Guiding Opportunities with Australian Walking Tours

Australian Walking Tours is always interested in hearing from suitably experienced and qualified guides to work on our guided walking tours. At the moment we are particularly interested in hearing from guides based in either Victoria or South Australia.

Our guides are the most important members of our business. As a guide you represent the face of our company. Your interactions with our customers are crucial to the ongoing success of our business. Hence, we take great care in the appointment of our guides.

In order to work as a guide with AWT it is not sufficient to be 'paper qualified'. We prefer our guides to have had varied guiding, travel, outdoors and life experiences, as well as excellent interpersonal communications skills, proven leadership abilities and a high level of related walking skills.

At AWT we have three levels of employment:

• Head Guide

• Guide

• Trainee

Head Guide Position Description

Role Description:

In addition to the role of Guide as outlined below, the role of Head Guide is a more senior and ultimately more responsible role. Ultimate decision making responsibility in the field lies with the Head Guide who should work in consultation with other walking guides and consult where necessary with the AWT Director Field Operations. In situations where communications with AWT Director Field Operations is not possible ultimate responsibility for decision making in the field rests with the Head Guide.

Responsible to: AWT Director Field Operations

Responsibilities:
The Head Guide has the same responsibilities as Guide outlined below.
The Head Guide engaged for a tour is responsible for the safe conduct of the tour and for promptly reporting any issues encountered to the AWT Director Field Operations.
Head Guide is also responsible for the observation and monitoring of customer service satisfaction by guests on tour.
In addition to these responsibilities the Head Guide is responsible for:

• Submission of the Trip Report to AWT Head Office at the conclusion of the tour

• Ensuring walking guides carry out their responsibilities according to their role descriptions

• Ensuring all day to day procedures as outlined in checklists are performed

• Monitoring the provision of food by the accommodation provider, especially ensuring all dietary requests are met

• Staff appraisal: provide AWT Director Field Operations with a brief appraisal of each guide

• Monitoring customer service satisfaction and recording this in Trip Report

• Ongoing care and maintenance of Australian Walking Tours equipment while on tour

Guide Position Description

Role Description:

Our Guides are the public face of Australian Walking Tours. Apart from email and phone communications with AWT head office, our Guides represent the main and potentially most important interactions our guests have with our Company. As such a Guide’s role is crucial in ensuring our guests’ experiences are positive, safe, enjoyable and rewarding. Guides fulfil a multi-faceted and exciting role: leader, educator, navigator, communicator, environmental officer, public relations, driver, first aider and tour host.

Responsible to: Head Guide, AWT Director Field Operations

Responsibilities:

• Meeting and greeting guests

• Sharing driving responsibilities with other guides including head guide

• Safely navigating and leading the walking group during each day of the walking tour

• Briefing guests on environmental aspects and considerations, including minimal impact walking techniques, leave no trace principles, any potential threats to the environment (plants, wildlife) and preventative measures which will be enforced, application of phytopthora hygiene – reasons and process

• Facilitating the friendly and successful operation of the walking tour

• Learning guests’ names quickly and establishing a rapport with each guest

• Developing a sense of achievement and camaraderie within the group

• Ensuring guests are thoroughly briefed each day and evening as to the operations of the following day

• Care and maintenance of AWT equipment

• The provision of first aid commensurate with their level of qualification

• Communications with AWT head office, particularly ensuring - along with other guides and head guide – that AWT head office is promptly informed of any emergency, significant incident or evacuation that takes place during the tour

• Educating guests to the best of their ability in the historical and cultural aspects, local environmental issues and flora and fauna

• Assisting contracted and/or local chefs as requested

• Ensuring the tour runs according to schedule

• Planning the day to day operations of the tour in conjunction with other guides and head guide

Trainee

Role Description:

New guides commence paid work as a Trainee. Trainees work under the supervision of one of our Head Guides. Following a period of observation and assessment, the Director of Field Operations makes the decision as to whether to promote the Trainee to active Guide status. Two tours is usually sufficient for this decision to be made.

Responsible to: Head Guide, AWT Director Field Operations

Responsibilities:

As per Guide (above)

Pre Requisites Include:

• Current First Aid Level 2 Certificate (minimum, Wilderness or Remote Area First Aid preferred)

• Current CPR qualification

• Outdoor Recreation or Outdoor Education qualification, or BMLC certificate or equivalent experience

• Driver Accreditation Certificate

• LR, MR or HR licence

Application Process:

• Submit your application as directed below

• Include your current resume with relevant experience, qualifications and strengths - all listed in dot point form

• Include names and contact details of two current referees

Direct your application to:

Guide Training Manager

Australian Walking Tours

Suite 2, Level 3

15 Dawson St South

Ballarat VIC 3350

OR email to info@awt.travel