Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Institutional Advancement
Full-Time Exempt Salary
Range: $24.00 – $25.00 per hour
Reports To: Senior Manager, Visitor Services
Join Forever Balboa Park and help us safeguard and enhance the beauty and legacy of one of San Diego’s most cherished landmarks through the power of philanthropy!
Forever Balboa Park’s mission is to improve and advance Balboa Park so people and nature thrive together.
Job Summary:
The Tour Program Specialist is responsible for implementing and supporting all aspects of Forever Balboa Park’s tour program. The Specialist’s goal is to grow a robust, best in industry tour program.
Tour Coordination and Administration (70%)
- Responsible for scheduling guides for regular free public tours.
- Coordinate custom, private tours, including responding to inquiries, scheduling guides, and processing payments.
- Maintain tour reports – tracking number of participants, feedback, and revenue.
- Develop new custom tours and educational programs focused on topics such as horticulture, specialized Park history, foreign languages, and kid-friendly tours.
- Create and host quarterly specialty tour events such as scavenger hunts.
- Establish partnerships with other organizations to expand tour selection.
- Recruit, train, and evaluate volunteer tour guides.
- Meet with tour guides on a regular basis to review and refine the tour program.
- Ensure tour information is accurate and up-to-date by working with other departments and subject matter experts.
- Enhance the Forever Balboa Park membership experience by providing specialty tours and educational programs for members.
- Work with the Institutional Advancement department to introduce potential patrons to Forever Balboa Park and support opportunities.
Marketing (30%)
- Work with Communications Specialist and Senior Manager to develop a marketing strategy for the tour program.
- Establish and maintain partnerships with tourism industry organizations, such as the San Diego Tourism Authority, and destination management groups to promote tours.
- Create and maintain travel sales site pages such as Expedia and Travelocity.
- Ensure accurate and up-to-date information about the tour program is clearly posted on all featured websites such as foreverbalboapark.org and balboapark.org.
- Work with the Communications Specialist to make sure all collateral materials are up-to-date and distributed through appropriate channels.
Key Performance Metrics
- Coordinate scheduling of free and private tours in a timely manner.
- Strengthen tour program by expanding tour offerings and recruiting tour guides.
- Establish Forever Balboa Park as the go-to organization for tours of Balboa Park.
- Generate revenue, ensuring budget goals are met or exceeded.
Education and Experience
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in hospitality, tourism, or similar field
- Minimum 2 years of experience in educational programming and/or tour coordination
- Experience in a leadership role
- Experience working with volunteers preferred
Competencies, Skills, and Abilities
- Superior customer service and communication skills
- Take initiative and easily adapt to an often-changing environment
- Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills
- Proficiency in various Google Office Suite programs such as Google Docs and Sheets
- Strong passion for the mission of the organization and knowledge of Balboa Park
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
- Some bending, stooping, and kneeling
- Standing and walking for significant time periods while conducting tours
- Sitting for significant time at a desk working on a computer
- Ability to communicate orally and written
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and relevant experience to Diane Lincoln at diane@balboapark.org.
Join Forever Balboa Park and help us safeguard and enhance the beauty and legacy of one of San Diego’s most cherished landmarks through the power of philanthropy!
Forever Balboa Park is an equal opportunity employer. Forever Balboa Park is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of its staff, visitors, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and donors. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin or ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include but are not limited to hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We will take Affirmative Action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant.