Do you love Christmas music, working with children, and spreading holiday cheer? Nickel Plate Express is looking for enthusiastic Holiday Elves to join the cast of our holiday train experience!
Holiday Elves help bring the magic of the season to life aboard the train. Elves welcome families, lead Christmas carols and interactive activities, support the onboard holiday story, and help make every guest feel part of the adventure.
This is an active, guest-facing position aboard a moving train. The right candidate will be outgoing, dependable, comfortable performing in front of groups, and ready to bring consistent energy to every ride.
Schedule
Applicants must be available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from mid-November through December 23.
Weekend availability throughout the season is required. Shifts may include daytime and evening hours.
Responsibilities
- Welcome families aboard the train with warmth and enthusiasm
- Remain in character and help create an immersive holiday experience
- Interact with children and families throughout the ride
- Lead Christmas carols, sing-alongs, games, bell activities, and group participation
- Explain and support the storyline of the holiday train experience
- Distribute activity materials, bells, letters, or other guest items
- Introduce and assist onboard characters, including Santa and the Postmaster
- Help maintain the flow and timing of the program within the assigned train car
- Answer guest questions and provide excellent customer service
- Perform light food and beverage service
- Clean tables, seats, service areas, and train cars between rides
- Assist with boarding, deboarding, setup, restocking, and end-of-shift cleaning
- Follow all onboard safety procedures and staff instructions
- Work closely with other elves, performers, conductors, and event staff
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
Holiday Elves work aboard a moving passenger train in an active and sometimes noisy environment.
Applicants must be able to:
- Stand and walk for extended periods
- Maintain balance while the train is moving
- Safely climb train steps and move between seating and service areas
- Bend, reach, carry serving supplies, and complete light cleaning duties
- Speak and sing loudly enough to engage a full train car
- Maintain an upbeat and welcoming presence throughout multiple rides
- Work around children, large groups, food, beverages, and live entertainment
- Wear the provided costume or uniform for the duration of the shift
Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must enjoy working with children and families
- Comfortable singing Christmas carols and speaking in front of groups
- Enthusiastic, dependable, outgoing, and team-oriented
- Able to stay in character and maintain positive energy
- Comfortable working aboard a moving train
- Able to follow a schedule, script, and established program
- Strong customer service and communication skills
- Reliable transportation and consistent weekend attendance
- Performance, childcare, education, hospitality, theater, or food-service experience is helpful but not required
Professional singing experience is not required. Enthusiasm and a willingness to participate are much more important!
Costumes and uniforms are provided. All required training is paid.
Join our holiday crew and help create a magical Christmas experience for hundreds of families!
Pay: From $15.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
