Careers
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For over 150 years we've brought people together and are always looking for talented people to join us!
Current Career Opportunities:
Exciting Job Opportunity: Join Western Fair District's Promotional Team!
We are looking for capable, energetic, enthusiastic, and hardworking individuals to join the Western Fair’s Promotional Team to help bring life to our fair mascot “Happy Days” at community events across the region and throughout the 10-day fair in September. The Western Fair’s “Happy Camper” Promotional Team will create memorable experiences for future and current guests traveling to select community events within our region and during the Western Fair (Sept 6-15, 2024)! Team members should be ready and able to drive (must have a valid driver's license) to community events predominantly on weekends throughout the summer months, sell tickets/merchandise at events, and perform in either the capacity of the Mascot Performer and/or the Mascot Handler. Promotional team members will be scheduled to rotate through all positions so each team member can fill in as needed.
What will you DO?
In your role as a Western Fair Promotional Team member, your primary accountabilities will be to:
- Interact with guests of all ages including but not limited to selling tickets, promoting the Western Fair event in September, performing as the mascot and mascot handler, taking photos with guests, etc.
- Driving a small promotional ‘camper’ vehicle, equipped with a Mascot dressing room, ticket kiosk, and promotional materials to summer community events, connecting with each event organizer as you arrive, coordinating activation site, parking vehicle, setting up ‘booth/vehicle’ and marketing Western Fair for a set number of scheduled hours, to sell advance tickets, perform Mascot photos ops, walkabouts, etc. Tear down and drive back to Western Fair to drop off promotional vehicle each scheduled promo day. Potential for 16 summer weekend events, single to multi-event day coverage (depending on the event) plus a 10-day run of the Western Fair. This is considered a part-time, on-call, seasonal position, with the potential for 200+ working hours in the season, based on availability.
- Preserve the brand and identity of the Mascot without deviating from established character including body language/mannerisms, attitude, guest interaction, and overall representation.
- Maintain performance standards at the highest level of professional expectations.
- Always maintain a positive rapport with guests and staff.
- Provide a helpful and entertaining experience to all guests.
- Providing professional guest service, and working with guests of all ages
- Working well in a fast-paced environment.
- Ensure the safety of team members and the mascot (stairs, walking in crowds, etc.)
What else?
- Experience working as a mascot is considered an asset.
- Must have a valid class G driver's license.
- Ticket selling, cash-out, experience an asset
- Ability to fit into the “Happy Days” Costume. (Recommend height: 5”8-6”1)
- Must have previous work experience in a customer service capacity, entertainment, or other relevant work experience dealing with the public.
- Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Must be comfortable around children and in large crowds.
- Must be able to improvise and interact with guests.
- Ability to deal with the public in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner.
- Must be an energetic and self-motivated team player with a positive attitude and a strong desire to succeed.
- Must have strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to work well under minimal supervision; problem solve and deal with difficult situations under pressure.
- Must have the physical ability to perform mascot actions in costume (i.e. standing, running, kneeling, reaching, jumping, bending, frequent upper and lower body movements etc.) able to navigate stairs, and able to walk or stand for extended periods.
- Must have a strong tolerance for heat and working in the sun.
- Good physical condition, with the ability to withstand the demands of performing in a costume weighing approximately 15lbs.
- Ability to work a variety of shifts from May – September including daytime, evenings, weekends, Statutory Holidays, and the ten days of the Annual Fair (Sep 6-15, 2024).
- Subject to a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, a criminal record check and reference check.
Who are you?
- Energetic and passionate
- Good with people and crowds
- Skillful communicator
- Proactive
- Reliable
Where and when to APPLY?
If you or someone you know would be a great fit, please submit a resume and cover letter to hr [at] westernfairdistrict.com (subject: Promotional%20Team%20Application) (hr[at]westernfairdistrict[dot]com)
We look forward to hearing from you!
Why Join us
Be a part of one-of-a-kind exciting projects, working for a Not-for-Profit Agricultural Society that reinvests in its people and our community... all while having a little bit of fun!
Our Culture
We are a not-for-profit Agricultural Society that has deep roots in the City of London and southwestern Ontario. The ‘District’ is committed to providing experiences that enrich your life and the community and as part of our “not-for-profit” status, we reinvest our revenue surpluses into our staff, our facilities, and programming to meet the needs of our community. We give our employees the opportunity to grow professionally, and personally all while being a part of a team that is…
- Proud
- Energetic
- Highly-principled
- Dedicated
- Imaginative
The Perks
- Commitment to professional growth and development through training opportunities
- Competitive compensation
- Flexible work arrangements
- Engagement events
- Extended Health Benefits*
- Yearly fitness credit*
- Employer-matched defined-contribution pension program*
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
* For eligible employees
Rewarding Dedication
We're over 150 years strong, and we traditionally acknowledge and share our thanks with our long service employees. Reward levels begin at 10 years and move up in 5-year increments. Employees of all service levels are significant, and we can say we have celebrated 30, 40, and 50-year service employees! Yes, that’s right!
Be Yourself
Employees are encouraged to ask questions and be empowered to make decisions. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to create a stimulating and open workplace that promotes teamwork, fairness, respect, and diversity.
We also provide accommodations to employees with special needs. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant’s accommodation needs.
Social Impact
From the beginning, we've brought people and communities together to celebrate what life has to offer. Agri-food, our community, and sustainability are all important parts of our past, present, and future. Our Change for Change program allows employees to donate a portion of their paycheck to their charity of choice, which we then match in contribution. One of our sustainability projects is The Wormery, it utilizes green waste, reduces emissions, and creates a natural fertilizer that promotes plant growth. Learn about The Wormery here
We invest in the development and growth of thousands of youth, students, local artists, performers, and athletes annually through various programs and facilities. (e.g. Rise2Fame, Learn To Skate, School Agri-Food Education, Day of Dreams, and more.)
CAP is our Community Access Program that makes a small difference in the lives of individuals and families who cannot access entertainment or events without a support person or are living on fixed incomes.
Our Donation Committee supports hundreds of local/regional non-profit organizations with donations, silent auction items, and gift cards to help them raise funds for individual causes, for the betterment of the communities we serve.
We are committed to corporate social responsibility and is one of our strategic initiatives.
Have Questions?
If you have any questions about employment, please email hr [at] westernfairdistrict.com (subject: General%20Question) (hr[at]westernfairdistrict[dot]com)
If you're interested in working at the District, please send your resume and cover letter to hr [at] westernfairdistrict.com (subject: Employment%20Opportunities) (hr[at]westernfairdistrict[dot]com )
