COME ONE, COME ALL PARKS FILL JOBS TO HANDLE SUMMER MOBS.

Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer

The Nasdaq isn't the only economic force riding a roller coaster these days.

Anticipating the coming peak season, local theme parks are seeking to augment their staffs by the thousands for the summer months. Six Flags California, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are all throwing open their doors to applicants. From coaster operators to costumed chickens, the parks are offering a wide variety of openings for folks looking to pick up some extra spending cash.

Though seasonal employment was once the express domain of high-schoolers trying to pass empty summer months, parks are increasingly looking to anyone interested, from mothers seeking light work to seniors with spare time. And to get them, the parks are proffering plenty of perks.

``No matter what stage in life people are, it's a fun job,'' said Ray del Rosario, employment supervisor for Six Flags. ``We attract a wide range of people from all types of backgrounds. That's great because it makes a really diverse work force.''

To sweeten the deal, Six Flags comps its employees free admission and guest passes, along with merchandise discounts. Universal Studios ups the ante another notch, also giving its staff movie passes, admission to preview screenings and bargain prices on CDs - an ancillary benefit of working for the Vivendi Universal entertainment empire.

Though these extras might seem extreme for entry-level positions, most of which will last only to Labor Day, the parks need the help in a major way. With many thousands of customers streaming through the gates, a beefed-up support base is crucial.

``It's rockin' and rolling here, there's thousands of people every day,'' said Dana Zeno, director of staffing services for Universal Studios. ``We definitely need excellent individuals who have guest service in mind here.''

To fill these slots, each park holds summer job fairs. Six Flags shopped its ticket-taker slots Tuesday, and Knott's expects several hundred at its event Saturday, to be held at Western High School in Buena Park. Universal Studios is following up on May 9 and 10 at the on-site Globe Theatre. Disneyland hasn't announced plans for a job fair, but regularly hires extra workers for the summer onslaught of tourists.

``Last year, we had 2,000 to 3,000 individuals who visited,'' Zeno said. ``We hired about 1,100.''

At Six Flags' fair, some candidates landed jobs on the spot.

``For most of the positions in the park, as long as they're hirable, they'll have jobs right away,'' del Rosario said.

As those new hires strutted away, clutching their paperwork, the applicants filling out their forms looked on enviously.

``It will be a lot of fun,'' said Sarah Buchalla, a 15-year-old Saugus resident already dreaming of her anticipated post as a lifeguard at Six Flags' Hurricane Harbor. ``I've been on a swim team for eight years and I love being outside.''

Helen Amado of Chatsworth, semiretired but not quite ready to quit working, was interested in something a little less intense.

``I'm looking for a job that's appropriate for a senior - a young senior,'' she smiled while filling out an application. ``It's fun because you get to be around people who are having a good time.''

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Robert Castellanos, 21, and Ben Garcia, 19, of San Fernando fill out applications Tuesday for summer jobs at Six Flags California in Valencia.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer