Tour Guide

Company Description

Boston Hidden Gems is a premier, family-run tour operator dedicated to unveiling the treasures and hidden gems off the beaten path of Boston! We specialize in offering immersive and authentic experiences that showcase the city's rich history and vibrant neighborhoods. Our tours go beyond the typical, providing an insider's perspective on the region's diverse culture, architecture, and history. We are committed to delivering exceptional and unique experiences and fostering an appreciation for Boston's character. If you love this city as much as we do, and want to show it off, this role might be right for you!

Role Description

This listing is for a permanent, part-time Tour Guide 2 (driving/all tours) located in Boston, MA. You will be responsible for conducting guided tours, communicating effectively, providing excellent customer service, sharing historical insights, and promoting our other offerings. In this role, you will primarily lead private driving, walking, and step-on bus tours, private tours, and shore excursions in Boston and its surrounding area. These tours are between three and eight hours and take place all over Boston, as well as day trips to cities such as Lexington & Concord and Salem.

Driving Required: This position requires a standard Massachusetts Class D driver's license. A CDL is not required. Our in-house vehicles are a Toyota Sienna minivan and a Ford Transit-150 passenger van. Guides must be willing and able to drive both of these vehicles, and any new non-CDL vehicles the company may purchase, rent, or lease. Practice time will be available on all vehicle classes before leading tours.

Schedule & Availability

Note that hours may vary week-to-week and will fluctuate seasonally, although we do our best to announce schedules early and work around your availability. During busy season, Tour Guide 2s will focus primarily on private tours, bus tours, and day trips, while Tour Guide 1s will focus on group tours. During the offseason, Tour Guide 2s will also lead group tours.

During busy season, Tour Guide 2s should expect 3-6 tour shifts per week, each 5-9 hours. During offseason, Tour Guide 2s should expect 1-4 tour shifts per week, each 4-8 hours.

Minimum Requirements

If you do not meet all of these, we are not able to employ you in this position, regardless of your other qualifications.

• Massachusetts-issued standard Class D Driver's License (MUST be issued by the State of MA)
• Able to pass a CORI check
• Age 18

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of in-state history on your Massachusetts-issued Driver's License
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and a friendly demeanor
• Ability to keep tour groups of up to 50 people on schedule and well-paced
• Ability to deal with all tour guests, enjoyable or difficult
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays
• Fluent in English
• Passion for Boston's history, culture, and hidden gems, and a desire to share your favorite stories
• Ability to engage and entertain diverse audiences and to make people laugh
• Willingness to drive minivans and transit/sprinter vans (monitored practice time will be provided) in the city

Bonus Points

• Preferably a Boston resident, with experience living in the city
• Knowledge of other languages is a plus. Preference for Spanish, German, Russian, French, Cantonese, and/or Mandarin
• Previous experience in guiding, hospitality, or customer service preferred but not required
• Licensed tour guide in Boston, Salem, Concord, or Cambridge
• Certified by ITMI, GBTGA, or any other Tour Guide Organization

Compensation

• Fully Trained @ $23/hr
• Training @ $18-$23/hr

Process

This is a 3-round interview process.

1. A 30-minute video call to discuss the role and your experience.
2. A 45-minute in-person interview. Usually scheduled 4–7 days later. You will be asked to prepare a 10–15 minute tour of an area of Boston (we will provide content and location directions). You will first sit down with your interviewer to discuss tour logistics and any other questions, then give your sample tour.
3. A 15-minute video call to confirm logistics and culture fit.