Plover Tour Guide and Senior Deck Hand

City of Blaine, WA; Blaine (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Blaine, WA is seeking a Plover Tour Guide and Senior Deck Hand to join a City vessel crew. This role blends frontline service with hands-on maritime tasks and junior crew supervision, delivering a safe and informative passenger experience.

Training will be provided; expect about 20–40 hours weekly from May through September. You will handle ticketing, passenger mgmt, and vessel operations as part of a small, dynamic team.

Qualifications

• Previous maritime or related experience preferred but not required.
• All required training will be provided.
• Ability to deliver professional customer service in a public setting.

Responsibilities

• Follow directions of Vessel Captain and assist with boarding and passenger management.
• Operate ticketing devices and resolve booking or customer service issues.
• Provide information about the local area and safety procedures to passengers.
• Assist docking/undocking with vessel crew and perform line handling.
• Respond to emergencies in accordance with training and procedures.
• Assist as Vessel Captain in Training under supervision and support drills.

Skills

Customer service

Public-facing

Emergency response

Teamwork

Maritime ops learn

Education

Maritime experience preferred

Tools

iPads

Job description

Salary: $25.00 Hourly
Location : 1200 Yew Ave, Blaine
Job Type: Seasonal
Job Number: 202300042
Department: Public Works
Division: Ferry Operations
Opening Date: 04/28/2026
Closing Date: 5/22/2026 4:30 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: N/A

Description

The Plover Tour Guide and Senior Deck Hand performs a combination of customer service, vessel operations, deck hand duties, and junior crew supervision aboard a City vessel. This position serves as an ambassador for the City of Blaine by ensuring passengers receive a safe, informative, and positive experience. The position requires physical stamina, the ability to learn and perform maritime operational tasks, strong customer service skills, and the ability to respond appropriately to emergency situations. Training will be provided.

Essential Job Duties

1. Follow all lawful orders and directions of the Vessel Captain.
2. Check in passengers and assist with boarding, loading, unloading, and general passenger management.
3. Act as a City of Blaine ambassador by engaging positively with passengers of all ages and providing information regarding the local area and history.
4. Operate iPads and other technology necessary for ticket sales, reservations, and resolving booking or customer service issues.
5. Answer phones and provide courteous, professional customer service.
6. Assist with docking and undocking operations in coordination with the Vessel Captain and crew.
7. Perform general line handling duties including tying and untying lines, splicing lines, tying knots, and securing the vessel.
8. Respond to shipboard emergencies including, but not limited to, man overboard, fire, flooding, and anchoring, in accordance with training and established procedures.
9. Serve as Vessel Captain in Training, including steering and assisting with mooring and unmooring of the vessel under supervision.
10. Provide training, guidance, and work direction to Deck Hand in Training staff or apprentices as assigned.
11. Participate in and successfully complete required shipboard drills, including fire, flooding, man overboard, and abandon ship.
12. Perform routine vessel and engine maintenance tasks such as checking oil levels, inspecting bilges, checking fuel levels, changing filters, winding clocks, and other standard operational checks.
13. Maintain vessel cleanliness and appearance, including removing trash, washing the vessel, and polishing surfaces as required.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level of responsibility as assigned by the Vessel Captain or Operations Manager.
• Assist with general vessel upkeep and operational support as needed to ensure safe and efficient operations.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to provide professional, courteous, and effective customer service in a public-facing role.
• Ability to work effectively with adults and children in a dynamic and potentially demanding environment.
• Ability to learn maritime operations, safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and navigation fundamentals.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and work cooperatively as part of a crew.
• Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately during emergency or high-stress situations.

Education and Experience

• Previous maritime or related experience is preferred but not required.
• All required training will be provided.

Licenses, Certifications, and Testing

• Must successfully pass a United States Coast Guard drug screening.
• Subject to random and post-incident drug and alcohol testing as required by law and regulation.

Supplemental Information

Part-time, Seasonal, Non-Exempt
Approximately 20 to 40 hours per week
Required availability Thursday through Sunday, May through September. Other workdays may be possible.

The statements contained herein reflect the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or working conditions. The City reserves the right to assign additional duties consistent with operational needs.
This position is not eligible for benefits.