Tour Guide II

City of Seattle; Rockport (WA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle City Light seeks Tour Guides for summer positions at the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project. Responsibilities include conducting boat tours, providing educational commentary, and staffing the Skagit Information Center. Ideal candidates have strong public speaking skills and an interest in environmental education.

Benefits

On-site housing available at discounted rates

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Experience as a Tour Guide (minimum one year).
• Strong interest in environmental conservation and outdoor recreation.
• Ability to learn and present technical information.

Responsibilities

• Provide safety and comfort for tour groups on Diablo Lake.
• Present interpretive information on local history and hydroelectric operations.
• Staff the Skagit Information Center and assist visitors.

Skills

Public Speaking

Teamwork

Initiative

Environmental Education

Customer Service

Education

At least 2 years of college

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

For almost 100 years, City Light has been providing public tours of the dams, powerhouses, reservoirs, and towns that comprise the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, which produces roughly 20% of City Light’s electrical power. Interestingly, the Skagit Project is a unique setting in that it is located among the jagged peaks, forested valleys, and cascading waters of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, a unit of North Cascades National Park.

The advertised positions will continue the rich tradition of Skagit Tours by providing boat tours on Diablo Lake and staffing the Skagit Information Center in the historic company town of Newhalem. Tour guide services will involve accompanying up to 45 visitors and providing interpretive/educational commentary aboard the Alice Ross IV tour boat. Staffing the Skagit Information Center will involve answering questions about City Light and the North Cascades National Park and ringing up merchandise. Tour guides will work as a team with educators from the North Cascades Institute, a nationally recognized leader in environmental education.

We are seeking to fill five (5) open positions. If you have an interest in the great outdoors and environmental education and would like to spend the summer in a national park – this would be a great fit for you!

This position will report to City Light’s Sr. Resource Planner/Recreation Lead for the Skagit Project.

• Provide for the general safety, comfort and convenience of tour groups on Diablo Lake.
• Prepare and present interpretive information to tour participants based on training and materials developed by the North Cascades Institute. Topics include Skagit River Hydroelectric Project operations and history and the natural and cultural history of the North Cascades.
• Staff Skagit Information Center; serve as a front line contact with visitors of all ages and backgrounds; orient guests to the North Cascades National Park Complex; provide information about City Light and hydroelectricity; sell merchandise and restock supplies; perform other duties as assigned.
• Assist with registration for tours, as needed.
• Promote the local region, including the North Cascades National Park Complex and neighboring communities.
• Coordinate and work collaboratively with educators from the North Cascades Institute and on tour content and on scheduling and staffing for tours and the Information Center.
• Drive a passenger van to transport tour participants from the tour parking lot to the tour dock, if needed.

Required Qualifications:

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Minimum Qualifications

One year experience as a Tour Guide.

Substitution

• Other related experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• The work occasionally requires work outdoors in bad weather, and an awareness of safety procedures in guiding tourists through trails, incline lifts, or on boats; however, most work is performed in a normal office environment.
• Required to work nights, weekends and/or holidays.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Valid driver's license.
• On-site housing may be available for rent at a deeply discounted rate if needed.

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Strong public speaking skills.
• At least 2 years of college.
• One year of experience giving public presentations, preferably in an interpretive/educational context.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and master a large amount of technical information on natural resource topics, local history, and hydroelectric operations.
• Ability to work as a strong team member and be a willing ambassador of Seattle City Light.
• Ability to efficiently deliver prepared talks and responses to public inquiries.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn, quick study.
• Open and responsive to public inquiries.
• Strong sense of initiative.
• Friendly and personable.
• Interested in natural systems, environmental conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation.
• Knowledge of North Cascades region a plus.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The full salary range for this position is $26.96 to $28.02 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.