FARMINGTON — Lagoon, the state's largest employer of teenagers, will hire 1,500 seasonal employees this year, most of them 16 to 18 years old.
But are these positions at the "fun spot of Utah" really an ideal summer job for teens?
"It is a perfect summer job," said Terry Capener, Lagoon vice president and general manager. "Employees get discount ride passes, free admission (except on blackout dates), and there's friends, socials and parties."
However, he said, there are some downsides.
"It's also a real job, don't forget that, and it can be very hot standing in the summer sun. We're also open seven days a week, and employees have to be available to work seven days a week, even Sundays."
Lagoon will hold its annual job interviews from 9 a.m. to noon on two Saturdays, March 8 and 15, at Farmington Junior High School, 150 S. 200 West. Lifeguards will be hired separately at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, at Lagoon.
What are the chances of a teenager being hired?
"If you're a good kid and you don't have any problems on your application, there's about a 90 percent chance of being hired," Capener said, indicating a teenager will know at the of end of the interview if he or she is hired.
What's Lagoon looking for in employees?
"We like to go after the ones with character," Capener said. For game operators, sales-oriented kids do best. "It's a good job if you stick with it."
What about low grade point averages?
"We look at grades," he said. "But we make a decision on the whole kid."
To help teens and parents know more about what a job at Lagoon involves, here are some pertinent facts:
Ages — Lagoon hires teens 15 and up (based on their age as of June 15, 2003), plus a very limited number of 14-year-olds. Younger workers are more limited on hours and what jobs they can do. For example, ride operators must be at least 16.
Salary — $6 per hour for age 16 and up, and $4.55 for ages 14-15. Second-year employees earn $6.25 per hour. For all those who work an entire season, there's a year-end bonus based on an extra 50 cents per hour for every hour worked before mid-August and another $1 per hour for time worked after that.
Interviews — Teens fill out an application first on March 8 or 15 and then choose what department they want to interview with — rides, concessions, games, etc.
Season — Lagoon opens for weekends on Saturday, April 12, and goes full-time from Memorial Day until the end of August. However, training for new employees begins in mid-March. Most new workers are trained one or more weekends before April's opening. Because of Frightmares, there's some opportunity to work weekends in October. too.
Extra costs — A food handler's permit ($6-$10) is required for concession employees.
Uniforms — A $20 deposit fee is required for all employees and refundable at the end of the year, if clothes are returned properly.
Working Sundays — Most employees average two Sunday shifts per month. However, some who prefer not to work that day manage to trade with other employees for other days. Since Lagoon has been hiring 150 to 200 foreign workers the past two years, the required Sunday workload has decreased somewhat.
Daily hours — Lagoon has morning-afternoon shifts and afternoon-evening shifts. Hours can start as early as 8 a.m. and go as late as 12:30 a.m. for those with closure/cleanup duties. Teens ages 14-15 can only work a 40-hour maximum week with the average being 25-35 hours. Those age 16 and up can work as much as they want, with the average range being 30-50 hours.
Family vacations — Those who put in early requests for family trips usually get time off. Vacations are limited to a 10-day span.
Meals — Lagoon has a cafeteria for employees. They can either purchase their meals at a discount or bring their own sack lunch/dinner.
Turnover — Approximately 50 percent to 60 percent of Lagoon's employees work at least a second season. A 25 percent turnover of employees during a season is typical.
Transportation — Employees have to provide their own transportation. Most employees are from Davis County, but some come from as far away as Brigham City, Morgan and West Valley City. UTA Route 70 does offer regular six-day service to Farmington, but only limited service on Sundays and via shuttle to Lagoon itself.
For more information, go online to www.lagoonpark.com.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com