Fancy a job at Hogwarts? Universal recruiting for Wizarding World

Universal Orlando has begun the recruitment process for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is set to open in spring 2010.

The decision to begin recruiting suggests that Universal is on track to open the Wizarding World at the Islands of Adventure theme park in its original spring timeframe. This should mean an opening prior to the key Memorial Day weekend at the end of May, although there are indications that the area may be open by April.

Jobs are available in food, merchandising and - most enticingly - attraction operations in the Potter-themed area. Roles include attraction operators, food vendors, cooks, dishwashers, cashiers, restaurant greeters and team captains.

There are likely to be a significant number of service roles to fill, given the scale of the retail and dining operations in the Wizarding World. Although only one new attraction - Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - will be part of the new area (with the rest being re-themed existing attractions), at least six shops and two restaurants will also open. These are themed around shops featured in the Harry Potter books and films, and are likely to see staff wearing costumes to fit the theme.

Shops will include Zonko's (a joke and trick shop selling items such as Extendable Ears and Sneakoscopes), Ollivanders wand shop (an interactive experience where "the wand chooses the wizard"), Honeydukes (a sweet shop selling Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans), Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods (selling magical creatures merchandise) and Dervish and Banges (a magical instrument and clothing shop). Also featured will be the Owl Post, which will send letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark and sell official Potter stamps.

Restaurants include the the Hog's Head Pub (serving traditional British fare) and The Three Broomsticks. Potter-themed menu items will include the famous Butterbeer drink.

Full details of the roles available at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and an application form, can be found on Universal Orlando's jobs website.

You can keep up to date with the latest confirmed and rumored opening dates for new attractions through Theme Park Tourist's "New Attraction Watch" section, and by signing up for our weekly newsletter using the box on the right of this page.