Expedition Leader

Summary:

The Expedition Leader plays a vital role aboard Alaskan Dream Cruises vessels. This position is both an expedition leader and a cruise director, who works closely with the captain and hotel manager to ensure success, safety and unsurpassed guest services on every voyage. The Expedition Leader acts as the public face of the company and communicates efforts to headquarters in Sitka, along with the captain.

The Expedition Leader ideally is a local Alaskan, or an individual who has spent extensive time in Southeast Alaska.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Lead and manage according to the Core Values of True Alaskan Hospitality as defined in our Mission Statement: “Immerse each guest in personable and unsurpassed level of service we call True Alaskan Hospitality”.

• Frequent public announcements informing guests of where they are along the route and noting points of interest along the way (lighthouses, historical sites, etc.).
• Maintain cruise schedule along with the captain.
• Coordinate with shore-based vendors to ensure port calls are seamless and well planned.
• Present information during run times and formal presentations of educational programs (often after dinner). Topics of focus should include Alaska Native culture, local history, local industry including fishing, timber, etc., and company history.
• Oversee and schedule educational presentations and other activities onboard.
• Work closely with the captain to coordinate various types of active exploration off vessel, including kayaking, hikes, and DIB excursions.
• Communicate with the Captain, Hotel Manager and the hospitality crew to keep everything on schedule.
• Actively monitor guest response to programming and activities and create plans to improve guest service.
• Administrative duties include supervision of the public bulletin board, distribution of turndown letters, travel logs, and tracking the travel schedule.
• Report back to Director of Guest Experience for support and direction.
• Understand and respect the many political and environmental points of view that guests hold.
• Ensure that material presented does not marginalize any traveler.
• Assist other ship departments when possible, or as assigned by the Captain or management.
• Follows prescribed hours set forth by the vessel’s daily roster.
• Holds a position on the Vessel’s Emergency Station Bill.
• Maintain awareness of basic safety rules, workplace safety and respect for the environment.
• Commit to understanding terrain and vessel itinerary.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS or higher degree or equivalent experience dealing with natural resources, marine biology, environmental education (or policy), botany, forestry, environmental geography, anthropology, history, or other related field of study preferred
• Excellent communication and writing skills with the ability to provide explanation of very complex or technical matters to people with little or no background in the area under discussion
• First Aid/CPR

• Proficiency in MS Office with expertise in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel and use of PA system.
• Ability to interpret and follow rules, policy and procedures.
• Ability to maintain composure with courteous and professional demeanor.
• Must have ability to interface and maintain effective relationships with all departments and employees in a highly diverse environment and able to execute operational imperatives in a swift and demanding environment.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and able to effectively interact with guests.
• Must pass a security background check and DOT drug test.

Desired Qualifications:

• Proven team player and have a Can-Do attitude.
• Cruise Industry experience.
• First Aid and CPR Certification.

Traits and Characteristics:

• Strong commitment to safety.
• A genuine desire to serve the public.
• Positive, personable and professional demeanor.
• Adaptive to learning new skills and knowledge.
• Adaptive to changes in a progressive work environment.
• Strong record of being organized, dependable and punctual.
• Strong conflict resolution skills and ability to work within a diverse workforce.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Crew stays in shared quarters onboard with little privacy and relatively constant vibration and engine noise often for long periods of time. This is a fast-paced and dynamic work environment with a diverse workforce. Crew may be moved from one vessel to another at the discretion of Management. Due to remote locations of vessel routes, internet connectivity is limited. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel to the vessels in Alaska and extended stay up to 5 months on board is required. Must be physically able to work a typical workday of about 10-14 hours per day, seven days a week. Environmental conditions generally include ambient inside temperature, ambient inside lighting, ambient to loud noise levels, all weather conditions, occasional use of required protective clothing including raingear and life preserver. Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Ability to walk on uneven deck surfaces crossing from vessel to vessel. Physically able to climb a 7-foot vertical ladder and fit through a 28-inch escape hatch.