Expedition Leader- Alaska Focused

Lindblad Expeditions, LLC.; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daily rate: $458-475

Travel expenses paid

Job summary

Lindblad Expeditions in the United States seeks an Alaska-focused Expedition Leader to oversee guest and staff experiences on our voyages, with emphasis on Alaska operations, bear habitat awareness, and safe, engaging presentations.

Candidates must have extensive Alaska experience, leadership in the field, and ability to coordinate shipboard and shoreside activities, while living in close quarters with multinational crews.

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

SUMMARY

This position is responsible for delivering a comprehensive, thematic, and well executed guest experience by providing inspired leadership for guests and staff while upholding the guiding principles of Lindblad Expeditions for particular regions around the world based on subject matter expertise. The position manages the general duties of the Field Staff, which include leading expedition operations, onboard presentations and recaps, and social interactions with guests. The position is responsible for upholding Field Staff policies and procedures on board with the oversight of the Field Staff shoreside team.

The position should expect to work varying hours each day, based on the itinerary. The position is responsible to create and present engaging presentations and recaps, lead guests on off-ship activities, provide in-the-field interpretation, and assist with general care of Field Staff equipment and spaces. It is essential that this person have excellent social skills as they will be expected to dine with guests and work in a multinational environment and live in close quarters.

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TheAlaska focusedExpedition Leadersupports the expedition as the primary communicator, manager and coordinator of all guest and staff-related expedition activities for our voyages.For this role, we are looking for candidates with extensive expertise specifically in Alaska, and can only consider applicants who meet the following Specific Subject Matter Expertise requirements indicated below. Please do not apply if you do not meet these requirements.

SPECIFIC EXPERTISE- ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTRACT

• Must be eligible to work in the US.
• At least five years of experience in Alaska in the expedition cruise industry.
• Availability May - September 2027.
• Demonstrated experience managing a team in the field.
• Demonstrated experience running operations in bear habitat.
• Experience driving zodiacs with guests preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• The position must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Additional duties may be added at any time.
• Manage expedition staff to ensure guests receive the best possible experience based on our Guiding Principles and keen risk management.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge regarding the natural history and/or history & culture specifically relevant to the destination. Coordinate and ensure quality of presentations, recaps, and in-the-field interpretation.
• Acts as the primary communicator, manager and coordinator of all guest and staff-related expedition activities. Ensure all briefings and announcements are performed in a clear and concise manner to keep guests informed and confident in the leadership of the voyage.
• Construct daily operations sheets and collaborate with Captains to complete operational risk assessments.
• Run daily staff meetings and provide staff with duties and expectations for all excursions.
• Acts as primary liaison between the office and field, to implement the Company’s initiatives.
• Craft the best interest of the guest experience to Captain and department heads, by establishing the day-to-day schedule and timings for on board activities such as meal times or special events.
• Collaborate and meet regularly with the Captain, officers, and crew to ensure safe operations and the best possible expedition.
• Report back to the office on the status of relationships with our destinations, suppliers, partners, and about the guest’s perspective and experiences.
• Manage, sometimes challenging, guest requests and arrangements daily through excellent customer service.
• Lead or assist with operations such as hiking, small boat tours, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, snorkeling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, coach tours, cultural/culinary/historical tours or other planned activities in the voyage itinerary, as needed.
• Act as a role model for the expedition staff and consistently represent Lindblad Expeditions with integrity and professionalism.
• Communicate with staff approximately one month prior to each voyage to help them prepare and to collect information on their presentations and experience.
• Provide guidance to the Field Staff, making sure they adhere to established principles and policies and addressing issues as they arise.
• Consult with Field Staff Department shoreside about staff feedback.
• Represent Field Staff’s interests to ship’s officers and Lindblad office.
• Write daily expedition programs and on board guest communications, voyage reports, and debriefing reports.
• Communicate with Field Staff & Expedition Operations departments about challenges during expeditions and makes recommendations for solutions. Also communicate with appropriate office personnel during emergencies.
• Attend a pre-trip meeting with shoreside personnel to plan the expedition and complete a post-assignment debrief with shoreside manager (remote).
• Communicate with Field Staff and Expedition Operations departments about challenges during expeditions and make recommendations for solutions.
• Represent Lindblad Expeditions with integrity and professionalism to any visitors, authorities, press, conservation organizations, or others.
• Eat meals with guests and make an effort to dine with a variety of people over the course of each voyage.
• As able, participate in on board duties related to the guest experience, such as monitor for wildlife, clean Field Staff gear and spaces, assist guests, deliver communications to guests, create on board educational materials, assist the NAT/CPI with photo collection at the end of a voyage, assist the AEL/BCC with duties as assigned (i.e., inventory, organization), capture and submit daily expedition photos, assist with luggage movement, support at hospitality suite or other off-ship venue.
• Participate in physically demanding settings in diverse weather conditions and varying temperatures, which may include zodiac operation for several hours per day, hiking over uneven terrain for distances of three miles or more, manage snorkel activities in deep water, and lead kayaking excursions.

ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTRACT

• Significant and relevant field experience on expedition ships strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or four years of work experience in related industry.
• Previous leadership and/or management experience. Two years minimum customer service background and in-depth knowledge of the destination(s).
• Posseses excellent leadership abilities, confidence and competence, and is a strong, clear and engaging communicator to individuals and groups, who remains calm and clear under pressure.
• Can inspire a highly motivated team and delivers results. Recognizes the collective value of the team and supports that premise always.
• Can work well independently and is a self-starter, and be calm, unflappable, and adaptive to an ever-changing environment while being able to handle multiple tasks at one time with keen attention to detail.
• Possesses excellent problem-solving skills, the ability to make sound decisions quickly, and exercise good judgment.
• Full mobility of all limbs, the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, as needed. In the field, this position will participate in field excursions, including driving inflatable boats for several hours per day, hikes over uneven terrain for up to 3 miles, and kayaking up to 3 miles.
• Strong use of the English language. This person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.
• CPR & First Aid Certified (higher level of training preferred).
• Some itineraries may have additional required credentials or trainings.
• Strongly preferred - computer experience in Word, Excel, Microsoft Office.
• Strongly preferred - small boat driving experience.
• Strongly preferred - Merchant Mariner Credential of 25 tons or greater, RYA certificate, or equivalent.
• Strongly preferred - Experienced and adaptable in diverse geographic regions.

REQUIRED FOR CONTRACT

• Promotion/Sales- The position must become familiar with the company philosophy and various programs offered by National Geographic - Lindblad Expeditions. They should be able to address and field questions from guests regarding the various programs offered.
• Conservation/Sustainability- The position should become familiar with National Geographic- Lindblad Expeditions conservation and sustainability programs and be able to discuss the efforts in any itinerary where scheduled.
• Inflatable Boat Operations- The position should be prepared to assist with many aspects of inflatable boat operations for shore excursions. Familiarity with inflatable boats, such as Zodiacs, and ability to drive is a strong preference. If a US-citizen, a USCG license to drive inflatable boats is preferred.
• Safety- The position should be prepared to participate in on-board safety training, meetings and drills, including abandon ship and fire drills. Will also participate in shore-based education as required by the Company.

$458 - $475 a day

What we offer:

• Daily rate for this contract position: $458-475/day
• Travel Expenses Paid

Communication Skills

Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this position, this person is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.This person will also be required to write and type.Occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The physical demands per position are described in the Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants upon request.

COMPENSATION STATEMENT

Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for contracts and positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted daily range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT

At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.

Lindblad Expeditions is an equal-opportunity employer. Individuals seeking a contract or employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.