Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard is hiring an Amusement Ride Technician. Located in Gretna, Nebraska, Vala’s is a fall festival open to the public 55 to 65 days a year and a treasured fall tradition for many families in the surrounding communities. Vala’s is one of the largest pick-your-own pumpkin patches in the world, spanning 400+ acres and including over 50 attractions, like pick-your-own pumpkins and apples, and over 25 specialty food locations. Working at Vala’s during the fall season is a fast-paced, exciting experience that’s also very rewarding – we create happiness!

The ideal candidate will have a passion for providing high quality service to our growing number of guests and employees. They should be self-motivated to look for and create solutions to problems in order to provide the best guest experience we can offer. They will lead by example in engaging a professional and positive culture throughout the company. This candidate will be a resourceful problem solver with experience in a variety of equipment and amusement ride troubleshooting and maintenance.

Responsibilities:

As an Amusement Ride Technician, you will be assigned a variety of maintenance tasks throughout the farm under the direction of the Director of Operations and the Director of Safety and Attractions. You will work primarily on the amusement rides, doing daily checks and repairs to help keep them running throughout the season. As a part of the ride maintenance team, you will be responsible for maintaining equipment for use by inspecting, trouble-shooting, repairing, and testing the rides. You will maintain the high standards of quality and safety throughout the farm with quality control and customer service.

• Perform daily, weekly and annual inspections based on safety protocols and individual ride requirements
• Troubleshoot issues with amusement rides, including, but not limited to, mechanical, pneumatics, hydraulics, lubrication systems
• Ability to work on ride controls systems for understanding and troubleshooting
• Respond to corrective maintenance calls in a timely and professional manner
• Follow Safety Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures
• Document all preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance and projects
• Ability to read and understand ride blueprints
• Ability to read and understand ride manufacturer operation manuals
• Assists in installations of new rides on the property
• Repairs and replaces necessary parts and components on amusement rides
• Maintains designated equipment and tools in good operating condition
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Background in mechanical or electrical experience
• Practical knowledge in one or more of the following disciplines: electrical, pneumatics, fabricating, mechanical, hydraulics, welding, machining, and electronics
• Practical understanding and safe usage of mechanical tools.
• Adaptable and able to learn quickly
• Willingness to be trained on a variety of equipment and rides
• Able to observe all safety precautions for protection against accidents, spills, chemical safety
• Good physical condition, ability to lift 50lbs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of amusement rides and equipment components, diagnostics, and repairs
• Basic computer skills
• Practical understanding and safe usage of electrical diagnosis tools.

Schedule and Benefits

• This is an hourly, full time, year round position
• Hours vary due to the seasonal nature of the business but are based on a 2,500 hour per year schedule. Nights and weekends during the fall season when Vala’s is open to the public are required.
• Health Insurance
• PTO after 90 days
• Amusement Perk
• Simple IRA eligible after 1 year
• Phone reimbursement
• Staff apparel allowance