Village Performer – Santa’s Elf

Description

Santa’s Elf is a seasonal Village Performer within the Creative & Performing Arts department. The Santa’s Elf performer creates immersive guest experiences by spreading holiday cheer, providing energetic and friendly guest service, and bringing the magic of the NorthWoods to life while maintaining an established elf character.

Santa’s Elves assist with Santa visits, guest lines, reservations, photography, and general guest questions throughout the park. The role requires knowledge of the park, entertainment schedule, park map, current activities, and Stories of the NorthWoods.

Santa’s Elves may also assist with the Tree Lighting Ceremony, perform as a mascot or mascort, or assist with other NorthWoods characters based on department needs, training, and qualifications.

This is a seasonal position requiring availability to work weekends, holidays, and peak-season dates during the holiday season.

Responsibilities

• Follow wardrobe protocols and properly care for assigned costumes, mascots, and accessories.
• Review the daily entertainment schedule and arrive prepared for assigned duties.
• Provide cheerful, professional, and engaging guest service to children, families, and other guests.
• Assist with Santa visits, including guest flow, line management, timing, breaks, and overall guest coordination.
• Take reservations and efficiently operate applicable reservation and photo systems.
• Maintain knowledge of the park map, entertainment schedule, current activities, and Stories of the NorthWoods.
• Assist with the Tree Lighting Ceremony and other special events as assigned.
• Use expressive body language, movement, and non-verbal storytelling when performing in mascot characters.
• Follow Santa’s Elf Protocols, Mascort and Mascot Protocols, Show Quality Standards, and other Creative & Performing Arts policies.
• Work effectively with other performers and maintain appropriate timing and coordination.
• May perform as a mascort, mascot, or assist with mascot performances when assigned and properly trained.
• May assist with special events, ceremonies, and other entertainment activities.
• Attend all required training, rehearsals, and meetings.
• Report safety concerns, guest concerns, costume or equipment issues, or other problems to management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Character & Professional Conduct

• Maintain the established elf character while performing and interacting with guests in designated guest-facing areas.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with guests, particularly children.
• Follow SkyPark guidelines regarding guest interaction, physical contact, photography, and character interactions.
• Provide patient, helpful, and appropriate assistance to children and families, including during busy or high-volume periods.
• Do not make inappropriate, offensive, or unapproved comments, gestures, or behavior while representing a character or SkyPark.
• Break character when necessary for safety, emergencies, or as directed by management.
• Notify management of unsafe, inappropriate, or difficult guest interactions.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Safely wear assigned character costumes, mascots, and accessories, which may affect visibility, hearing, ventilation, or movement.
• Be able to perform safely in large or close-fitting costumes.
• Stand, walk, dance, bend, and perform repetitive movements for extended periods.
• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and temperatures.
• Work in crowded, noisy, and highly interactive guest environments.
• May perform in costumes for extended shifts of approximately 5–9 hours with required meal and rest breaks.
• May be required to handle props and other entertainment equipment.

Qualifications

• Strong guest service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work comfortably and appropriately with children and families.
• Cheerful, energetic, flexible, and engaging personality with the ability to perform for guests of all ages.
• Ability to learn and efficiently operate applicable reservation and photo systems.
• Ability to learn and accurately communicate park information, directions, schedules, activities, and guest procedures.
• Ability to use movement, body language, and elf character expression to communicate effectively.
• Ability to learn and consistently perform character routines, scripts, storylines, and performance standards.
• Ability to follow direction, protocols, and safety procedures.
• Strong teamwork, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Previous acting, dance, entertainment, mascot, or similar performance experience is a plus.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to work assigned weekends, holidays, and peak-season dates as required.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Duties may be modified based on operational needs.