Ravinia is both North America’s longest-running music festival and its most artistically diverse. Over 100 different events by a mix of rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, country, and classical performers make up a typical summer season on our two open-air and two indoor stages. Each year the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is featured in six weeks of concerts, many with Chief Conductor Marin Alsop. During the same summer months, the Ravinia Steans Music Institute provides young professional classical and jazz musicians with career-advancing training and concert settings. Offstage and year-round, Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs engage 75,000 children and adults—in schools with little to no music curriculum, in our Chicagoland communities, and at our 36-acre park—in our mission to make music equitably accessible to all.

Ravinia embraces diversity in all forms and is committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment for all staff, musicians, guest artists, audiences, and community members. Ravinia is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.

Ravinia Festival’s Vision

We believe in the power of shared, live music experiences to inspire ourselves and the world.

Ravinia’s principle goals are:

• To present performances of a full range of classical music in its open-air Pavilion and enclosed recital halls, by the world’s greatest composers and musicians, along with a variety of other kinds of light classical, jazz and popular music;
• To maintain a beautiful park that is welcoming to all and attractive to families in which the music experience is enhanced by a beautiful environment and excellent dining opportunities;
• To enable gifted young performers to study under great teachers and perform in concert settings;
• To develop broader and more diverse audiences for classical music through education and community engagement programs and by maintaining affordable ticket prices

The Ravinia Gate Staff handles all entry into the park. This position requires excellent customer service skills. Applicants must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Job duties include, but are not limited to, greeting patrons as they enter the park, scanning and collecting tickets for entry, and addressing patrons' questions and concerns.

The Ravinia season runs from early June through mid-September. Gate Staff shifts average 15 hours per week. Afternoon, evening and weekend hours are required. This position starts at $14.50 an hour.

General Responsibilities

• Politely welcome patrons into the park
• Scan and collect tickets for admission
• Enforce park rules and regulations
• Assist patrons and provide directions through the park
• Address any questions or concerns about the park and/or performances

Job Qualifications:

• Background check is required
• Applicant must be at least 16 years of age
• Excellent customer service skills
• Able to address concerns and show empathy towards others
• Able to be polite and respectful while maintaining composure under any circumstances
• Must be alert and attentive while standing for extended periods
• Must be astute in various situations and able to be assertive when appropriate
• Able to work effectively and coordinate well with others
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills
• Unafraid to ask questions
• Detail-oriented and accurate
• Must be punctual
• Flexible schedule that includes evening hours on weekdays and weekends

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

This position is primarily outdoors and in all weather conditions with prolonged periods of standing. It requires mostly afternoon/evening with occasional morning hours. Applicants must be available for both weekday and weekend hours.

Priority in hiring is given to applicants who are available to work the entire season. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age to be considered.

Interviews will be conducted until all positions are filled. Due to the high number of applications we may not be able to contact all applicants directly. If you do not hear from us, unfortunately, we do not have a position for you this season and we encourage you to apply again next year.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, Ravinia strongly believes that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our success and we strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment for all our employees. Ravinia does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.