Interpretive Guide
Basic Job Information
Ref No.: 14-01493
Category: Recreation
Company/Department: Olympic Peninsula – Lake Quinault Lodge
Location: Quinault, Washington
Position Type: Seasonal-Full Time
Start Date / End Date: 06/11/2015 to 10/31/2015
Assignment Detail
Administrative
Seasonal Recruitment Responsibility (80/20): Property (20%)
Job Description
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. The company is recognized as the industry leader in FORTUNE magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies, ” and as one of America’s Largest Private Companies by both FORTUNE and Forbes magazines. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 255,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at www.twitter.com/aramarknews.

Our Parks and Destinations group specializes in serving consumers; recreational and entertainment needs in national and state parks, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums and other day-use cultural attractions.

The scope of our operations includes operating lodging, conference and meeting space, houseboats and other marine activities, retail merchandise shops, fine dining restaurants, and interpretive tours in some of this country’s most pristine protected lands and national parks.

We have been active partners with the National Park Service and various zoos, aquariums, and other cultural attractions for over 20 years, providing high-quality visitor services in numerous locations across the United States in over 12 states. We are considered a premier provider of professional services by clients and competition alike, committed to providing high-quality recreation, hospitality and authentic experiences to clients and visitors from all over the world.
Some of the national and state parks in which we operate include:

  • Asilomar Conference Center, California
  • Denali National Park, Alaska
  • Glacier Bay, Alaska
  • Lake Powell Resorts and Marina, Arizona
  • Zephyr Cove Resort & Marinas, Nevada
  • Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
  • Olympic Peninsula, Washington
  • Togwotee Mountain Lodge, Wyoming

Position Summary:
The Interpretive Guides of Lake Quinault Lodge will act as personal interpreters on the Olympics’ cultural, historical and natural resources while providing support to guests eager to experience the outdoor environment. In providing education and experiential opportunities, the guests’ visit will be enhanced and they will depart our property with a positive “Sense of Place which will cause them to want to return.

Essential Functions:
Interpretative Guides will lead guests on boat, coach, or walking tours.
Guides will be responsible for educating themselves on the local ecology, geology, history and culture so that they are well-prepared to provide information and answer questions about the Olympic National Park and Forest. (Books are provided and internet access)
Guides will work a 4-to-6 day schedule that will typically include tours using a 14-passenger Tour Coach or a 13-passenger Pontoon Boat. Hiking tours are generally about 2 hours long and involve about a 1-mile “walk-n-talk” hike.
Guides will fill the gas tank of the tour coach when needed (about 1/4 tank), turning in receipt according to established procedures. They will double check to be sure the boat gas tank is full above 1/4 tank prior to starting a boat tour, filling if necessary.
Guides will be in the lobby or down at the boat dock to greet guests at least 10 minutes prior to tour departure. Guide will collect signed Acknowledgement of Risk forms for the Coach tour (handed out by front desk or Guide staff). Guide should have a few blank forms and pens in case some guests did not receive them when they signed up for the tour.
Guides will give a detailed pre-trip briefing and assess each guest on their ability to participate in the activity.
Guides will conduct the activity, maintaining control and leadership, and provide valuable interpretive knowledge for the guests.
Guides will be scheduled for shifts on the Activities Desk in the lobby or “roving interpretation” when not doing tours, providing information to guests and promoting tours.
Guides may be asked to assist in Boat Rental operation for lunch breaks or if extremely busy.
Guides must be able to pass DOT physical including drug test (paid for by Company)
Guides must be capable of safely operating a 14 passenger van on local roads and highways and will be trained in the proper procedures for filling out required DOT paperwork.
Guides must be capable of safely operating a 13-passenger pontoon boat on the lake, sometimes during inclement weather.
Exchange wet for dry blankets between boat tours as needed
Know and comply with all company policies and procedures regarding safety, security, emergencies and energy
Report to work on time and in complete uniform
Other duties as assigned

Status and Scope:
Reports to Activities Manager

Qualifications:
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Can read, understand and clearly speak English.
Must possess a valid U.S. Drivers License.
Possession of valid First Aid/CPR is preferred.
Interpretative Guide should have a strong desire to excel in the recreation and tourism field and demonstrate comfort in an outdoor environment. A history of outdoor recreation experience is preferred along with some form of interpretive training.

Equipment Used:
Phone, Calculator, Photocopier, 14-passenger Tour Coach, 13-passenger Pontoon Boat

Travel Requirements: Little or No Travel (>10%)

Lifting Requirements:
MEDIUM – Lifting 30 pounds maximum.

Physical Requirements: BENDING CONSTANT
KEYING/FINGERING OCCASIONAL
HEARING CONSTANT
REACHING CONSTANT
SEEING CONSTANT
SPEAKING CONSTANT
STANDING CONSTANT
WALKING CONSTANT
LIFTING OCCASIONAL

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