Tour Operator Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Title: Tram Tour Guide

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Visitor Experience

Reports to: Coordinator, Visitor Services

Seasonal Part-time, anticipated to begin in April for approximately 7 months

Seasonal Part-time employees scheduled to work 29 or less hours per week are eligible for the following Benefits:

• Wellness initiative benefit, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Retirement plan
• Holiday Thank you pay
• Garden membership - free to employees at Household Plus level
• Discounts to Garden Shop, Cafe, Garden-sponsored educational classes
• Employee events

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate’s qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate’s salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual’s contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview: As an ambassador of the Chicago Botanic Garden and its mission, the tram tour guide will be friendly with an outgoing demeanor and exceptional communications and customer relations skills. The tram tour guide narrates a scripted tour for adults and children while driving a 48-passenger open air tram or walking on designated routes throughout the Garden. As needed, the tram tour guide assists other areas of the Visitor Services department such as helping with Garden events and exhibitions through a welcoming greeting, ticket sales, and line management. Creating a positive and memorable experience for Garden visitors is a priority while following the Garden's values and behaviors.

This position requires an average of three days per week, including one weekend day and some holidays/evenings. Hours scheduled may differ throughout the year.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• As both tram driver and tour guide, you will be trained to safely transport Garden visitors, staff, and volunteers along predetermined routes while simultaneously providing engaging, scripted 35-minute tours.
• Occasionally transport visitors, staff, and volunteers in a variety of vehicles (e.g. vans, club cars) throughout the Garden.
• Demonstrate both a high standard of safety for visitors and a strict adherence to the Chicago Horticultural Society's rules and regulations.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the vehicles and monitor operating conditions.
• Provide support for Garden attractions, exhibitions, and events including ticket sales, bar code scanning, and line management.
• Remain knowledgeable of Garden current events, garden displays, and exhibitions, and proactively communicate these to visitors.
• Customer service oriented, able to work independently and willing to work as a part of a team.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor while on-site or in uniform.
• Work outdoors in all varieties of weather conditions and temperatures.
• Assist the Visitor Experience manager and coordinator in other areas as requested.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Minimum age requirement of 18 years old.
• Possession of a valid Illinois driver's license, driving record with no violations and insurable by the Chicago Horticultural Society is required; must be safety oriented.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Articulate, with a strong command of the English language. Bilingual Spanish is a plus.
• At least one year of experience in the service and/or tour industry as a public speaker with a talent for engaging an audience of adults and children or equivalent.
• Knowledge of and interest in horticulture is preferred.
• Available days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Demands:

Frequent driving of tram, standing, sitting, walking, bending, lifting, listening, keyboarding, and speaking, and hearing, for long periods of time. Requirements for lifting, pushing, and pulling items up to 50 pounds. Exposure to the outdoor environment and to varied weather conditions.

Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.