Boat Tour Guide

Lake Junaluska Assembly Inc; Lake Junaluska (NC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Lake Junaluska Assembly Inc. seeks a friendly Boat Tour Guide to greet visitors, operate the Cherokee IV, and share engaging lake history during guided tours.

You will ensure guest safety, handle ticketing and reservations, and collaborate with the Outfitters, Recreation and Services teams to deliver memorable experiences for families, tourists and private groups. Tours run Thursday–Sunday 3:00 pm–7:30 pm; a flexible schedule is required.

Qualifications

• Requires Boater Education Card issued by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred.
• Must be 18+ with a valid Driver’s License.
• Hospitality and public speaking experience strongly desired.
• Ability to maintain composure while managing passenger safety and expectations.

Responsibilities

• Operate and navigate the Cherokee IV safely, following protocols for passenger safety.
• Conduct guided boat tours with engaging narration.
• Ensure passengers feel welcome, comfortable, and safe throughout the tour.
• Adapt approach for various audiences, from casual visitors to private groups.
• Answer guests' questions about lake history and tour services.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure tours operate smoothly and on schedule.
• Assist guests with ticketing and reservations processes.
• Provide support to Outfitters and Recreation Department for inquiries and daily ops as needed.
• Support Services and Media Department for events as needed.

Skills

Boater Education Card

CPR/First Aid

Hospitality

Public speaking

18+

Customer service

Education

High School

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Lake Junaluska Assembly Inc - Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
Position Type: Seasonal
Education Level: High School
Travel Percentage: Up to 10%
Job Shift: Variable
Job Category: Hospitality - Hotel

Mission Statement

The mission of Lake Junaluska is to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body.

Position Summary

Join our team and become the friendly face and knowledgeable voice guiding visitors on boat tours aboard the historic Cherokee IV. As a Boat Tour Guide, you will have the opportunity to showcase the beautiful waterfront of Lake Junaluska, share engaging historical tidbits, and provide a memorable experience for families, tourists, and private event groups.

Essential Functions

• Operate and navigate the Cherokee IV safely, following established protocols and regulations for passenger safety.
• Conduct guided boat tours, following a script that shares lake history and insights in an engaging and informative manner.
• Ensure passengers feel welcome, comfortable, and safe throughout the tour.
• Adapt your approach to suit various audiences, from casual visitors to private cruise participants.
• Answer guests' questions about Lake Junaluska’s history, scenic surroundings, and boat tour services.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure boat tours operate smoothly and on schedule.
• Assist guests with ticketing processes, including helping them purchase tickets and manage reservations.
• Provide support at the Lake Junaluska Outfitters and Recreation Department, assisting with customer inquiries, reservations, and daily operations as needed.
• Provide support for the Lake Junaluska Services and Media Department, assisting with event set-up and break-down as needed.
• Must possess excellent hospitality skills and a strong desire to foster an attitude of Christian hospitality to “exceed guest expectations”.
• Comply with all safety policies, practices and procedures and report any unsafe activities or conditions immediately to supervisor or the Human Resources department.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Required Boater Education Card issued by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, with completion of NASBLA-approved boating safety course. Reimbursement is available.
• Preferred CPR/First Aid Certification.
• Required Minimum age of 18 with a valid Driver’s License.
• Hospitality and public speaking experience are strongly desired.
• Demonstrated experience in maintaining composure and professionalism while managing passenger safety and expectations.
• Ability to engage and inform guests with clear, enthusiastic, and entertaining narration.
• Must be able to communicate with Director of Event Operations and Recreation Manager through a variety of communication methods, i.e. Email, text, phone, and radio.
• Must be flexible and able to adapt to changing needs, multiple task demands, and work structures.
• Ability to effectively present job related information upon request to customers, clients, and employees of the organization.
• Ability to solve practical problems and handle a variety of customer, clients and employee questions.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule.

Working Conditions

• Moderate to heavy physical activity performing strenuous and non-strenuous activities with moderate to loud noise.
• Primarily working outdoors exposed to elements such as heat, sun, cold, snow, rain and wind.
• Ability to coordinate work, continuously moves about, able to stand for prolonged periods of time, walk, sit, manual dexterity to handle or feel.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, talk to and hear staff and customer requests, and also lifts or otherwise move objects weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Must have adequate vision to carry out daily activities. Good peripheral vision is necessary.
• Work schedule; Boat Tours run Thursday – Sunday, from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

Lake Junaluska is an Equal Opportunity Employer