Secaucus, NJ: Become a ‘scientist’ for dinosaur park

From Hudson REporter: Become a ‘scientist’ for dinosaur park
One hundred and fifty jobs are available at Field Station: Dinosaur, a family attraction located adjacent to Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus that includes thirty life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. President and Chief Executive Officer Guy Gsell spoke to a full house in the Business Resource Center at the Secaucus Public Library on Mar. 12 about the types of job opportunities available at the park.

The outdoor attraction will debut over Memorial Day weekend, although school groups may visit earlier. From Memorial Day until the end of the school year, they are only open on the weekends. After school lets out the park will open rain or shine every day until Labor Day. After Labor Day the park returns to a weekend schedule for the public.

The park targets kids ages 3 to 11 and is more like a zoo with dinosaurs than an amusement attraction. Children are treated as scientists on an expedition. They get credentials instead of tickets upon arrival.

The park includes a Dinosaur Dig Site, games like Dinosaur “Family Feud,” family Olympics, and workshops.

“Our mission is to teach children and families important lessons about our world today using the story and the science of dinosaurs,” said Gsell. “We want to make sure that kids are learning something that is relevant to their lives.”

Gsell said educational themes may address climate change, or the link between dinosaurs and birds, for example.

Job involves learning

A countywide job fair will be held on Apr. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“You will have to learn a lot about dinosaurs,” said Gsell in regard to the job positions. He said the New Jersey State Museum will provide training to new employees, especially so they can learn dinosaur names like Argentinasaurus and Dilophosaurus.

Gsell said that the park is experience is a personal one. Kids may already know the names of 12 dinosaurs when coming in to the park, but he also expects them to learn the names of five employees by the time they leave. Employees will wear zookeeper-type uniforms and will also play the role of scientist as they perform their duties.

Gsell said they are looking for very friendly, personable people who are eager to learn and teach. “At our place, everyone is a scientist,” said Gsell.

Hudson County residents get priority over outside applicants.

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“At our place, everyone is a scientist.” – Guy Gsell

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Part-time and summer work

The people who turned out for the job fair in Secaucus included many high school students and a mix of local residents who sought part-time jobs. Many students were interested in finding their first job experience like 16-year-old Hailey Graf, a sophomore at Secaucus High School.

“I like science,” said Graf. She said she wanted a sense of responsibility and independence in her first job.

Friend Kelsey Mitchell, 16, was looking for a job that would last through the summer. “It looks really cool,” said Mitchell about the Field Station job opportunities.

Sixteen-year-old Andrew Wortman’s favorite dinosaur is the Velociraptor. “I find them interesting,” he said. He is trying to save money for end-of-summer trips with local Boy Scouts troop 222.

Khevna Bhavsar and her father-in-law, Bharat Bhavsar, were both looking for part-time work. Khevna has two children and sought an opportunity that would allow her to balance her stay-at-home mom duties.

Field Station: Dinosaur is currently accepting applications and will make hiring decisions after the next job fair. Applicants must be 16 years or older. For more info, visit: http://fieldstationdinosaurs.com.

School groups begin arriving mid-may. The park officially opens Memorial Day weekend.