Tour Guide 1

State of Montana • Whitehall, NY

2d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Must conduct the tour in a manner to meet the expectations of a wide variety of visitors on a cave tour.
• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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).

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees