Live event – Outdoor / Event Specialist

Job title: Winter Fest Operator – Outdoor

Location: Cambridge, MA 02138

2 months contract

Note:

Workers should have live event experience**

Candidates are OK with working outside in this position regularly.

Hours per Week: 32

Schedule

January 13, 2025 – March 7, 2025

Wednesday – Saturday, 11am-8pm (1 hour break 3pm-4pm)

Please note that this is an outdoor seasonal winter position.

Job Overview

Plaza WinterFest is an eight-week seasonal winter event series at the Science Center Plaza for the Harvard community and visiting public. WinterFest features fire pits, music, and outdoor games including cornhole, ping-pong, and foosball. This year will also include ice bumper cars as a low-cost ticketed activity. The WinterFest Operator is an outdoor role that will aid in all aspects of the daily operation with the purpose of creating a place where Harvard students, faculty, staff, and the general public can take a break from their routines and enjoy rides, play games, and spend time together. The WinterFest Operator reports to the Associate Director of Common Spaces with direction from the Common Spaces Plaza Coordinator.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide a welcoming environment for visitors to WinterFest with particular focus on the ice bumper car operation including management of crowd flow, special needs assistance, and general questions about the operation.

• Open and close the operation and warming hut each day. At end of shift, lock Plaza equipment in shed and trailer, turn on/off space heaters, lights, and music playlists.

• Ensure that rules and policies for use of bumper cars equipment and other amenities are adhered to.

• Oversee line management, crowd control, and communicate closely with the ticketing sales booth (managed by student staff from Harvard Student Agencies) about number of rider slots available.

• Perform ice and bumper car safety checks before and after rides.

• Explain to customers how to enter the cars/use the equipment.

• Assist customers safely on/off synthetic ice.

• Oversee safety/make announcements using a microphone during each ice bumper car ride.

• Notify Harvard University police and the Common Spaces team in the event of an emergency.

• Monit fire pits, occasionally lighting the flames and replenishing wood (training provided) with support from Facilities staff and Cambridge Fire Department.

• Put out fire pits at the end of the night.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years customer service experience required, must be comfortable speaking to customers, answering questions, and offering assistance.

• Interest in community engagement, event management, and/or recreational sports preferred but not required.

• Must be comfortable spending long durations of time outdoors in low temperatures.

• Must be able to lift 50lbs