Holiday World and Splashin Safari
Job offers
Food and Beverage Team Member
Work Where Every Day Feels Like a Holiday
Imagine spending your summer in a town literally called Santa Claus, Indiana, working at one of America's most beloved family theme parks. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari is famous for its world-record wooden roller coasters, free unlimited soft drinks, and an atmosphere so friendly it's been voted the world's friendliest park again and again. As a Food and Beverage Team Member, you'll be right at the heart of the action – and right at the heart of the guest experience.
Your Role: Food & Beverage Team Member
You'll be part of a big, energetic international team keeping hungry park guests happy from morning until closing. No two days look the same, and you'll learn skills that look great on any CV.
- Greet guests with a smile and take food and drink orders at counters, kiosks, or dining outlets
- Prepare and serve popular American park favourites – pizza, burgers, fries, ice cream, pretzels and more
- Operate the cash register and handle card payments accurately
- Restock beverage stations, condiments, and supplies throughout your shift
- Keep work areas, dining spaces, and equipment clean and up to strict food-safety standards
- Work as a team with colleagues from all over the world to keep service quick and friendly
The Details
- Position: Food and Beverage Team Member
- Employer: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
- Location: Santa Claus, Indiana, USA
- Pay: $13.00 per hour
- Hours: approximately 40 hours per week
- Season: Summer through Fall
- Tips: Not applicable for this position
Why Santa Claus, Indiana?
Yes, the town's name is real – and so is the charm. Santa Claus is a small, safe, welcoming community in southern Indiana surrounded by lakes, forests, and rolling countryside. It's a classic slice of small-town America where locals know your name and everyone loves the park. On your days off you can float down the Ohio River, explore Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, hit the trails, or take weekend trips to Louisville, Nashville, Indianapolis, or St. Louis – all within driving distance. And of course, you'll have the park itself: two world-class attractions in one, a theme park and a water park, with coasters that thrill riders come from across the globe to experience.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive $13/hour with a reliable 40-hour schedule and overtime opportunities in peak season
- Free or discounted park admission – ride the coasters and cool off in Splashin' Safari
- Employee discounts on food and merchandise
- Free uniform and on-the-job training – no prior experience needed
- Employee events, team activities, and end-of-season celebrations
- A truly international team – make friends from a dozen countries in one summer
- Real hospitality and customer-service experience for your CV, plus rapid English improvement
What We're Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 with a valid J-1 Work & Travel visa
- Conversational English and confidence speaking with guests
- A friendly, positive attitude and genuine team spirit
- Reliability and punctuality – guests are counting on you
- Ability to stand for extended periods and work in a fast-paced, warm environment
- Availability including weekends, evenings, and US holidays
- Flexibility to stay through the Fall season is a big plus
Ready for the Summer You'll Talk About Forever?
Positions at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari fill quickly every season – this is one of the most popular Work & Travel USA placements in the Midwest. Apply today and spend your summer earning dollars, making global friends, and working in the friendliest park in the world.
Lifeguard
Work & Travel USA: Lifeguard at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
Imagine spending your summer in a town literally called Santa Claus, Indiana – home to one of the most beloved theme parks in the United States. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari is an award-winning family park famous for its world-class wooden roller coasters, free soft drinks, free sunscreen, and a water park voted America's #1 Water Park year after year. And this summer, you could be part of the team that keeps the fun safe.
As a Lifeguard, you'll be the hero of the park – watching over guests as they race down water slides, float along the lazy river, and splash in wave pools. This is an active, outdoor, high-energy role perfect for university students who love water, sunshine, and being part of a big international team.
What You'll Be Doing
- Scanning and supervising assigned pools, slides, and water attractions to keep guests safe
- Enforcing park safety rules in a friendly, professional way
- Responding to emergencies and performing rescues, first aid, and CPR when needed
- Assisting guests with questions, directions, and ride instructions
- Helping keep your area clean, tidy, and ready for the next wave of visitors
- Participating in ongoing in-service training and safety drills
Position Details
- Employer: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
- Position: Lifeguard
- Location: Santa Claus, Indiana, USA
- Pay: $13.00 per hour
- Hours: approximately 40 hours per week
- Season: Summer through Fall
- Tips: Not applicable for this position
Why Santa Claus, Indiana?
Yes, the town really is named Santa Claus – with street names like Candy Cane Lane and Christmas Boulevard! Located in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, it's a safe, welcoming small town surrounded by lakes, forests, and friendly locals who love hosting international students every summer. On your days off you can explore nearby Lake Rudolph, hike in Lincoln State Park, or take weekend trips to Louisville, Nashville, Indianapolis, Chicago, and St. Louis – all within driving distance.
Benefits & Perks
- Full lifeguard certification training provided – no prior experience required, just confidence in the water
- Free admission to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari for you (and often for your friends on select days)
- Employee discounts on food and merchandise
- Free soft drinks and sunscreen all season long
- Employee events, parties, and team activities
- A resume-boosting international certification in first aid, CPR, and water rescue
- A huge community of Work & Travel students from dozens of countries
What We're Looking For
- University student aged 18–25 with a valid J-1 Work & Travel visa
- Strong swimming ability – you must pass a swim test (tread water, retrieve a weight from the pool bottom, swim a set distance)
- Good conversational English and confident communication skills
- Responsible, alert, and calm under pressure
- Comfortable working outdoors in sunny, hot weather
- Friendly, guest-focused attitude and strong teamwork
- Availability for the full season, including weekends and holidays
Ready to trade lecture halls for lifeguard towers? This is your chance to earn in US dollars, gain internationally recognized certifications, improve your English every single day, and build memories – and friendships – that last far longer than one summer. Apply now for the Lifeguard position at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari and make this the summer you'll never forget!
Ride Operator
Work Where Every Day Feels Like a Holiday
Imagine starting your workday with the roar of a world-record wooden roller coaster and the laughter of thousands of guests. As a Ride Operator at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, you'll be at the very heart of one of America's most beloved family theme parks — a place voted the World's Friendliest Park and World's Cleanest Park year after year.
This is more than a summer job. It's a chance to build real customer-service and teamwork skills in the U.S., improve your English every single day, and make friends from all over the world while getting paid to be part of the fun.
What You'll Be Doing
- Operating rides and attractions safely, following strict safety procedures and daily checklists
- Welcoming guests, checking restraints, and giving clear boarding instructions over the microphone
- Measuring guests for height requirements and answering questions about the ride
- Keeping ride queues, platforms, and surrounding areas clean and tidy
- Providing friendly, upbeat service to families and guests of all ages
- Working as part of a rotating team across different rides, water slides, and attractions
Why Santa Claus, Indiana?
Yes — the town is really called Santa Claus! This charming small town in southern Indiana is famous for its Christmas-themed streets, its post office that answers letters to Santa, and its warm, welcoming community that has hosted international students for many years.
Holiday World is home to legendary wooden coasters like The Voyage, The Raven and The Legend, plus Splashin' Safari — one of the top-rated water parks in the United States. In your free time you can explore local lakes and state parks, take road trips to Louisville, Nashville, Indianapolis, Chicago or St. Louis, and experience authentic small-town American life.
Position Details
- Employer: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
- Position: Ride Operator
- Location: Santa Claus, Indiana, USA
- Industry: Hospitality & Entertainment
- Pay: $13.00 per hour
- Hours: 40 hours per week (overtime possible during peak season)
- Season: Summer through Fall
- Tips: Not applicable for this role
Perks & Benefits
- Free admission to the park for you and complimentary tickets for friends
- Free soft drinks and sunscreen for guests and staff — a Holiday World signature!
- Employee events, parties and end-of-season celebrations
- Support with housing arrangements and airport pickup coordination
- An international team of J-1 students — instant friends from day one
- Valuable U.S. hospitality experience for your CV
- Extended earning potential into the popular Halloween season
What We're Looking For
- University student aged 18–25, eligible for the Work & Travel USA (J-1) program
- Conversational English — you'll be speaking with guests all day
- Positive, energetic attitude and a genuine smile
- Comfortable standing for long periods and working outdoors in summer heat
- Strong sense of responsibility — guest safety comes first
- Reliable, punctual and ready to work weekends and holidays
- Available for the full season, including the Fall extension if possible
Ready for Your American Summer?
Spots at Holiday World fill up fast every year — this is one of the most requested Work & Travel placements in the United States. Apply today and spend your summer making memories for thousands of guests (and for yourself) in Santa Claus, Indiana!
About Indiana
Indiana offers lakes, resorts like French Lick and friendly Midwestern towns. Students typically work in resort hotels, restaurants and attractions in a relaxed, affordable summer setting.