Chief Ride Mechanic

Chief Ride Mechanic

The Chief Ride Mechanic oversees the maintenance and safe operation of all rides and attractions while leading the ride mechanic team. This role ensures equipment reliability, compliance with safety standards, and efficient daily operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned

• Understand and apply ASTM standards related to amusement rides
• Perform and oversee routine inspections of rides and attractions to ensure safe operation
• Maintain, install, repair, and troubleshoot rides and park equipment
• Diagnose mechanical and electrical issues and perform necessary repairs
• Inspect machinery and equipment to identify maintenance needs
• Repair or replace worn or defective parts using appropriate tools
• Plan, schedule, and perform preventative maintenance on rides and equipment
• Maintain accurate daily logs of maintenance work and preventative maintenance records
• Review equipment logs, track usage hours, and prepare reports for leadership
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals
• Utilize basic computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ensure overall equipment condition by addressing operational concerns and inspection findings
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Supervise, schedule, and support ride mechanic staff
• Train team members on maintenance procedures, safety standards, and proper equipment use
• Partner with the Director to ensure consistent training and adherence to safety practices
• Provide guidance, coaching, and performance feedback to team members
• Monitor equipment use and address operator-related damage, coordinating documentation and next steps with the Amusements Manager
• Review Equipment Logs and tally equipment hours and submit reports quarterly to Director.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Required

• At least 4 years' experience in the mechanical or electrical field.
• Electrical control experience is necessary to work on amusement rides.
• Experience in pneumatics, valves, gears, electrical circuitry, engines, electrical motors, starters, etc.
• Able to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with fellow employees.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Interpersonal skills to deal effectively with all business contacts.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Ability to effectively communicate in English in both written and oral forms.
• Excellent trouble-shooting abilities.
• Must possess the mental and physical capacities necessary to perform the primary job duties
• Must be able to obtain NAARSO/AIMS Level 1 Mechanical certification upon first available testing. Training provided.
• Flexible work schedule to include nights, weekends, and holidays
• Must have a valid U.S. Driver's license and must meet the City Park Motor Vehicle policy criteria to become authorized as a driver.

Preferred

• Post-high school training in related fields.
• Ability to diagnose and understand programming faults with PLCs
• Trade school certification.
• Welding experience
• Previous experience working in the amusement park industry with NAARSO/AIMS Certification

Sustainability Goals

City Park employees must strive to decrease our environmental footprint by continually seeking ways to reduce waste and energy usage, care for natural Park habitat and wildlife, and to serve as models to our patrons to do the same through education and example.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to constantly required to move from one worksite to another, communicate with others to exchange information, use repetitive motions with the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, operate machinery or power tools, and operate motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

The employee will be required to occasionally climb ladders, stairs, and the like, move in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces, remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods, and assess the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

The employee may also be required to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, grasp, talk, or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The physical demands will require the employee to constantly lift or move objects up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift or move objects up to 100 lbs. or more. Must be able to work weekends, evenings, and holidays. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions, low and high temperatures, and rain and wind, and occasionally be exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; explosives and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is loud. Hazardous conditions may occur.

We offer a competitive benefits package with unique park perks!

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available
• $50k Life Insurance Policy paid by the Employer
• 403(b) Retirement Plan - Employer matches up to 6%, no waiting period
• Flexible Spending Account (limited)
• Employee Assistance Program - confidential support for life challenges
• Paid Time Off program
• Two Floating Holidays and 15 Paid Holidays a year
• Unique Park discounts on food, merchandise and select events
• Complimentary tickets to Celebration in the Oaks
• One family Carousel Gardens Amusement Park Pass and one Friends of City Park Family Membership