Wine Tour Guide
(Wine Jobs:
Sales & Marketing)
Part Time
Seattle,
Washington
ROLE
The Wine "Escape Artist" provides direct service of Seattle-based tours for set departures, private luxury tours, and corporate programs. Wine guides promote Washington wines to locals and tourists by touring small-boutique wineries, mostly in Woodinville. Evergreen Escapes seeks part-time hourly guides for the 2015-2016 season, with the possibility of a salary position for the right candidate. Tour volume will be highest April through September with the possibility of extending hourly employment indefinitely into the future.
ORGANIZATION
Evergreen Escapes' mission is to inspire positive change through transformational experiences -- connecting people, places, and our environment. We are a highly reputable tour operator that specializes in providing authentic and educational local experiences via small group, custom and private half-, full-, and multi-day escapes led by local "Escape Artist" guides who provide our clients with immersion experiences in our mountains, islands, waterways, culture, farms, fare, wine, brew and spirits. Evergreen Escapes also designs and hosts adventures and excursions to six continents in the world using the above values and methods. Our demographics primarily include adults aged 35-75 from across the United States and worldwide. We maintain a base camp in SoDo of Seattle.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
• Lead or assist a diverse range of half-, full-, and multi-day tours, retreats and team building programs. Much of the time will be spent working alone with clients. Guiding wine, beer, and city tours will be your primary responsibilities.
• Give interpretive commentary about Pacific Northwest region (Cascadia), human history, natural history, and general ecology, as it pertains to food/beverage cultivation, preparation, and service throughout the PNW farm-to-table experience.
• Safely transport clients in luxury Mercedes vans or SUV's and ensuring that clients are picked up and delivered to correct end point on time.
• Provide professional appearance and conduct with all clients, colleagues, and partner organizations.
QUALIFICATIONS -- REQUIRED
• resident of greater Seattle or willingness to relocate immediately
• Experience in restaurant/hospitality industry, and/or experience as an educator or interpretive guide (wine speciality experience preferred)
• Responsible, independent, creative-thinking, self-starting, charismatic individual
• Able to provide 5-star guest service for individuals from various backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures.
• Clean driving record
• Comfortable driving 12-passenger luxury Mercedes vans, crossovers, or SUV's in all conditions (city streets under heavy traffic through winter mountain roads requiring chains to be installed/removed). [Training provided.]
• Within first two weeks of hire, must have completed First Aid & CPR certification, Leave No Trace Awareness certification, In-House Driver training, Food Handlers permit, and alcohol handling "mixologist" permit (some of these provided).
• Ability to lift 40 lbs/18 kg
• Pass a Washington State Patrol background check
QUALIFICATIONS -- DESIRED (some or all)
• 4-year degree or higher
• minimum 4 years experience as an educator, sommelier, and/or interpretive guide
• sommelier certification/diploma {strongly preferred}
• vintner and/or viticulture experience
• ciserone/beer sommelier certification
• brewing experience (home or commercial)
• knowledge of distillation processes and regional spirits
• PNW region-specific knowledge of geography, AVA's, culture, natural & human history, and ecology
• experience in environmental, outdoor, and/or adventure education
• multilingual (especially Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, and/or German)
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wildernes First Responder (WFR) certification a plus
COMPENSATION
• Our base pay is $11.50/hour with significant opportunities for advancement and raises on these rates. Higher starting rates apply to those with appropriate certifications and experience.
• on-the-job education
• friends-and-family discounts on tours
• Industry discounts on services, equipment and clothing
• Opportunities for training, networking & professional development in industries of adventure travel, outdoor/environmental education, and meetings/event management
CONTACT
Qualified candidates should send a resume, cover letter, and 3 references. No calls, please. Positions are open until needs are fulfilled.
$11.50/hr plus gratuity
