Bicycle Tour Guide

Job Description

Job Description

A city is more than a place in space. A city is a story. A story constructed of millions of smaller stories, unique, connected, and all meaningful in their own way. Toronto is also a city that is made up of YOUR story. It’s a place you passionately love. It’s a place that you want visitors to love as well. At Toronto Bicycle Tours we are the friendly guides to those exploring Toronto. Whether they are first time visitors, returning guests, or even long-time residents, we seek to connect our customers to the city, and to each other. Our love of meaningful experiences links us together, and encourages our guests to lose themselves in the story of Toronto, and in doing so, add their own unique experiences to the life of this great city. A Dream Job for a Toronto loving Storyteller: As one of our Bicycle Tour Guides for the 2019 tour season, you will be an ambassador for the city. Often as the first point of real contact for new visitors from around the world, you will connect to people of all ages, in a way that is thoughtful and fun. You know how to tell stories with more than just flash and energy – you’re genuinely interested in people, and your stories create a connection, and encourage your guests to weave their own stories with yours. You will be directly responsible for the safety and enjoyment of your customers, so knowledge of safe riding practices and experience riding in Toronto is essential. You’ll lead our award winning rides, on and off the beaten path, from the most popular landmarks and tourist spots to Toronto’s hidden neighbourhoods, parks, and locales. Our guides come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all live in (and love) Toronto, enjoy the outdoors, and are comfortable leading and entertaining groups. Maybe you’re a grad student who loves to talk about urban affairs, an actor who relishes the opportunity to tell a great story, a hospitality worker who loves taking care of customers, or just an avid cyclist who believes that the best way to get to know a city is on two wheels. In a set schedule, about 30% of your time will be spent in our office coordinating and supporting our tours. As a Guest Services Agent, you will be the first point of contact for people from around the world who are looking for the best way to spend their time while in Toronto. You will field their questions about our tours and rentals, make recommendations, help them with bookings and administer our bike rentals. You will also provide support to our tour operations, helping to ensure that everything goes smoothly and that our guests have a fantastic experience. Either way, if you are driven by your love of your city, and your desire to show others why Toronto is great, then we want to talk to you! Or if you know someone who’d consider this their dream job – do them a favor and pass it along! What we’re looking for: On a practical level, we need caring, personable, and responsible guides who have: -> An ability to lead, organize, and engage groups of people of all ages and diverse backgrounds -> Experience riding a bicycle in an urban environment, and live in Toronto today -> Interest in history and current affairs, and in getting to know people from all over the world -> An ability to work in a dynamic team environment -> Experience working with the public, in sales or customer service is an asset -> Great phone & email manner. Familiarity with web applications, email & instant messaging and social media. -> Office or Administrative Experience is an asset -> Speaking languages other than English would be an asset (particularly French, Spanish, German, Russian, Mandarin & Cantonese). Working @ Toronto Bicycle Tours: Our Tour Guides get to work outside, meet interesting people from all over the world, and have a ball exploring our great city. The position is May – early October (full-time), with training (part-time) in April. This is a full-time contract (~35 hrs/week) with 70% of time spent leading tours, and 30% in the office. All work is done in a set schedule with the possibility of mornings and/or afternoons and/or evenings. Pay is a competitive hourly wage with tips (you’ll see how much after the application). How to Apply: Our online application will give you the option to apply to this role as a complete candidate – not just a resume. The application will assess your qualifications, personality traits and workplace preferences, and should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. You can get a copy of your assessment when you’re done by logging back into the application tool. We value diversity and inclusion and encourage all qualified people to apply. If we can make this easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please contact us with the “Need Help” button in the application.