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The Captain shall have the sole responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of the vessel, the passengers, and the crew at all times. They shall be licensed by the United States Coast Guard to operate the vessel and ensure that all applicable rules and regulations are followed for each vessel they are assigned to operate. The Captain will also assume responsibility for seeing that the vessel and its crew are ready to accept passengers, provide the tour, and associated activities in a professional and timely manner. Duties include but at not limited to: ensuring passenger safety at all times; providing excellent customer service; safely piloting and maintaining control of company vessel on assigned route; conducting emergency preparedness drills; evaluations of crew members, participation in required training programs; directing the handling of vessel lines and running gear; supervising the loading of equipment; posting a watch; assuring Vessel security protocols are executed; supervising and performing light janitorial duties; light maintenance; interacting with passengers; conducting safety inspections; supervising and managing assigned vessel crew in accordance with Company policy and USCG requirements; implementing company SMS and Security plans for the vessel assigned; light clerical duties, including completing reports and logs.

Qualifications & Requirements:
– Must be friendly, enthusiastic, and hardworking.
– USCG 100-ton Master license.
– CPR/First Aid certification.
– Obtaining a TWIC card, as required.
– Ability to input data using a computer and other traditional means.
– Flexible or open availability. Evenings, weekends, and holidays are required.
– Per USCG regulations, all Captains will be subject to random drug testing, including marijuana

The Deckhand is an integral part of the safe operation of all our tour boats and the Chicago Water Taxi. They are charged with carrying out those tasks which support the captain and allow for the vessel to function in its role as a tour boat or water taxi. Deckhands will also be required to work on the docks doing bag screenings, security, and dock maintenance. The deckhand works in an outdoor environment, often exposed to rain and other elements, including slick or wet decks. Duties include, but are not limited to, securing the vessel, boarding, de-boarding, greeting passengers, maintaining the vessels cleanliness, providing manpower for tasks as assigned, and assisting in providing the necessary comforts and safety of the passengers. A deckhand may be called upon, in an emergency, to assist in the retrieval of a person in the water and perform training drills for this task. The deckhand should always be visible and interact with the passengers and have the ability to observe, remain in a stationary position, and/or move about the vessel for up to 90 minutes. On a daily basis, this position will assist in the resupply of the vessel, which includes the ability to assist in the lifting of up to 50lbs. Weekend and holiday availability may be required.

Qualifications & Requirements:
– Must be friendly, enthusiastic, and hardworking.
– Customer service experience.
– Foreign language skills are a plus.
– Marine/boating experience is a plus, but not required.
– Due to USCG regulations, must be a United States Citizen.
– Must be 18 years of age or older.
– Flexible or open availability. Evenings, weekends, and holidays are required.
– Ability to work outdoors with exposure to rain, snow, and extreme heat or cold.
– Per USCG regulations, all deckhands will be subject to random drug testing, including marijuana.

The Guest Service Ambassador (GSA) is often our first point of contact. The GSA is responsible for ensuring the Wendella guest experience is a positive one. Mostly positioned throughout the docks, the GSA is required to stand, often on warm days, and occasionally on cold, wet pavement for hours at a time. The GSA will answer all questions about Wendella’s tours and services as well as the Chicago Water Taxi. Guests will often look to the GSA to answer general questions about Chicago, which may include directions or activity recommendations. The GSA will also assist the crew and ticket office with lining up and boarding passengers, scanning tickets, keeping the dock clean, and occasionally transporting supplies weighing up to 50 pounds. The GSA will also assist with any other tasks that may be needed for the smooth operation of the dock. This fun, outdoor position includes heavy customer contact and requires standing and affords an opportunity to interact with guests from around the world. The GSA needs to move between our docks which requires ascending/descending stairs frequently.

Qualifications & Requirements:
– Must be 16 years or older.
– Ability to work outdoors where you are exposed to rain, snow, extreme hot and cold temperatures.
– Foreign language skills are a plus, but not required.
– Flexible or open availability. Evenings, weekends, and holidays are required.
– Must be friendly, outgoing, and enthusiastic!
– Prior customer service experience is a plus.
– Hotel/Hospitality/Tourism industry experience is a plus.

As an added amenity to our guests, all tour vessels offer a snack and beverage service. There is also merchandise sold from the bar that the bartenders are responsible for selling and maintaining inventory. There is cleaning and heavy lifting required for this position. Bartenders must be able to remain stationary for up to 2 hours, while making drinks, cleaning, and using a computer-based sales system. The bartender must be able to transport supplies (including but not limited to kegs, water jugs, boxes, and bottles) and provisions between our vessels and docks and move up to 50lbs. This is a fast-paced environment and multi-tasking is required. Bartenders will be responsible for doing inventory on bottles and merchandise. Bartenders are required to check ID’s and are legally responsible if they serve underage guests or over serve guests.

Qualifications & Requirements:
– Must be 21 years of age or older.
– Illinois BASSET certification is required.
– Bartending experience is a plus, but not required.
– Must be friendly, enthusiastic, and hardworking.
– Customer service experience.
– Foreign language skills are a plus.
– Flexible or open availability. Evenings, weekends, and holidays are required.

The Tour Guide serves an ambassador for Wendella and the City of Chicago. They are responsible for presenting accurate and detailed information in a professional, entertaining, and engaging manner. They are tasked to learn Wendella’s tour narrations, which must meet professional guidelines as set forth by Wendella and its Director of Education. All Tour Guides must complete the in-house training program which provides them with the necessary information to deliver a comprehensive tour. The Tour Guide plays an important role in customer relations and the guest experience, by meeting and greeting passengers as they embark and disembark the vessel. Each Tour Guides must be able to stay stationary for up to 90 minutes without a break, either seating or standing on a moving vessel. Tour Guides also must answer questions about the information presented, as well as general questions about Chicago. Tours are presented outdoors, in a variety of weather conditions, including, but not limited to, rain or excessively warm days. Tour Guides at times must deliver the tour on a wet or pitching deck.

Qualifications & Requirements:
– Ability to work outdoors where you are exposed to rain, snow, and extreme heat.
– Foreign language skills are a plus, but not required.
– Flexible or open availability. Evenings, weekends, and holidays are required.
– Must be friendly, outgoing, and enthusiastic!
– Must have strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills; be self-motivated.
– Must be able to retain historical facts, dates, and anecdotes, and relate that information to passengers in an interesting and informative way.
– Must always demonstrate a professional appearance and behavior while representing Wendella.
– Must enjoy working with groups of all ages, including school groups which make up a large contingency of spring and fall tours.
– Must be reliable and timely when reporting for tours on their assigned vessel.
– Must present current information, requiring reviewing tour material for accuracy
– Previous experience as a tour guide or educator is an advantage.
– An interest in architectural and local history is highly desirable.
– Must be 18 years of age or older

The Phone Reservationist has the primary responsibility of answering incoming telephone calls in a corporate office setting. The Phone Reservationist will sell tickets and take credit card deposits or payments utilizing a computer-based sales system and operate other office equipment. The Phone Reservationist will also interact and exchange information over the phone or via webchat with individuals or groups. While working in an office setting, the Phone Reservationist may be required to remain at a workstation for up to 2 hours at time without a break. General office work, such as data entry, may be required.

Qualifications & Requirements:
– Excellent communication and customer service skills are a must!
– Ability to work independently.
– Foreign language skills are a plus.
– Must have flexible or open availability. May be required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
– Familiarity with multi-line phone systems and computers.
– Must be professional and organized.
– Experience in the tourism or hospitality industry is a plus.
– At least 2-3 years of customer service experience.
– Present a clean and professional appearance.
– Proficient typing/keyboard skills, minimum of 50 wpm.
– Excellent phone etiquette.

Know Your Rights; Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Know Your Rights; Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (Espanol)