There’s a Help Wanted sign hanging on the doors outside of Citi Field — but it has nothing to do with the on-field product.
The Mets are looking for applicants for a Manger of Mascot Operations position to pick up the iconic mantle of Mr. Met and Mrs. Met, the team’s beloved mascots and two of baseball’s most familiar faces, according to a job posting on LinkedIn.
But if you think the gig will just be making nice with fans around the ballpark and leading the seventh-inning stretch, you have another thing coming.
The mascot operations role for Mr. and Mrs. Met comes with 16 job responsibilities, according to the posting, including having a “high level of energy and enthusiasm, embodying the spirit of the New York Mets at all times” to administrative tasks.
The salary for the position ranges from $67,426-$89,902, and applicants will need to audition on May 15.
More than 100 aspiring mascots have already applied, and the job requires “proven experience as a mascot or in a similar role.”
But the job is just a public-facing role, as there is office work involved as well.
“Manage department budgets, ensuring all financial activities align with company standards and contribute to the overall financial health of the organization,” the listing reads.
“Conduct and attend all mascot training sessions and rehearsals, upholding the highest standards of performance and professionalism.”
The listing shows that the position is broken down into 20-24 hours of administrative work per week and between six and 24 hours of performance duties.
The job was posted Monday and has garnered significant attention since going up.
Mr. and Mrs. Met have become staples around Citi Field for some time, with Mr. Met making his MLB debut in 1964 after the team moved into its longtime home of Shea Stadium.
Mrs. Met began appearing as a live mascot in the 1970s and phased out — along with Mr. Met — in the 1980s.
Mr. Met returned in 1994, and Mrs. Met was brought back in 2013.