Local Tour Guide/Trail Guide

What could be better than having your office in the great outdoors?  Whether sightseeing by bus or exploring on trail once you leave the office and have your guests on board you are in charge.  Our in house training will provide you with the tools to deliver our tours and build upon them with your own passion, interestes and experience and help fulfill our companuy purpose To create fantastic memorable experiences for visitors to the Rockies.

Guides generally work 4 scheduled days and a 5th on call day which could involve a variety of duties.  Guides should be confident group leaders and out door enthusiasts and very comfortable working independently.  Shifts often involve long hours and in high season guides should expect to work more often.

Read what our previous staff say about us...

Term

We offer full time employment from mid December through the end of October with sporadic work through November.

Pay Scale:

Based at $14 per hour, Certified Professional Interpreters through the IGA is based at $15 per hour.

Essential Requirements

• 16 Hr First Aid (40 + Wilderness preferred)
• Class 4 ALberta Drivers License (You must submit a commercial drivers abstract)
• Apprentice Guide Certificate (IGA)
• 23 years of age or older (insurance requirement)
• Attend seasonal training program (4-5 days)

Other things we are looking for

• Enthusiastic personality
• Confident and engaging public speaker
• Knowledge of the local area
• Passion for mountain life and culture
• Ability to work completely independently
• Confident leader of groups/Instructing experience
• Basic computer skills
• High level of attention to customer service
• Able to work as a team member
• Ability to entertain all kinds of guests on tour
• Safe and courteous driving habits

In General

Our reputation at Discover Banff Tours has been built through our guiding.  We expect our guides, whether behind the wheel, on trail, or in uniform to act professionally, think of safety, have fun and leave our guests with some interesting stories and information about the area.  More than anything the ability to lead and infotain (read: Entertain and provide information) with enthusiasm is what this job is about.

A Little More About the Guiding At DBT

Daily Tasks

• Call in daily to confirm tour departure(s)
• Do a daily vehicle inspection & complete report
• Maintain daily drivers log
• Plan out hotel pickups
• Communicate with supervisor and reservations agents
• Take all supplies needed to do a tour/return when done
• Perform cash out procedures accurately

Tour Delivery
 

• Ensure guests have a safe, fun and informative tour
• Adapt the tour to suit the age and interests of the guests
• Use the tour itineraries to as basic outline for tour
• Research and take courses to enhance tour knowledge
• Bring your own interests and passion to tours
• Ability to drive long distances
• Aptitude to handle longish hours
• Be punctual and adaptive to ensure your tour finishes on time

Customer Service

• Constantly anticipates guest needs
• Takes action to exceed the expectations of guests
• Understands and facilitates special needs
• Maintain a professional and fun atmosphere on tours
• Address difficult issues or redirects to reservations
• Provide local information (dining, shopping) to guests
• Upsell additional DBT activities and tours

Expect change and Adapt
 

• Adapt to all conditions including schedule, weather, road closures, etc.
• Follow protocols for mechanical failures
• React positively to change
• Contribute ideas to improve the business

Team Work
 

• Keep up to date by reading the wiki, bulletin board and memos
• Post wildlife sightings and vehicle maintenance needs
• Expect shift changes, be available outside the schedule
• Accept all different tour shifts with the same enthusiasm
• Arrive at work early and in uniform
• Takes direction from supervisors and office staff

Safety and Security
 

• Deliver safe, fun informative tours
• Think "safety" first when multi-tasking

Other Duties and Responsibilities
 

• Tidying of vehicles
• Take care of tour supplies and props
• Vehicle shuttle services, shopping trips,
• Various company/tour duties

Working Environment and Interactions
 

• Operate 24 passenger mini-buses in a safe, legal and comfortable manner
• Guide safe on trail excursions and follow leave no trace principles
• Day trip rotation of all daily tours and activities
• On and off the bus in all weather conditions
• Reports to the Operations Manager or Operations Assistant
• Key internal contacts include Supervisors, Tour Guides, Res Agents

Please contact rose@banfftours.com for Summer 2012 guiding positions.