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Travel Counselor I
Performs routine travel coordination and information services in a travel information center. Work involves extensive
contact with the public, providing state-wide travel and navigation information to travelers, and performing operational activities within a travel information center. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Travel Information Centers are open 360 days per year; this position requires non-standard work hours, including weekends and holidays.

Travel Counselor II
Performs complex (journey-level) travel coordination and information services in a travel information center. Work involves extensive contact with the public, providing state-wide travel and navigation information to travelers, and performing operational activities within a travel information center. May train others. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Travel Information Centers are open 360 days per year; this position requires non-standard work hours, including weekends and holidays. 

Essential Duties:

Travel Counselor I
   May assist in making presentations to community and touring groups; and at various events, speaking engagements, and community schools to stimulate interest in travel information center services and to promote Texas travel.
   May assist in emergency situations including visitor injuries, unusual travel information center events, and providing 24- hour relief efforts during natural disasters.
   Assists in conducting Travel information center building and ground inspections, reports issues to the supervisor.
   Employs safety and security measures in the travel information centers and activities.
   Provides state-wide travel coordination and information services by advising travelers of events and attractions in local communities and across the state.
   Maintains records, compiles statistical data, and prepares reports on travel information center activities, such as the number of visitors.
   Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Travel Counselor II
   May train other employees.
   Assist in making presentations to community and touring groups, at various events, speaking engagements, and community schools to stimulate interest in travel information center services and to promote Texas travel.
   Assists in emergency situations including visitor injuries, unusual travel information center events, and providing 24-hour relief efforts during natural disasters.
   Assists in coordinating projects, and promotional activities and events with other state agencies and private entities.
   Assists in travel information center operational activities such as preparing expense accounts, reviewing billing statements, and monitoring and managing travel information center inventory.
   Conducts travel information center building and grounds inspections, reports issues to the supervisor.
   Maintains records, compiles statistical data, and prepares reports on travel information center activities, such as the number of visitors.
   Employs safety and security measures in the travel information centers and activities 
   Provides state-wide travel coordination and information services by advising travelers of events and attractions in local communities and across the state.
   Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Travel Counselor I -
Education: High School Grad or Equivalent in general high school studies.  College education and/or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications.

Experience: 1 year customer service, event coordination, travel consulting, tourism work, or related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent)

Travel Info Counselor II -
Education: High School Grad or Equivalent in general high school studies.  College education and/or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year-per-year basis Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications.

Experience: 3 years customer service, event coordination, travel consulting, tourism work, or related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent)
 

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Must successfully complete all phases and evaluations of the departmental Travel Counselor training program and be designated a Texas Certified Professional Travel Counselor within two (2) years of hire or becoming a Travel Counselor II.

Preferred Qualifications:
    
Competencies:

Travel Counselor I

Some knowledge of
   Office practices and administrative procedures
   Travel and tourism information services
   Texas geography, history and cultures
   Texas attractions, travel and tourism
Some skill in
   Accurately assessing potential emergency situations
   Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files and reports
   Using computers and applicable programs, applications and systems
   Conducting inventory activities
   Maintaining a safe working environment
Ability to
   Safely address emergency situations
   Communicate effectively
   Read and interpret maps
   Stand for long periods of time
   Prepare reports

Travel Counselor II

Considerable knowledge of
   Office practices and administrative procedures
   Statistical compilation practices and techniques
   Travel and tourism information services
   Texas geography, history and cultures
   Texas attractions, travel and tourism
   Inventory/stock control procedures
Proficient skill in
   Accurately assessing potential emergency situations
   Providing prompt and courteous customer service; advising customers when delays are necessary and following up on identified problems until resolved
   Maintaining effective working relationships with others
   Dealing courteously and effectively with the public
   Coordinating and scheduling activities/resources
   Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files and reports
   Developing and giving presentations
   Using computers and applicable programs, applications and systems
   Conducting inventory activities
   Maintaining a safe working environment
Ability to
   Safely address emergency situations
   Communicate effectively
   Read and interpret maps
   Stand for long periods of time
   Prepare reports

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

   Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
   Subject to noise
   Subject to vibration
   Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
   Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs
   Standing-prolonged periods of time
   Lifting-raising objects from lower to higher position/horizontally to a different position
   Fingering-picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers rather than whole hand
   Grasping-applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm
   Talking expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
   Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
   Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
   Visual Acuity-determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures  

Conditions of Employment:
Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical. 
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation - 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) - does not authorize "medical marijuana" under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.