Walking Tour Guide

Cornerstone Tours; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Referral program

Affiliate commission

Job summary

Cornerstone Tours, a Washington, DC-based walking tour company, seeks knowledgeable guides to lead public and private tours around Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill, Lincoln Assassination, and Georgetown. Tours last 1.5 to 3.25 hours; starting pay is $30/hr plus tips, with a runway for raises based on guest feedback and performance.

You will deliver engaging historical commentary, manage group logistics, greet guests professionally, and uphold our values of excellence, respect, and

Qualifications

• Exceptional public speaking skills.
• Strong knowledge of American history, military history, or DC history.
• Professional, punctual, and reliable — outdoor tours rain or shine.
• Ability to lead 2–3 hour outdoor walking tours on varied terrain.
• Positive, guest-first attitude with strong interpersonal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead scheduled public and private walking tours at Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill, and other sites.
• Deliver engaging, accurate, and age-appropriate historical commentary at each stop.
• Manage group logistics including pace, timing, headcounts, and guest safety.
• Greet guests professionally and handle pre-tour check-in and introductions.
• Respond to guest questions with depth, accuracy, and enthusiasm.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of tour content and DC history.
• Represent Cornerstone Tours' brand values: excellence, respect, and storytelling.
• Submit post-tour notes and flag operational issues to management.
• Participate in periodic training sessions and guide development workshops.

Skills

Public speaking

History knowledge

Guest service

Punctuality

Multilingual abilities

Job description

Cornerstone Tours is a Washington, DC-based walking tour company founded in 2026. We've dedicated to bringing history to life through immersive, expert-led experiences. Our current offerings include walking tours of Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill (Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Capitol), Lincoln Assassination, and Georgetown, with more tours on the horizon. We serve both public group tours and private clients, from individual visitors to corporate and school groups. We're building a team of passionate, knowledgeable guides who take pride in storytelling, professionalism, and creating memorable moments for every guest.

Compensation

We start our guides at $30/hr + tips, and tours range from 1.5 to 3.25hrs. There's a runway for hourly raises with clear objective metrics in place to achieve these hourly increases. If you show your loyalty and dedication to company growth, particularly through positive guest feedback, we will show our commitment to keeping you on board!

Benefits

• Flexible schedule
• Referral program
• Affiliate commission

Responsibilities

• Lead scheduled public and private walking tours at Arlington National Cemetery and Capitol Hill and other sites
• Deliver engaging, accurate, and age-appropriate historical commentary at each tour stop
• Manage group logistics including pace, timing, headcounts, and guest safety
• Greet guests professionally and handle pre-tour check-in and introductions
• Respond to guest questions with depth, accuracy, and enthusiasm
• Maintain thorough, up-to-date knowledge of tour content and DC history
• Represent Cornerstone Tours' brand values: excellence, respect, and storytelling
• Submit post-tour notes and flag any operational issues to management
• Participate in periodic training sessions and guide development workshops

Qualifications

• Exceptional public speaking skills and comfort leading groups of 2–25 people
• Strong knowledge of American history, military history, or Washington, D.C. history
• Professional, punctual, and reliable — outdoor tours run rain or shine
• Physical ability to lead 2–3 hour outdoor walking tours, including on uneven terrain
• Positive, guest-first attitude with strong interpersonal communication skills

Preferred

• Prior experience as a tour guide, educator, docent, or public speaker
• (Some of we’d best guides had NO prior experience, don't let this deter you!)
• Background in history, journalism, political science, military service, or a related field
• Familiarity with Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill, or DC in general
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities
• CPR/First Aid certification

Schedule & Employment

Guides set their availability and we build the schedule around them. Whether you can commit to two tours a week or ten, we work with what works for you. This role begins as an independent contractor position. Tours run in the morning and afternoon, typically 2–3 hours per tour. At least 1 weekend day availability is required. For guides who excel and wish to work exclusively with Cornerstone Tours, a W-2 part-time path is available with the potential to grow into a full-time role — we’re invested in building long-term relationships with guides who are invested in us.