Guest Services Associate

Join Our Team as a Guest Service Associate at HI Chicago!

Would you love to interact with travelers from all around the world and welcome them to your city? Join Hostelling International USA at our Chicago hostel. We are currently accepting applications for a full time Guest Service Associate who will play a crucial role in creating a welcoming atmosphere while ensuring the reception desk runs smoothly, efficiently, and in accordance with hostel policy.

Position Details:

• Starting Rate: $17.00
• Shifts:
  
  2:30pm - 11:00pm, weekend & holiday availability required
• Type:
  Full Time

Benefits:

Medical, dental, vision, disability, vacation, sick leave, commuter benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), 403b with company match, and more (New Hire waiting periods apply).

Perks:

• Free stays at other HI USA hostels (subject to availability)
• Discounts on hundreds of brands
• On-the-job training
• Opportunities for growth within HI USA
• Friendly and inclusive work environment

Responsibilities:

• Welcome, register, orient and supervise guests, and provide group orientations in a friendly and positive manner, while being mindful of cultural differences
• and possible language barriers
• Take individual and group reservations by telephone, e-mail, or via an online system, in a friendly, accurate and efficient manner
• Conduct hostel tours
• Encourage and collect guest comments and feedback
• Follow hostel procedures, ensuring the security and safety of the hostel, hostel property, guests, guests' property, and fellow employees
• Accurately maintain all shift reports, logs, and necessary daily paperwork, including a record of overnight fees, sale of goods, and rentals
• Perform laundry, cleaning, bookkeeping, food preparation, and other duties and tasks as needed
• Promote and provide information on HI memberships, the hostel, and the local area to guests and visitors in person, over the telephone, and via e-mail
• Promote the mission of HI USA: "To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people, through hos telling"
• Represent HI USA and the hostel in a positive manner to guests, callers, and local officials
• Provide overnight, on-call assistance in case of emergencies
• Other duties or projects as assigned by the hostel management

Skills/

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Customer service experience preferred
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to handle cash and record receipts without error
• Must enjoy working with the public and have the ability to calmly and professionally handle conflict, guest issues, or emergencies
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment
• Computer literacy and familiarity with WINXP, MS Word, Excel, and Outlook preferred
• Ability to work independently and as part of a larger team
• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as schedule requires
• First aid and CPR certification preferred; training can be provided
• Hostelling experience a plus
• Ability to speak a second language a plus

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands and arms. The employee is frequently to stand, walk, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.