Tour Guide, Government House

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about history and love to share stories with others? Become a Government House Tour Guide and play a vital role in showcasing one of Alberta's most cherished historical sites!

As a Tour Guide at Government House, you will immerse visitors in Alberta's rich history, offering them a unique journey through time, from 1913 to the present day. You will engage with a wide variety of guests—from families and tourists to dignitaries—ensuring each visitor leaves with a deep appreciation for the art, antiques, and significant events that have shaped the province.

What you’ll do: 

• Lead captivating tours of Government House, presenting facts on historical events, art collections, and antique furnishings in an engaging and professional manner.
• Tailor your tours to suit different audiences, whether you're speaking to children, seniors, or dignitaries.
• Work closely with the onsite security officer to ensure the safety of both visitors and the House’s valuable contents.
• Be a source of local knowledge, offering insight into Government House’s surrounding areas, and guiding guests on nearby attractions like the Alberta Legislature.
• Support high-profile events such as the Lieutenant Governor's New Year's Day Levee, provincial ceremonies, and special delegations.
• Keep accurate records of visitor numbers and ensure any issues are reported for resolution.

What You Bring:

• A passion for history, culture, and storytelling.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills, comfortable presenting to diverse groups.
• A professional demeanor, adaptable to the needs of different visitor types, from the public to high-level dignitaries.
• The ability to work collaboratively with security staff to maintain the safety and integrity of Government House and its collections.
• A keen eye for detail and a sense of responsibility for preserving Alberta’s cultural heritage.

Why You’ll Love It Here:

• Be the face of one of Alberta’s most iconic historical venues.Share your love of history and local knowledge with guests from all walks of life.
• Work in a beautiful and storied setting, rich with art, antiques, and historical significance.
• Contribute to prestigious events and ceremonies at the highest level of provincial protocol.

If you’re excited to make history, come alive for visitors of all ages, apply today to become a Government House Tour Guide and help preserve and promote Alberta’s cultural heritage!

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Agility - Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty, and effectively work in a changing environment.

Drive for Results - Sets goals and prioritizes work to accomplish them. Follows through on duties and tasks.

Build Collaborative Environments - Contributes positively by actively sharing information and listening and accepting others' points of view in an open, honest and non-defensive way.

Develop Networks - Proactively building networks, connecting and building trust in relationships with different stakeholders.

Systems Thinking - Understands how work contributes to the achievement of department goals.

Creative Problem Solving - Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards 

• High school diploma; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:    

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

For application consideration, you must attach a cover letter outlining your qualification and suitability for this role. Please clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with this position.

Assets:

• Must be able to speak knowledgably about activities in the area around Government House as well as Edmonton in general. This could include giving accurate directions, hours of operation etc.
• Must work in conjunction with security officer to ensure opening and closing procedures are accurately followed.  In addition, precautions are to be taken at all times to ensure the safekeeping of all art and fixtures in Government House.
• Must keep accurate records of tour activities including number of guests per shift and any maintenance concerns.
• Must have a solid understanding of the roles within government and the process of how government functions.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a Wage position. Wage positions do not have guaranteed hours. Work will be assigned based on operational needs, generally up to 12 hours per week.

The position is based in Edmonton, Alberta and availability to work over the weekends and statutory holidays is required.

A cover letter that demonstrates how your education and work experience makes you the ideal candidate for the job is required.

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Please also indicate whether your work experience was part-time or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Executive Director of Job Title (Full time)

Final candidates may be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.