Job Description

Tour Guide / Interpreter

Jekyll Island is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and humankind through conservation, education, and preservation. Surrounded by salt marshes, expansive oceanfront, and ancient maritime forests, it is situated within the chain of the Golden Isles and just a few miles from St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick. As a State Park, Jekyll Island is a coastal haven where nature and humans peacefully co-exist.

Job Summary: The Tour Guide/Interpreter provides engaging and informative experiences for school groups, motorcoach visitors, and the public. Under general supervision, this position conducts guided trolley tours and interpretive programs that share Jekyll Island's history and culture. Responsibilities include operating and driving trolleys and other vehicles as part of the tour experience; safeguarding museum properties and collections; and providing courteous, accurate information to guests. The role assists with special events and venue rentals, supports research and curatorial projects, and contributes to developing new programs as assigned. Work involves accessing multiple floors of historic buildings, performing duties both indoors and outdoors, and maintaining a professional and welcoming presence throughout the historic district. Regular evening, weekend, and holiday availability is required to support operational needs.

Responsibilities:

• Provides a variety of interpretive experiences that communicate Jekyll Island's history and culture to diverse audiences.
• Conducts tours of the Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District and other historic sites on Jekyll Island, delivering quality educational experiences for school groups, motorcoach groups, and the general public.
• Operates and drives motorized vehicles as assigned, including golf carts, motorcars, and gas or electric trolleys, as an integral part of the tour experience.
• Provides security for museum properties and collections, staffs special events and venue rentals, and ensures guest safety. This requires accessing and navigating multiple floors of historic buildings and surrounding grounds.
• Performs daily inspections of museum equipment, vehicles, and buildings and performs light custodial duties to maintain safety and functionality.
• Participates in regular staff development training sessions.
• Maintains cooperative and professional relationships with colleagues, volunteers, and guests to foster a positive work environment.
• Assists with general clerical duties in a professional manner, including answering phones, distributing messages, copying, laminating, faxing, mail distribution, and creating correspondence as directed.
• Conducts research and assists with projects that contribute to museum programs, exhibits, or educational initiatives as assigned.
• Participates in and contributes to maintaining lines of communication between Museum Operations and the Curatorial staff, supporting accurate interpretation of Jekyll Island's past.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Interpreter I):

• Must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver's license.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Minimum of 1–2 years of relevant experience, which may include a combination of education and practical experience in customer service, public speaking, teaching, or related fields.
• Skilled and effective communicator and presenter with a commitment to learning and education.
• Positive, adaptable, and professional demeanor conducive to public engagement.
• Self-motivated; able to work independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Must have flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Regular attendance and punctuality for scheduled work shifts is required.

Preferred Qualifications (Interpreter I):

• Bachelor's degree or advanced studies in history, public history, museum studies, or a related field.

Interpreter II Qualifications:

• Meet all minimum qualifications for Interpreter I.
• Hold a bachelor's degree or higher in history, public history, museum studies or related field.
• Certified as an Interpretive Guide (CIG) by the National Association for Interpretation.

Licenses / Background Checks:

• Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a criminal background check.
• Motor vehicle record (MVR) checks are required for positions that involve operating state or personal vehicles while on duty.
• A valid driver's license is required for tasks that involve travel between JIA-operated locations while on duty, whether using a state-issued or personal vehicle. All drivers must comply with Georgia state laws.

Physical Requirements:

• Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects such as museum equipment, trolley components, or other materials.
• More than 50% of the workday may be spent walking, standing, or sitting while conducting tours, operating motorized vehicles, and interacting with guests, both indoors and outdoors on uneven terrain.
• Between 25% and 50% of the workday may involve climbing stairs, pushing, pulling, or performing repetitive wrist, hand, or finger motions.
• Less than 25% of the workday may involve balancing, stooping, crouching, or kneeling.
• Must be able to navigate multiple floors of historic buildings and outdoor grounds, including uneven surfaces, to conduct tours and ensure guest safety.
• Must be able to operate motorized vehicles safely, including trolleys, golf carts, and motorcars.
• Spend more than 50% of the workday verbally communicating with guests and coworkers and listening for instructions or safety cues.
• Regularly use vision to conduct tours, operate vehicles safely, and observe museum collections, equipment, historic structures, and visitor areas.
• Use tactile and visual abilities to operate vehicles, monitor museum equipment, and ensure safe interaction with guests.

Working Conditions:

• Required to perform work both indoors and outdoors.
• Will be exposed to extreme heat, high humidity, rain, wind, and other adverse weather conditions as well as occasional extreme cold.
• Will be exposed to hazards including moving vehicles, mechanical parts, uneven terrain, and historic building features (stairs, narrow aisles, passageways, attics, basements, or other confined spaces).
• Will be subject to atmospheric conditions such as fumes, oils, odors, dusts, mists, or poor ventilation.
• Work may occur during evenings, weekends, holidays, and under variable lighting conditions.
• Noise levels range from normal to loud, occasionally requiring workers to shout for communication during tours or in high-traffic areas

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