Visitor Guide

Architect of the Capitol•Washington, DC

31d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), the gateway to the U.S. Capitol and Congress. Our staff welcome visitors from around the world for tours of the historic rooms of the Capitol, educational programs and congressional events. Our goal is to inform, involve and inspire every visitor. This goal is supported by 200 employees across five divisions: Visitor Services, Exhibits and Education, Retail, Communications and Marketing, and Planning, Operations and Evaluation.

Requirements

Must be able to pass a drug test and background check.
Resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.
Must meet the definition of specialized experience.
Must be a citizen of the United States; or a person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship; or a person who is admitted as a refugee or granted asylum and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; or a person who owes allegiance to the United States; or a person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.
Must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) by the closing date of the job announcement.
At least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level, which includes experience: Providing specific interpretations and explanations of the significance, development, and/or importance of historical features; Answering visitors’ questions by providing an explanation and description of the background of events leading up to the historical construction and development, origin, growth or development of the site; and Ushering groups in an orderly fashion and keeping them on a specific schedule.

Nice To Haves

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System or provide proof of exemption.

Responsibilities

Provide educational and informative tours of the United States Capitol to groups of various sizes, interests, and needs. Tour groups usually include the general public and may include Congressional Members and their staff, and/or prominent visitors.
Deliver presentations on the history and artifacts in the US Capitol Building and the US Capitol Visitor Center.
Serve as one of the primary points of contact for visitors, welcoming and proactively engaging with them, responding to requests, and providing information about security guidelines, amenities, and tour processes.
Provide assistance with general directions and way-finding, reservation check-in and tour pass distribution, coat check services, large group coordination, distribution of listening devices, and theater loading and operations.
Provide assistance to visitors who require special attention, advising them appropriately according to their needs.
Walk, talk and stand for hours, up to an entire shift, including walking up and down many flights of stairs throughout the shift, including steep and narrow stairways for Capitol Dome tours.
May be assigned duties outdoors, in a variety of weather conditions, to facilitate visitors entering the buildings or to provide support for special events.
Operate various types of equipment, such as computers, coat check carousels, two-way radios, assisted listening devices, and audio visual touch screens.
Lift items which may weigh up to 20 pounds, such as stanchions and boxes.
Receive guidance from the U.S. Capitol Police regarding safety and security issues such as addressing prohibited items, directing crowds and assisting visitors in the event of an emergency.
Report any safety and security concerns to supervisors and US Capitol Police.
Work Saturdays and holidays, and may be expected to work Sundays and/or evenings in support of special events.