Ride Operator
Become the Heart of the Thrill at Valleyfair – A Six Flags Park
Imagine your summer soundtrack: roller coasters roaring overhead, guests screaming with joy, and the smell of fresh popcorn drifting through the air. As a Ride Operator at Valleyfair, a Six Flags Park in Shakopee, Minnesota, you won’t just work at an amusement park – you’ll be the person who makes the magic happen, one ride at a time.
Valleyfair is Minnesota’s largest amusement park, home to more than 75 rides and attractions, including legendary coasters like Wild Thing, Renegade, and Steel Venom. Every day, thousands of guests arrive looking for the best day of their summer, and you’ll be right at the center of it all.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Operating rides and attractions safely following Six Flags’ world-class safety procedures
- Welcoming guests, checking restraints, and making sure everyone is securely seated
- Delivering clear, friendly announcements and instructions over the microphone
- Monitoring ride areas, loading and unloading platforms, and guest queues
- Measuring guests for height requirements and explaining ride rules with a smile
- Keeping your ride area clean, tidy, and welcoming throughout the day
- Answering guest questions about the park, show times, and attractions
- Working as part of an international team of students from around the world
Why You’ll Love Shakopee & Minnesota
Shakopee sits just 25 minutes southwest of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, the vibrant Twin Cities famous for live music, street art, food halls, and the enormous Mall of America. Minnesota is the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” so on your days off you can swim, kayak, paddleboard, or simply relax on a beach with your new friends.
Summer in Minnesota means long, warm days, outdoor festivals, farmers markets, and epic sunsets over the Minnesota River. Come autumn, the park transforms for Halloween Haunt and the landscape explodes into red and gold – a view you’ll never forget.
Your Benefits
- $17.00 per hour – a strong, reliable wage with no tipping required
- 40 hours per week guaranteed, with opportunities for overtime during peak season
- Free admission to Valleyfair and discounts across Six Flags & Cedar Fair parks in North America
- Free or discounted employee meals and merchandise discounts
- Employee events, ride nights, and parties just for the team
- Housing assistance and support for international students
- Extended season from summer into fall = more weeks, more money, more memories
- A U.S. reference and real customer service experience for your CV
What We’re Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 on a valid J-1 Work & Travel USA visa
- Conversational to good English – you’ll be speaking with guests all day
- A positive, energetic attitude and a genuine smile
- Reliability and strong attention to safety details
- Ability to stand for long periods and work outdoors in summer weather
- Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, evenings, and rotating shifts
- Availability from summer through fall (early September+ arrivals welcome)
Ready for the Best Summer of Your Life?
No experience needed – full paid training is provided. All you need to bring is enthusiasm. Spots at Valleyfair fill quickly every season, so apply now and get ready to trade lecture halls for roller coasters.
Apply today and start your Work & Travel USA adventure in Minnesota!
About Minnesota
Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, with forests, resorts and the lively Twin Cities. Students work in lake resorts, hotels and restaurants in a fresh, outdoorsy northern summer.
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