Skate Host

Job description

**Skate Host – The Rink at Rockefeller Center** *2026–27 Season | October–Early Spring* **Overview** SPS is seeking warm, outgoing, and team-oriented individuals to join the hospitality team at The Rink at Rockefeller Center. As a Skate Host, you will help create a safe, welcoming, and memorable experience for guests visiting one of New York City’s most iconic destinations. Skate Hosts serve as an active presence on and around the ice, combining strong skating ability, safety awareness, crowd management skills, and a genuine hospitality mindset. Team members should be attentive, approachable, and confident communicating with diverse audiences in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The Rink is a seasonal cold-weather operation that runs rain or shine throughout the demanding winter. Candidates must be comfortable working on or near the ice and outdoors in cold temperatures and changing weather conditions, including rain, snow, and wind. An insulated winter jacket and vest will be provided. Schedules may include early mornings, daytime hours, evenings, late nights, weekends, holidays, and other high-volume periods. Weekend and holiday availability is required, with dependable morning and late-night availability strongly preferred. **Summary of Position** Skate Hosts are responsible for maintaining a safe, orderly, and enjoyable on-ice environment. This includes monitoring guest activity, enforcing skating and safety guidelines, verifying admission, assisting guests when needed, and managing the movement of large crowds. The role also includes supporting general rink operations, including rental skate services, guest wayfinding, locker room etiquette, cleaning and sanitizing, and occasional ice and venue maintenance. The ideal candidate has strong skating experience, sound judgment, a calm and confident presence, and the ability to engage guests with warmth and professionalism. Skate Hosts may also be asked to fill in at any other position at The Rink as needed and should be willing and able to assist in those areas when requested; training is provided. **Primary Responsibilities** - Monitor the ice and surrounding areas to promote a safe and enjoyable experience. - Communicate and enforce all rink safety guidelines, skating policies, and guest conduct standards. - Verify admission and ensure guests follow proper directional flow on the ice. - Monitor large crowds and communicate clear instructions during entry, exit, and other high-volume periods. - Respond appropriately to falls, injuries, and other safety concerns; assist the Medic on Duty when required. - Engage with guests in a friendly, encouraging, and professional manner. - Assist guests safely entering, exiting, and navigating the ice rink. - Answer guest questions about The Rink, Rockefeller Center, and related offerings. - Handle rental skate responsibilities, including exchanges, guest education, cleaning, sanitizing, and proper storage. - Direct guests throughout the venue and provide information regarding lockers, skating sessions, and rink procedures. - Anticipate guest needs and contribute to a welcoming, well-maintained environment. - Assist with occasional ice maintenance and general venue upkeep, including maintenance during snow events. - Issue appropriate credentials for rink access and communicate relevant session information. - Instruct guests on proper locker usage and etiquette. - Support general Skate House and rink operations as needed. - Maintain awareness of changing conditions and promptly report safety, maintenance, or guest concerns to a Manager on Duty. **Requirements** - Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. - Recreational or professional skating, hockey, figure skating, or other ice-sports experience is preferred; skating proficiency is required. - Must be comfortable and confident skating and remain on the ice for the duration of a scheduled shift. - All candidates will participate in an on-ice interview to confirm skating ability. - Must provide well-maintained personal ice skates approved by management. Hockey, figure, and recreational skates are generally acceptable; speed skates are not permitted. - Strong safety awareness, sound judgment, and the ability to make calm decisions in a high-volume environment. - Strong communication and guest-service skills, with the ability to engage guests warmly and professionally. - Ability to manage and direct large groups of people with confidence. - Must complete all required on-ice safety, incident-response, and emergency-procedure training; CPR and First Aid certification is a plus but not required. - Consistent attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this role; team members are expected to arrive on time, in uniform, and ready for every assigned shift. - Willingness and ability to fill in at any other position at The Rink as needed, and to assist in other areas when requested. Training is provided. - Weekend, holiday, early morning, and late-night availability is required. - Comfort working on or near the ice and outdoors in cold temperatures and changing winter conditions. <