Five Ohio State Park Lodges located in the central and northern parts of the state are about to start the process of finding and hiring close to 300 employees to fill a variety of seasonal positions this summer. Many of these positions turn into year-round jobs.
“We are going to need a lot of people with varied skills and capabilities in the usual areas of housekeeping and food and beverage, but there are also positions open in maintenance departments, golf courses, marinas and more,” said Kristy Valleroy, manager, Ohio Regional Human Resources for Xanterra Parks & Resorts. “What our people typically have in common, however, is the desire to spend the summer working in some of the state’s most scenic ‘offices.'”
The five lodges operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts are all located within an easy drive of major cities throughout Ohio as well Pittsburgh, Detroit, and other Midwestern cities.
- Salt Fork State Park Lodge is 12 miles from Cambridge near the I-70/I-77 interchange.
- Mohican State Park Lodge is east of I-71 approximately 75 miles from both Columbus and Akron.
- Punderson Manor State Park Lodge is 35 miles east of Cleveland north of US-422.
- Maumee Bay State Park Lodge is 12 miles east of Toledo and north of the Ohio Turnpike (I-80).
- Deer Creek State Park Lodge is 35 miles south of Columbus east of I-71.
The lodges offer a vast array of seasonal jobs. Examples of seasonal jobs include housekeepers, gift shop clerks, bartenders and kitchen and dining room workers. Peak season in the lodges is Memorial Day to Labor Day, and that is when staffing is at its highest. Many college students are hired because their schedules coincide so well with the lodges’ needs. The lodges also value retirees and veterans because of their discipline and work ethic.
“It is not uncommon for seasonal employment to turn into year round positions,” said Valleroy. “Many of our most-valued and long-term employees started out as seasonal hires.”
A few job fairs to fill open positions will be conducted including Punderson Manor on March 10 at Kent State University. Salt Fork will conduct its job fair sometime in April. Mohican’s plans will be determined soon. Deer Creek will fill positions directly without a job fair. Maumee Bay held a fair on March 8.
To learn more about employment opportunities or to request a job application, visit the individual park web sites and follow the employment link. Prospective employees can apply online.
All of the lodges offer employees a 20 percent restaurant discount and 30 percent retail discount. The lodges also offer room stays after 90 days of employment free of charge in Ohio and 50 percent off outside of Ohio with Xanterra properties in destinations such as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Parks. Employees are also able to use the recreation facilities during specified times/days of the week. Other benefits include low-cost meal programs, direct deposit, shoe discount programs, wellness programs and an Employee Assistance Program.
