Tour Guide 1

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement:

The State Application is required for this position application. This position is open until filled. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be releases to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation.

Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.

The Parks Division is responsible for the functions necessary to achieve the state park's program goal of managing Montana's scenic, natural, historic, archaeologic, scientific, and recreational resources to meet present and future needs. This work unit is responsible for the support of State Park operations.

Specific Job Information:

These seasonal variable positions run from 3-5 months and are responsible for leading groups of up to 30 visitors on the two-mile, two-hour cave tour and one mile, 1 ½ hour cave tour. While conducting tours the guide conveys to visitors the natural, historic, and cultural features of the cave and park. Guides are also responsible for the safety and comfort of visitors. Guides provide information and direction to visitors on a regular basis and perform routine maintenance tasks when necessary.

Interpretive and Guest Services

• Conducts up to three guided tours of the cave daily with up to 30 visitors per tour. Interprets geological and historical aspects of the cave in an entertaining and informative manner. Monitors tour groups to ensure visitor safety and that cave resources are protected. Uses effective communications skills and practices quality customer service principles regularly.

• Conduct tour in a specific time frame covering historical and geological information on the cave. Follow Park procedures in handling any incidents in the cave in a professional manner. Ensure that visitors are aware of the nature of the cave tour and are aware of proper dress and cave safety. Notify supervisors of any known problems or incidents in the park. Must conduct the tour in a manner to meet the expectations of a wide variety of visitors on a cave tour.

• Staffs the visitor center information desk; answers personal inquiries from the public and explains and interprets rules and regulations for the public regarding the park and Department programs. Disseminates information on fishing access sites, wildlife management areas, historical sites, and other state parks or tourist attractions in the area. When working in this position the incumbent must gain a working knowledge of Parks, Department policies, and a good understanding of the area's tourist attractions.

• Must organize tasks efficiently, establish positive working relationships with co-workers and management, work well with the public, and be able to communicate effectively. Must be able to effectively deal with angry or verbally abusive individuals who are dissatisfied with FWP policies and actions. And needs to show the ability to use tact, courtesy, poise, alertness, and good judgment in public contacts as well as emergency situations.

• Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions. Must be willing and able to obtain a working knowledge of the park and the region, including site location and available recreational opportunities for public recreational sites within 2 hours of the site. These include wildlife management areas, fishing access sites, state parks, forest lands, and major waterways.

• May provide support for staffing the two park visitor centers and/or cave tour ticket booth, answer inquiries from park guests, do light janitorial duties, and potentially other duties given extraneous circumstances.

Teamwork

This competency describes a person's ability to work with others, collectively pursuing a common goal regardless of personal preferences. It is the ability to cooperate with all team members, valuing each one's insight and skills. Demonstration of this competency is seen in the following:

• Works effectively with individuals and groups; pursues universal solutions.

• Collaborates with others to understand and meet the public's needs.

• Shares workload with other team members; goes the extra step to insure successful completion of work unit goals.

• Constructively resolves disagreements by negotiating mutual, acceptable solutions.

• Accepts and provides constructive feedback in working relationships.

Public Service

This competency delineates a person's willingness to serve the public, to acknowledge that the citizens of Montana are our customers in addition to protecting the State's resources. This encompasses a person's attitude towards the public and the way that they treat the public in their daily professional life. Demonstration of this competency is seen in the following:

• Demonstrates commitment to serving the public interest.

• Recognizes the public's concerns as meaningful and valuable.

• Responds positively and constructively to issues voiced by the public.

• Makes decisions that benefit the public even if the decision is unpopular.

• Puts the public's needs ahead of personal interests.

People Skills

This competency illuminates a person's ability to get along with others in a productive and positive manner. It encompasses a person's ability to demonstrate awareness for other’s feelings and concerns, and their capability of building stable, helpful work relationships. Demonstration of this competency is seen in the following:

• Maintains positive working relationships with coworkers, the public, and other agencies.

• Gains cooperation from others when appropriate.

• Demonstrates trustworthiness in professional relationships.

• Treats people with respect, courtesy, and fairness.

• Maintains focus, emotional control, and maturity in work-related situation.

Continual Improvement

This competency describes a person's willingness to actively pursue opportunities for betterment in their professional knowledge and experience. It gets at their desire to see change and growth not only in themselves, but in the work processes they contribute to. Demonstration of this competency is seen in the following:

• Identifies current opportunities for development and acts to take advantage of them.

• Shows interest in one's professional development and capitalizes upon opportunities.

• Takes initiative to continuously improve professional knowledge and skills.

• Recognizes inefficient/ineffective processes and offers/promotes alternative solutions.

• Demonstrates a willingness to learn and try things new ways.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to three years of high school with some work or club experience featuring public/customer service and interest/experience in one of the following fields of study: park or natural resources management, communications, education, public speaking, interpretation, tourism, history, psychology, sociology, archaeology, paleontology, fish and wildlife management, and geology. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.