Docent- Sweet Breeze

Job Description:

SUMMARY

Working under the direction of the Manager – Salomon Farm, Outdoor Recreation, and Boating, the incumbent is responsible for the recreational activities while on board the canal boat Sweet Breeze. The incumbent is expected to exercise good judgement, independence, initiative, and professional expertise in conducting day-to-day operations. All activities must be performed in accordance with the City safety rules and operating regulations, policies and procedures as well as federal, state and local regulations. The incumbent is expected to exercise good judgment, independence, initiative, and professional expertise in conducting day-to-day operations. All work duties and activities must be performed in accordance with the City safety rules and operating regulations, policies and procedures as well as federal, state, and local regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the ability to interact with the public, City incumbents, and outside agencies with patience, tact, respect, and professionalism and the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Greets the public and answers questions;
• Ensures passenger comfort and safety;
• Able to learn and present educational material to the general public in a passionate, patient, and visitor-centered approach;
• Assist in the preparation of presentation materials;
• Must be able to operate audio visual equipment including, but not limited to laptops, projectors, televisions, and sound systems;
• Adapts presentations and educational information to suit specific tour requirements and/or to suit passenger interests including but not limited to history, current city development news and activities, and river-centric ecology;
• Able to recognize and address emergency situations as they arise including but not limited to passenger sickness, passenger injury, and/or uncooperative/disruptive passenger(s);
• Monitors, and preps vessel for flooding river levels as assigned;
• Assists the First Mate with the management of the entertainment and PA systems;
• Assist Captain, First Mate, and Deck Hand as needed;
• Assists with special events as needed;
• Handles cash and credit card ticketing and is responsible for monies until deposited, as assigned;
• Enforces park department rules;
• Wears work uniform, and maintains uniform in a professional manner. May be required to wear themed attire for special events or tours as assigned.
• Attends meetings with staff, crew and supervisors as required;
• Ensures the cleanliness of the boat and surrounding docking area before and after each tour which includes but is not limited to picking up litter, clearing debris in river from around boat while docked, sweeping the cabin, washing the cabin sole (floor) when needed, cleaning the head (bathroom), dusting cobwebs from inside and outside, and washing exterior appearance as needed.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The incumbent is responsible to manage their performance in accordance with this job description and the performance expectations provided to them by management. If at any time the incumbent is unsure of their role or specific responsibilities, it is the incumbent’s responsibility to refer to their job description and ask for clarification from their supervisor. Management will work with the incumbent, as needed, to ensure performance expectations are clearly communicated and performance goals are achieved.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED);
• Experience with downtown Fort Wayne’s rivers preferred.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and/or ABILITIES

• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally and enthusiastically with the public;
• Must possess the organizational and communication skills conducive to maintaining an optimum working relationship with the staff and crew.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Indiana Driver's License if City vehicle is used;
• Successful completion of Official Indiana Boating Safety Course is preferred;
• Community First Aid and Adult, Infant/Child CPR.

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.

While performing the duties of this job and due to the special circumstance of operating a canal boat, the employee is required to stand while operating Sweet Breeze, be able to crawl into small quarters such as engine rooms and holding spaces. The employee will need to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl the employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed outside weather conditions, to wet and/or humid conditions and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Work requires some contact with changing conditions, some lifting or moderate labor involved. Incumbent is normally standing, walking or lifting light objects. Incumbent may require greater than normal physical abilities such as visual or hearing activity.