What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tour Guide position at Great Lakes Shore Excursions?
Job Overview
Do you love Chicago and love talking about it? Do people think you’ve had three cups of coffee already, when you haven’t even had your first sip of the day? Do you get buzzed at the prospect of showcasing your city to dozens of cruise guests? If you answered YES to these questions and have a passion for history, culture, food, and architecture, then we want to talk with you about joining our team.
Great Lakes Shore Excursions, which provides memorable Chicago excursions to guests cruising the Great Lakes, is seeking passionate, fun, and highly energetic people to work as Tour Guides. Positions are part-time. Applicants must possess strong leadership abilities, charisma, a wonderful sense of humor, excellent communication skills and a deep passion for Chicago.
Job Responsibilities
- Lead tours in a timely, witty and engaging fashion.
- Master several different tour routes, including all script information.
- Liaise with vendor partners (restaurants, museums, etc.) before and after tours as needed.
- Troubleshoot challenges as they arise throughout a given experience.
- Liaise with our in-house operations staff to ensure smooth tour experiences.
- Collaborate with other team members to constantly fine tune and improve tour experiences.
- Ensure tour guests have a high quality, satisfying experience.
Job Qualifications/Requirements
- Our ideal Tour Guide candidate will have experience performing or presenting for large groups.
- Must have a very high-energy level – you are performing your job!
- Ability to communicate and connect quickly with customers so that they feel they are part of something special.
- An ability to improvise and make people feel at ease immediately.
- Enjoy working in a flexible environment with little to no direct supervision.
- Strong knowledge of the city’s dining scene, tourist attractions, and how to navigate the city by foot, bus and car.
- Must have an ability to memorize lengthy script while also being able to adapt said script to the needs of each tour.
- Must be able to be on your feet and walking constantly for 2 – 3 hours straight in various weather elements (sun, heat, cold, rain, snow)
- Previous tour guide experience is preferred, but by no means required.
- All Tour Guides will be required to enter a confidentiality/non-compete agreement prior to employment.
Compensation
We pay a $35 hourly wage, plus tour guides may earn tips from tour guests as well.
Please know that this is a seasonal position focused mainly on a handful of ship dates, with a possibility of staying on year-round to conduct limited tours in our off-season, and with our local city tour offerings.
TO APPLY
Send us your resume and a cover letter explaining why you'd make the perfect tour guide at Great Lakes Shore Excursions
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $35.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
Application Question(s):
- Provide a creative explanation of why you’d make the perfect tour guide at Great Lakes Shore Excursions
Work Location: In person
Salary : $35