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Amusement and Recreation Attendants assist customers in using recreational equipment correctly and safely or help in enjoying leisure activities.

JOB DUTIES 

The duties of Amusement and Recreation Attendants vary according to the work location and type of activity operated. Amusement and Recreation Attendants may:

Collect fees

Ensure that the equipment is not misused and that it is maintained in operating order

Plan and schedule the use of recreational facilities

Instruct and advise customers on the correct use of recreational equipment

Loan, rent, or sell sporting equipment

Attract customers to participate in games

Assist patrons on and off amusement rides

Check that riders are properly secured on rides and that safety procedures are being followed

Inspect amusement ride equipment daily and make necessary adjustments and repairs

Operate mechanical riding devices

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Amusement and Recreation Attendants specialize according to the activities they oversee.

341.367-010 RECREATION-FACILITY ATTENDANTS coordinate the use of recreation facilities such as golf courses, tennis courts, and baseball diamonds.

195.367-030 RECREATION AIDES help recreation leaders conduct activities in community centers or recreation facilities. They may set up equipment, welcome visitors, keep records, monitor sporting events and keep scores, and issue and store equipment and supplies.

341.677-010 CADDIES carry golf bags, hand clean golf clubs and balls to the players, and advise on club selection and course peculiarities, as requested by players.

341.665-010 SKI-TOW OPERATORS tend gasoline, diesel, or electric lifts which transport skiers up slopes and mountainsides.

342.657-014 GAME ATTENDANTS operate games at concession booths in parks, carnivals, fairs, or other amusement places. They attract customers to the games by describing them and the possible prizes.

342.677-010 RIDE ATTENDANTS assist patrons in getting on and off mechanical rides and control the number of riders.

342.663-010 RIDE OPERATORS run, or inform customers how to run, riding devices.

340.367-010 BOWLING FLOOR DESK CLERKS assign bowling alleys, collect fees from customers, rent bowling shoes, and coordinate routine maintenance of alleys and equipment.

340.477-010 RACKERS position pool balls upon the table and provide services to customers such as supplying chalk to players, replacing cues in racks, and repairing pool cues.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Amusement and Recreation Attendants generally work alone to provide services without direct supervision. Some attendants, such as Bowling Desk Clerks, work directly for an assistant manager or manager.

Amusement and Recreational Attendants may work indoors or outdoors, in pleasant conditions or in small, poorly maintained facilities. They may work in a variety of weather conditions. Ski-Tow Operators work in cold, snowy conditions. Caddies usually work in warm, sunny weather. Attendants in bowling alleys or pool halls might find great difference in working conditions. Game Attendants may work in tiny booths, stalls and stands. They may live in uncomfortable, mobile living quarters.

Amusement and Recreation Attendants work varied hours from forty hours per week or mainly weekends and nights. They must work when patrons have free time for leisure activities. Some facilities, such as golf courses, operate only during daylight hours. Ride Operators and Attendants and Game Attendants usually travel a great deal, since carnivals and fairs move about.

Amusement and Recreation Attendants work with the public and are expected to be well groomed. Some workers, such as Caddies and Ski-Tow Operators, may have to provide their own footwear and seasonal clothing.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving business contact with others

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

You Should Be Able To:

• Use reason and logic

• Understand words and ideas, and present information effectively

• Be friendly/able to work effectively with people, even unruly or rude

• Repeat activities/tasks of according to a required procedure/sequence

• Plan, control, and direct an entire activity/activities of others

Knowledge of, and skill in, the game in which the Attendants work are definite assets. Ride Attendants and Operators may need to have a license to operate commercial vehicles.

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a certain ride has 40 carts and each cart holds two people, how many people can you allow on the ride?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

You should be able to read and understand manuals that describe maintenance procedures to make sure the rides are safe for passengers.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any accident that may have occurred on your ride on a given day.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide, in an emergency, when to stop a ride before someone is hurt.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

                Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Amusement and Recreation Attendants may gain experience through summer or part-time employment. This is particularly true of Caddies, many of whom work during their school summer vacations. Many communities hire students as seasonal Recreation Attendants at municipal facilities. Participating in sports such as bowling, tennis, or golf provides valuable experience which will aid applicants in being hired and later help them in handling their work duties successfully.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Amusement and Recreation Attendant employer

internships

volunteer work with a Amusement and Recreation Attendant employer

community service work with an agency

To find employment at bowling centers, billiard rooms, carnivals and game concessions, amusement parks, and sports centers, apply directly to the manager. The hiring process may be very informal. Sometimes carnivals and fairs hire workers on the spot. Individuals seeking employment in local communities should complete civil service applications and might have to pass an exam. Assistance in locating jobs may be available from high school or college placement offices and from offices of Michigan Works!. In addition, job openings may be listed in newspaper want ads.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Wages of Amusement and Recreation Attendants may vary depending on the work location, the type and size of the employer, job responsibilities, and the length of employment. Some Amusement and Recreation Attendants are paid combinations of wages, commissions and tips. Others may earn weekly salaries.

Nationally, Amusement and Recreation Attendants had median weekly earnings of $321 in 1998 or, approximately $8.03 an hour, based on a forty hour week. Many inexperienced Amusement and Recreation Attendants had beginning earnings near $5.15 an hour, the minimum wage in 1999. Many worked part-time during the summer. Some experienced workers, such as ski-lift operators, earned $6.50 - $7.50 or more per hour (1999).

In Michigan , the wages of Amusement and Recreation Attendants were similar to the national earnings figure. The majority of these workers have earnings near minimum wage. Those who work in civil service positions generally earn more than do those who work for private amusement facilities or ride operators. Amusement and Recreation Attendants working for some local governments in Michigan in 1999 had the following earnings:

Some full-time Amusement and Recreation Attendants receive vacations and holidays; life, hospitalization and disability insurance; retirement plans; and sick leave. Some may also receive dental, prescription, and/or optical benefits. Those receiving such benefits are generally permanent employees. Most Amusement and Recreation Attendants, however, receive only some of these benefits or none at all.

There is little chance of advancement for Amusement and Recreation Attendants. Those amusement equipment and concession attendants with considerable experience may advance to supervisory work. Some Ride attendants become mechanics. Frequently, these workers find better paying jobs in other fields. A possible career ladder may be: Amusement and Recreation Attendant, supervisor, or assistant manager, manager or owner. Business, retailing, or sales experience may help those Attendants with initiative to start their own small businesses, such as equipment rental or pinball arcades.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were approximately 288,100 Amusement and Recreation Attendants employed in 1996. Employment of Amusement and Recreation Attendants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. With greater amounts of leisure and vacation time available, as well as the increased interest in physical fitness, openings for Amusement and Recreation Attendants should be plentiful. The large turnover rate among these workers will provide many entry-level employment opportunities. About 1.1% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Amusement and Recreation Attendants looked like this:

Approximately 7,375 Amusement and Recreation Attendants were employed in Michigan . Most Amusement and Recreation Attendants were employed in urban areas. All worked in either the government or service industries.

Employment of Amusement and Recreation Attendants in Michigan is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 460 annual openings is expected during this period with 230 openings due to growth and 230 openings created by workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as Amusement and Recreation Attendants transfer to other jobs or occupations.

Because city governments have been downsizing due to economic conditions, they frequently hire Recreation Attendants as seasonal or part-time workers. This may account for some of the growth in the occupation.

Employment of Amusement and Recreation Attendants will increase as the population ages, life spans are lengthened, and people retire earlier. These factors make leisure activities more popular and create a greater need for Amusement and Recreation Attendants. Also, the current concern for physical fitness has led to an increase in new athletic centers, tennis clubs, and resorts. These facilities will provide employment opportunities for these workers.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Amusement & Recreation Attendant can be summarized by the following:

  MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development