OCCUPATION: COSTUMED CHARACTER

Name: Thomas W. Hurner

Company: Knott’s Berry Farm

Thumbs up: “Meeting people from all over the world. The first person I met my first day on the job was from Tasmania. I love telling stories about the old West to kids and making history come to life for them.”

Thumbs down: “I really can’t think of a downside to this job. I worked with the public for many years before I came here and was starting to get very burned out. But this job energizes me and I learn just as much from the people as they do from me.”

Next step: “I have been learning more about how blacks and other racial groups participated in the settling of the West and plan to include their stories in our Adventures in Education talks.”

Advice: “If the role requires interaction with people, it’s important to have the gift of gab and a love of the subject you’re dealing with. The main thing is to have fun with the character and the park visitors.”

Salary range: From $7 to $20 per hour.

Fringe benefits: Most amusement park employees receive paid medical, dental, sick leave and retirement plans.

Hours: Most work an eight-hour day, 40-hour week. Requires some night and weekend work.

Educational and training requirements: Some parks require a background in drama. Characters attend training seminars, but most of the learning takes place on the job.

Job description: Costumed characters give demonstrations, greet guests and pose for pictures at amusement parks. Some have non-speaking parts, others follow a scripted format. Some, such as Hurner’s character, Seldom Seen Slim, conduct tours and give educational seminars.

For more information: Contact an amusement park personnel office.