JOB TITLE: TOURIST INFORMATION COUNSELOR

JOB CODE: 05942

DEFINITION: This is routine work greeting and assisting visitors touring the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

An employee in this job greets, welcomes, and assists visitors to the commonwealth in the Department of Transportation’s Welcome Centers located along interstate highways near the state’s borders. Work involves providing general information to the public on Pennsylvania’s history, highway system, weather, tourist areas, attractions, recreational areas, state parks, and lodging facilities. Work also involves issuing tourist promotional literature, providing directions, and answering specific questions on Pennsylvania. Work is subject to changes in operating procedures and requires some adaptability to shifts in work schedule. Employees work with considerable independence within standard operating procedures and receive minimal supervision. Supervision is received from a Tourist Information Supervisor through scheduled day-to-day rotation at the Welcome Center.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Greets, welcomes, and assists visitors in a courteous and professional manner.

• Distributes tourist promotional literature and provides assistance to travelers and tourists regarding the commonwealth’s highway system, weather information, tourist areas, attractions, recreational areas, state parks, and lodging facilities.

• Maintains the Welcome Center and its literature display racks in a neat, clean, and orderly manner.

• Opens and/or closes the Welcome Center punctually on a daily basis as assigned by the work schedule.

• Assists supervisor in the compilation and preparation of required reports.

• Travels periodically in and out of state for training, educational, and promotional purposes.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of effective customer service practices.

• Ability to read and comprehend written information.

• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• One year of experience in work involving public contact;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.