Front Desk Agent

Canadian Hostelling Association; Calgary; On-site; CAD 2,066,000 - 2,755,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free coffee and tea

Free meal during social events

Free HI Membership

Free stay at HI properties

40% off meals at HI properties

Discounted tours

Free FAM trips

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Job summary

HI Calgary is seeking a friendly Front Desk Agent to welcome travelers, check guests in and out, and provide detailed information about hostel amenities and local attractions.

You will handle reservations via email, phone, and online systems, while maintaining accurate guest records and ensuring the front desk stays tidy. A positive, guest-focused attitude and basic PMS experience are preferred for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Previous front desk experience in a hostel is preferred.
• Ability to provide information about local attractions and transportation options.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests on arrival and manage check-in/check-out.
• Provide information about hostel amenities and local attractions.
• Handle inquiries and requests professionally and promptly.
• Manage bookings via online systems, emails and phone calls.
• Maintain accurate guest records and keep front desk stocked and tidy.
• Create an inclusive, friendly atmosphere for guests.

Skills

Front desk experience

Quick learner

Tools

Property Management System

Job description

This is more than just a job, we offer an experience and memories that will last a lifetime! We have a relaxed working environment within a close-knit group, who value diversity, inclusion, teamwork, and positive communication.

The vibe of our urban hostel in the amazing city centre of Calgary is close to restaurants, museums, nightlife, shopping, festivals and riverside bike and walking paths. It’s a short drive to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Waterton National Park or world class skiing in Banff and Lake Louise. Calgary has something for everyone.

Stay connected to the backpacking community and share all your favourite local spots with like-minded travellers . Working at HI Calgary offers a fun and friendly opportunity.

What's in it for you

• A laid back, casual work environment that is a lot less stuffy than working in a hotel
• Have fun with a tight-knit group of colleagues on shift and in your free time
• Free coffee and tea all day
• Free meal during guests’ social events
• Free HI Membership
• Free stay at other HI properties
• 50% off for Family and Friends at our regional HI properties
• 40% off meals at our regional HI properties
• Discounted tours
• Free FAM trips
• Employee & Family Assistance Program.
• Room for growth - Many of our leaders started out on the front lines, and we’re eager to promote from within and provide opportunities to try out different roles.

What you will be doing as a Front Desk Agent

• Greet guests upon arrival and handle check-in/check-out processes efficiently.
• Provide detailed information about hostel amenities, local attractions, and transportation options.
• Address guest inquiries, complaints, and requests professionally and promptly.
• Handle room bookings via online reservation systems, emails, and phone calls.
• Maintain accurate guest records and registration details.
• Ensure the front desk area remains tidy and well-stocked with brochures and supplies.
• Assist in creating a friendly, inclusive atmosphere for all guests.
• Handle emergencies calmly and efficiently, contacting the necessary authorities if required

Front Desk Agents are the face of HI, welcoming our travelers from all over the world and providing excellent customer service. Ensuring that our guests experience a pleasant stay is the most important part of this role. You are the local expert;you'llinform our guests about local activities and share your insider tips on the surrounding area.

What we look for

• Ideally, you’ll have some prior Front Desk experience in a hostel environment. We’ll train you up on our Property Management system, but some PMS experience will be a key asset to get you through the door.
• You’ll need to be a quick learner and bring your willingness to learn more – you will become an expert on all things to do with the hostel, and the town, as guests will turn to you for answers on everything.
• You’ll also need to bring your positive energy and humour to work every day. Forget about best employee of the month, we reward the most FUN employee!
• And finally, you’ll have to be able to handle stressful times with a smile and quickly come up with the best solution for any given problem (don’t worry, a supervisor should always be nearby and willing to help).

Join our community

If everything you read above got you excited, you'll be a great fit for our team. Whether you're on a working holiday and this will be a short stop on a longer trip, or you're looking to stay connected to the hostel lifestyle by working among travellers, this is the kind of place for you.

Our team is made up of people from all over the world who are bound by our shared desire to discover new places. Whether this is just a short stop on your backpacking journey, or you are looking to join a community of folks committed to travel, there is a spot for you at HI where you can belong.

As part of our standard hiring procedure, successful candidates will be subject to comprehensive background checks. These checks may include employment verification, reference checks, educational qualifications verification, and criminal record checks where applicable.

About HI

We love travelling . To us, travel isn’t just about going places, it’s also about meeting people, discovering cultures, eating new food and most of all, learning how people do things differently than we do back home.

We believe that through hostelling , we become more conscious about the world around us; and we can even make the world a better place. Our mission is to build a community of conscious travellers who share a greater understanding of people, places and cultures through our network of hostels and people.