team and independently, a creative thinker, willing to take direction with a collaborative work style


• Comfortable learning new online platforms and processes and able to adapt to new systems quickly


• Be comfortable with all aspects of guest communication (phone, email, and in person)


• Possess a clear background history with no barriers to working with children

In addition to the job specific knowledge, skills, and abilities, please understand that working at Fairyland requires successful candidates have:

• People-orientation- able to interact effectively, politely, and productively with all types of people from all types of backgrounds and experience and in all types of situations. Comfortable working with non-English speaking and culturally diverse stakeholders


• Professional maturity to manage composure during stressful interactions


• Energetic, diplomatic, adaptable and with a good sense of humor.


• Provide fun while having fun!


• Passionate about the mission, vision, and goals of Fairyland and possess an understanding of how this position contributes to the organization’s success.


• Openness to learn, grow and develop skills


• Impeccable integrity and honesty

Physical Requirements

This position is primarily located in an outdoor environment.  Able to perform the following duties with or without accommodation:

• Stand, sit, kneel, walk, bend, and perform repetitive motions for the duration of an eight (8) hour shift


• Traverse safely over uneven terrain throughout the entirety of the 10-acre amusement park 


• Safely lift and transport items of up to 50 lbs. 


• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.


• Respond quickly to sounds


• See and respond quickly to situations


• Communicate in clear, loud voice 


• Operate two-radio for communications with park personnel


• Work in outdoor, seasonal weather conditions for 100% of shift


• Ability to work weekends and occasional evenings.


• Proven track record of punctuality and attendance


• Current COVID-19 Requirements
  
  
  
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    Ability to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination prior to start of employment;

    
    
  
  
  
  

Benefits & Compensation

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position scheduled 32 hours per week Thursday-Sunday, 8:30am-5:00pm. The rate of pay is $22.46 per hour. Full-time employees are eligible to participate in the following benefits:

• Medical: Fairyland pays 100% for employees and 50% for dependent children for our base Kaiser plan with options to buy up to Gold and Platinum plans.


• Dental: 100% premium coverage for employees and 50% for dependent children on SunLife PPO. 


• Vision: 100% premium coverage for employees on VSP. Eligible dependents may be added to the vision plan.


• Paid Time Off (PTO): In the first year, new full-time team members accrue ten (10) PTO days, ten (10) sick days, and six (6) paid holidays including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and three (3) floating holidays!


• Retirement: All eligible team members can participate in the 401k plan upon hire


• Employee membership program: Team members receive their choice of two (2) adult memberships and three (3) named children OR six (6) guest passes annually to enjoy the park with their families and friends.


• Employee discounts: Discounts on merchandise in the park’s gift shop and a 20% discount at our Café.


• Fairyland parking pass: Working at Fairyland means you don’t pay for parking! We provide designated passes for our staff.

How to join Team Fairyland

To apply for a position with Fairyland, please complete the application here. Due to the size of our operations, we are unable to take phone inquiries about positions.

Children's Fairyland fully and actively supports equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Our commitment applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We see candidates with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, community building, and meaningful connection with a broad range of people and institutions.

About Fairyland

Featured in the Wall Street Journal’s travel section on unique places to visit in Oakland and touted by BuzzFeed as “The Most Amazing Place to take Kids” in California, Children’s Fairyland is the first storybook theme park in America! In 1950, a group of visionary Oaklanders partnered with the city’s park superintendent and garnered support from enthusiastic citizens to build the outdoor 10-acre theme park on the shores of Lake Merritt in the heart of Oakland. Visited by Walt Disney as he was conceptualizing Disneyland, Fairyland has inspired many other fairytale-themed parks across the United States. Over 220,000 visitors enjoy Fairyland’s many activities and programs annually, and through our outreach program, free or reduced admission is offered to over 16,000 children and families every year. Fairyland operates 362 of 365 days a year, weather permitting.