Seasonal Jobs in Columbus Ohio

  • Pay: Starting at $20/hour, based on experience
    Schedule: 30–40 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.

    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 June!)

    • 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.

  • Pay: $15/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, clearing picnic tables, 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)

Cave tours are self-guided.

Entry-level team members do not give tours, so there are no requirements to memorize a script.

Ready to apply?

We’d love to hear from you.

We hire staff for all parts of our season. We also have a small number of year-round crew members.

We know college-age students are typically available to work May - August and we can accommodate that for the right candidate.

Application Form

Prefer to send a resume?

Drop us a line.

Email your resume to info@olentangycaverns.com instead of completing the form on this page.