Pay: Based on experience
Schedule: 20–40 hours/week (seasonal, includes weekends & some holidays)

About the Role

We’re looking for a Seasonal Assistant Manager to help lead daily operations at Olentangy Caverns — a family-focused outdoor destination featuring caverns, gem mining, mini golf, petting zoo, playgrounds, and seasonal events.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in fast-paced, customer-facing environments and enjoys working with families and kids. You’ll work closely with ownership to ensure smooth daily operations, excellent guest experiences, and strong team performance.

What You’ll Do

This role includes general staff responsibilities plus leadership and operational support.

Providing positive guest interactions is essential, while also maintaining a safe environment for families. There are a lot of moving parts at Olentangy Caverns and the ideal candidate is able to balance immediate tasks, as well as planning for the weeks (and months) ahead.

Guest Experience

• Model exceptional customer service

• Handle guest concerns and problem-solving

• Ensure attractions are staffed and running smoothly

• Create a welcoming, energetic environment for families

Team Leadership

• Help supervise and support seasonal staff (often high school & college age)

• Assist with training and onboarding

• Provide feedback and accountability

• Lead by example during peak traffic times

Operations

• Open/close procedures

• Cash handling & POS oversight

• Maintain cleanliness and organization across the property

• Coordinate staffing during busy days or events

• Support special events and group visits

Outdoor Work Environment

• This is an active, outdoor position

• Must be comfortable working in varying weather conditions

• Walking, lifting, and being on your feet most of the day

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in customer-facing roles and prior management experience
  (Retail, hospitality, tourism, child-centered programming, camps, family entertainment, etc.)

• Prior leadership or supervisory experience preferred

• Strong communication and problem-solving skills

• Calm under pressure during busy days

• Enjoys working with kids and families

• Reliable and available weekends

Ideal Candidate

You might be a great fit if you:

• Have managed retail or hospitality teams

• Have worked in camps, family attractions, or youth programs

• Thrive in organized chaos (sunny Saturdays in July!) and can succeed on both slower rainy days and very busy weekends

• Want a leadership role without being stuck behind a desk

Why This Role Matters

Our summer season drives the success of the entire business. This position plays a key role in:

• Elevating guest experience

• Supporting young seasonal staff

• Ensuring smooth operations during high-traffic days

• Helping ownership focus on growth and strategic improvements

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are launching expanded nature-based educational programming and are seeking a Nature-Based Educator / Naturalist to lead high-quality, engaging outdoor workshops for children ages 3–12.

This is a leadership-level instructional role for someone who is passionate about connecting children to nature through hands-on exploration, curiosity, and structured yet joyful learning experiences.

The right candidate will help shape the culture and quality of our programming while delivering memorable, developmentally appropriate classes in an outdoor setting.

This is not a “camp counselor” position. It is an educational leadership role with curriculum ownership and meaningful impact.

Compensation is negotiable based on experience.

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

Instruction & Facilitation

• Lead nature-based workshops for preschool and elementary-aged children

• Deliver engaging, hands-on lessons rooted in environmental education principles

• Adapt content for mixed age groups

Curriculum & Program Development

• Collaborate on or develop lesson plans. Incorporate seasonal themes, local ecology, and place-based learning.

• Contribute ideas for future workshops, camps, or series.

• Help refine programming based on feedback and observation

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should have a background in at least one of the following:

• Nature-based or environmental education

• Traditional classroom education (with strong personal interest in outdoor learning)

• Certified naturalist training

• Outdoor recreation leadership

• Forest school or experiential learning programs

Additional requirements:

• Experience working with children ages 3–12

• Strong classroom or group management skills

• Comfort leading programming outdoors in varying weather

• Clear communication skills with both children and adults

• Passion for fostering wonder, curiosity, and environmental stewardship

Nice to have (but not required):

• State teaching license

• Certified Naturalist credential

• CPR/First Aid certification

• Experience designing curriculum

This Role Is Ideal For

• Former or current elementary or preschool teachers

• Certified naturalists seeking child-focused programming

• Environmental educators

• Forest school facilitators

• Outdoor recreation leaders

• Professionals seeking meaningful, mission-driven part-time work

What Success Looks Like

• Children leave excited, curious, and eager to return

• Parents recognize clear educational value and professionalism

• Programs feel structured yet joyful — not chaotic

• Safety and group management are handled confidently

• The curriculum reflects seasonal rhythms and place-based learning

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Programs take place primarily outdoors and may include wooded areas, trails, open fields, and hands-on exploration environments.

This role requires:

• Active engagement

• Walking and standing for extended periods

• Comfort with mud, weather shifts, and hands-on discovery

WHY JOIN US?

This is an opportunity to help shape a growing nature-based education initiative rooted in hands-on exploration and authentic outdoor experiences.

You will have meaningful influence over programming direction and the chance to build something intentional, high-quality, and community-centered from the ground up.

If you are passionate about helping children develop confidence, curiosity, and connection to the natural world, we invite you to apply.

UPDATE AS OF OCTOBER 2026: We will begin hiring for the 2027 season in late February / early March.

While summer-only seasonal staff may be considered, priority will be given to strong candidates who are able to work the entire season (March - October).

Pay: $16/hr

Age range: Must be 18+ years

Schedule / Hours:

• This is an hourly, seasonal position — generally 20 - 40 hours per week.

• Weekend and weekdays are required and may include spring/summer/fall holidays (Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day).

• Working hours may extend 1-2+ hours before and after open/close, based on special events, parties, staffing needs, and potential extended summer hours.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following types of tasks:

• Running a cash register while selling activity tickets and souvenirs in the gift shop.

• Looking after the petting zoo herd and ensuring the safety of all guests and animals.

• Caring for the miniature golf course, removing debris as needed, and collecting golf balls.

• Entering the cave to check on the safety of guests.

• Assisting customers with activities and maintaining all areas: refilling treasure hunt maze dispensers, organizing food for petting zoo guests, prepping the gem mining sluice, etc.

• Restocking and maintaining retail areas.

• Assisting with onsite management of large groups, including school field trips, birthday parties, and events

• Assisting with general day-to-day upkeep of property (collecting trash, maintaining a clean gift shop through sweeping and dusting, clearing picnic tables, cleaning restrooms, cleaning animal areas including scooping poop in the petting zoo, etc)

• Other duties as assigned.

Physical & Mental Demands:

• Ability to lift 20 - 40 lbs.

• Ability to walk around outdoor terrain and walk up/down 58 steps to enter the cave.

• Able to reasonably handle emergency situations that may arise from interaction with the general public.

• Willing to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

Not required, but nice to have:

• Previous experience working with children and/or family-focused activities

• Previous experience in retail, outdoor management, or seasonal attractions

• Special knowledge, education, or interest in related topics (geology, nature, arts & crafts, animals)

**BECAUSE OUR FIRST PROGRAM BEGINS IN SEPT, THIS POSITION IS NOT OPEN TO APPLICANTS WHO LEAVE FOR COLLEGE.**

Olentangy Caverns is seeking part-time Nature Educators to lead outdoor education programming for children and families. These roles will continue through late fall, take a short winter break, and resume early spring.

Nature Educators will bring our new, nature-based education programs to life through hands-on learning, curiosity, warmth, and strong group leadership. Ideal candidates enjoy working with children, feel comfortable outdoors, and can confidently lead a group while creating a positive experience for both kids and parents.

Position Type: Part-time, hourly

Pay: $18/hr or commensurate with experience

Program types: summer workshops, homeschool enrichment, after school nature clubs, preschool nature enrichment

What You’ll Do

• Lead nature-based programming for children in a clear, engaging, and age-appropriate way

• Create a warm, welcoming environment for children and their caregivers

• Use hands-on teaching methods that encourage curiosity, observation, exploration, and respect for nature

• Manage group flow, behavior, transitions, and timing during classes

• Arrive prepared and ready to lead with confidence and professionalism

• Set up and clean up materials as needed

• Communicate professionally with families and team members

• Help create a safe, organized, and positive learning environment outdoors

• Adapt calmly when weather, group dynamics, or other variables require flexibility

• Provide feedback after workshops to help improve future programming

Ideal Candidate

• Has prior experience working with children in either a formal or informal education setting

• Has some naturalist background, outdoor education experience, environmental education experience, or similar training

• Is comfortable speaking in front of small groups of children and adults

• Can balance fun, structure, and safety

• Is dependable, observant, and able to take initiative

• Enjoys being outside and helping children connect with nature

• Is aligned with a curiosity-driven outdoor learning approach

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching preschool and/or elementary-aged children

• Background in education, environmental education, interpretation, natural resources, parks, camps, homeschooling enrichment, or related fields

• Familiarity with leading activities in outdoor settings

Schedule

• Part-time

• Hours will vary based on program schedule and season

• Weekday daytime availability will be needed, as well as some possible weekend workshop dates

• Additional opportunities may grow as programming expands

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Children are engaged, comfortable, and excited to participate

• Parents feel confident in your professionalism and presence

• Classes / workshops run smoothly and stay on time

• You can lead with both warmth and authority

• You help create a memorable experience that makes families want to return

About the Role

This is a great fit for someone who enjoys the intersection of:

• children

• nature

• education

• group leadership

• meaningful local community programming