Tourist Information Counselor

Are you passionate about helping travelers and providing them with the most useful information for their journeys? If so, the Erie County Welcome Center is on the lookout for a friendly and enthusiastic Tourist Information Counselor to join their team. As a counselor, you will play a vital role in ensuring that visitors to the Welcome Center receive top-notch assistance, guidance, and resources to enhance their travel experiences. If you have a knack for providing effective and accurate information, and if you enjoy interacting with people from all walks of life, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Apply today and be a part of creating unforgettable travel memories for our visitors!

As a Tourist Information Counselor, you will be responsible for delivering exceptional customer service to all stakeholders of the Welcome Center, which includes the traveling public, partners in the tourism industry, internal customers, employees, and vendors. Your primary task will be to assist travelers by providing essential information about their visit to Pennsylvania, such as directions and hotel accommodations, thereby promoting and enhancing travel throughout the state.

You will also play a crucial role in enhancing the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) tourism outreach initiatives and fortifying partnerships within the industry through various activities, including special programming, informational tours, travel shows, and other related events. In addition, you will engage in other travel-support responsibilities as assigned by your supervisor or division manager.

In order to optimize Welcome Center operations, it is essential to maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of Pennsylvania's highways, transportation systems, public and private attractions and recreation areas, events, weather conditions, accommodations, and tourist attractions so that they may be shared with our guests. You will be expected to communicate directly with the Tourist Information Supervisor to address any questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding the staff and operations of the Welcome Center.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 80 hours/bi-weekly
• This position works a 6-week rotating schedule. Days and hours may vary from Sunday to Saturday. Temporary hours of operation are 9:00 AM to to 5:30 PM.
• This position includes reporting to work during periods of inclement weather, unless directed otherwise, as part of PennDOT's mission is to serve the traveling public.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience in work involving public contact; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• You must be willing and able to work in and commute to the Erie County Welcome Center, I-90 W 1/2 mile W. of NY Border, North East, PA 16428.
• You must have the ability to report to work within 1-hour of being called in.
• You must have front facing public contact experience.
• You must have experience working with computers.
• You must have experience answering phones, composing emails, compiling reports, tracking office activities and inventory, entering data, and filing.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Five or more years of full-time experience in work involving front facing public.
• Indicate highest level of education achieved.

Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.