Carowinds hiring 2,200 part-timers for 2015 season

Carowinds is gearing up early for its upcoming season with a wave of hiring for its popular theme park off I-77.

The park will take on 2,200 part-time workers for a variety of positions to staff rides, attractions and events for the 2015 season, which runs March 28 through Nov. 1.

Construction on the Fury 325

Carowinds is staffing in several departments, from admissions and guest services to rides and maintenance.

''Our goal is to put together a strong team with a gold star work ethic to deliver our guests their 'best-day-of-summer,''' said Mike Fehnel, Carowinds vice president and general manager.

Applicants must be at least 15 years old and can apply online. According to a statement from the park last week, job seekers should then visit Carowinds' employment office on Catawba Trace, just off Carowinds Boulevard, for a pre-screen interview. 

The park said as part of a $50 million multiyear investment, it's building two new rides: the Fury 325, the world's tallest and fastest ''giga coaster'' that lifts riders 325 feet up before plunging them down at an 81-degree drop at almost 100 miles per hour, and the SlingShot, which hurls two people in a capsule 295 feet into the air at almost 60 miles per hour before slinging them back to the ground.