OCCUPATION: PUMPKIN PATCH MANAGER

Name: Doug Van Patten

Company: Pumpkin City’s Pumpkin Farm

Thumbs up: “I like this job because it’s seasonal. I’m a part-time student at UC Irvine majoring in math and I take a quarter off every year to do this--it helps pay for school. But I also like this job because I like working outdoors and dealing with different people. Plus, I can kid watch--we get a lot of preschools coming in here, and the animals are pretty cool.”

Thumbs down: “The hours are tough--I’m here 24 hours. And the manual labor isn’t easy--loading and unloading all of the pumpkins, setting up the lot, etc.”

Next step: “I do this (at Halloween) and then Christmas trees in December.”

Advice: “You have to be able to talk to people. You have to be friendly and able to deal with 100 screaming kids.”

Salary range: $4.25 to $8 an hour for regular workers; managers can make up to $8,000 for the Halloween and Christmas seasons.

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; managers are on the lot 24 hours for security and to take care of the animals.

Educational and training requirements: Pumpkin City trains its staff in safety procedures, where to find the fire extinguishers and exits, as well as trains cashiers, ticket-takers and ride personnel on how to handle pumpkins and to maintain the lot.

Size of work force: 200.

Expected demand: Slight. Most of the seasonal workers return from year to year.

Job description: Pumpkin Patch managers keep busy: They operate kiddie rides, monitor cashiers, clean the animal pens, fix any broken machines, feed the animals, keep the lot clean and organized, restock pumpkins and concessions. For more information: As a pumpkin lot is being set up, immediately submit an application to the manager.