Vacancy Announcement No : OO 23-17
POSITION : Interpretive Guide (Historical Tour Guide), 1 Position
APPOINTMENT TYPE : Permanent Position
Duration: Indefinite – upon successful completion of probationary period
AGENCY/LOCATION : American Battle Monuments Commission, Manila American Cemetery, McKinley Road Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines
OPENING PERIOD : May 16, 2023 to June 16, 2023
WORKING HOURS : Full time (40 hours/week) @ 8-hour workday schedule, rotating days
SERIES/GRADE : FSN 05/06
SALARY :
- FSN – 05 Php 376,255 / p.a. (entry/developmental level)
- FSN – 06 Php 418,232 / p.a. (full performance level)
WHO MAY APPLY : All Interested Candidates (Philippine Residents Only)
Security Clearance Required : Local Security Certification (e.g., NBI, Police Clearance and Barangay Clearance; This will be required when an applicant is selected for the vacancy)
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
An Interpretive Guide provides personal interaction with guests and act as an educational interpreter; offers guest assistance and enhance the visitor experience for the guest. This position works at the Manila Visitor Center located at the Manila American Cemetery and reports directly to the Manila Visitor Center Director.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Manila Visitor Center (MVC) Director, ensure the implementation of the Visitor Program.
- Visitor Center duties, to include:
- Greeting visitors and providing exceptional customer services
- Providing information about the Visitor Center; the Manila American Cemetery on Cemetery tours
- Explains Visitor Center exhibits
- Demonstrates the use of automated burial register and provides directions to specific graves
- Answering questions about the nature of the Manila American Cemetery, the military campaigns and battles fought by those buried; and their larger context in war as it relates to the cemetery.
- Under the direction of the MVC Director coordinates and executes all routine visitor events at the Cemetery and Visitor Center, including ceremonies, next-of-kin visits, presentations, and other events;
- Conduct Tours
- Providing tours of the Cemetery, memorial, and Visitor Center for individuals, groups, and VIPs
- Independently presents thematic programs based upon the established interpretive themes of the assigned cemetery after initially working under close supervisory direction.
- Provide presentations developed using thematic interpretation models and allow creative and individual use of delivery techniques.
- Incorporate informal interpretation techniques while providing information and orientation services.
- Particularly diligent in identifying potential next-of-kin visitors and being ready to offer the enhanced next-of-kin services provided by ABMC.
- Independently present thematic programs based upon the established interpretive themes of the Manila American Cemetery. Programs will explain the military history of the site and their larger significance World War II and will include information explaining nearby memorials, the wall of the missing, the chapel, the plot areas, the history of the cemetery and important facts concerning burials in the Cemetery. The incumbent must be able to conduct these thematic programs in English and the host nation language.
- Roving Interpretation
- Provides roving interpretation for visitors within the cemetery grounds.
- Responsible to meet and greet visitors and answer questions.
- Interpretation
- Researching and developing Interpretive Programs
- Participates in the development of a wide range of interpretive products including but not limited to writing interpretive text, designing interpretive publications, signs, radio and newspapers spots, etc. under the direction of the MVC Director and/or Superintendent
- Outreach and Community Relations:
- Maintains productive relationships with area museums, local tour groups, veterans groups, local citizens and all others who bring groups into the Cemetery.
- Ceremonial Occasions:
- Assists and coordinates ceremonial functions, such as wreath laying, flower placement, Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.
- Duties also include raising and lowering of the flag daily
- Education Programs:
- Working under established interpretive themes, assists in the research and development of education programs. This material will be presented to school children, and to general cemetery visitors. Develops educational curriculum and maintains productive working relationships with area schools.
- Research:
- Under the direction of MVC Director, the incumbent continuously strives to increase their knowledge of the cemetery, the history associated with the site, and the general area to ensure that our visitors get the most out of their visit.
- Incumbent will also be part of a team developing a resource library and basic research materials for the cemetery.
- Other duties as assigned:
- Responsible for a diverse array of miscellaneous duties including but not limited to: keeping visitor statistics and administrative functions
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
This position is being announced at the entry/developmental level. Selected applicant maybe promoted to the full performance level at FSN-06, without further competition once the required qualifications and performance criteria are met.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in History, International Studies, Education, Tourism, or equivalent
- Work experience:
- 2 years working experience in a public-facing role
- 2 years working in a similar area with high levels of visitor contact
- Teaching, public speaking, or research experience is an advantage
- Language Proficiency:
- Level 4/C1 English Language Proficiency.
Selected applicants are required to undergo an English proficiency test.
- Level 4/C1 English Language Proficiency.
- Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the principles, methods, practices and techniques of interpretative communication,
- Knowledge of historical research methods sufficient to gather and organize factual materials, including in depth knowledge of the Second World War in the Pacific.
- Knowledge and skill in analyzing the effectiveness of communication plans implemented in the interpretative program, and developing recommendations to change the nature of the site’s interpretative program.
- Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work with a wide variety of personalities; ability to deal with the public and staff with tact, courtesy and diplomacy.
- Engaging public speaker; Ability to conduct both formal presentations and mobile programs to groups
- Competence and patience working with visitors of all abilities, including visitors from foreign countries with potential language barriers
- Must be at ease in meeting people and dealing with situations, which may be delicate.
- Ability to exhibit good judgment.
- Possess the ability to function independently or with the supervisor to control guest issues.
- Skill in the use of automated data systems that support ABMC processes, activities and programs and the use of software for entering and retrieving data, especially the MS Office suite.
- Mission Employee Applicants:
- Employees on probationary status are not eligible to apply
- In order to qualify, applicants must have 1 year time in grade at the next lower grade level. All applicants will be considered at the grade level(s) they are qualified for.
BENEFITS
The compensation package includes health and life insurance, separation, and other benefits in accordance with the U.S. Mission Manila’s Local Compensation Plan.
HOW TO APPLY
- Interested applicants must submit via email to yarinh@abmc.gov the following documents: (MS Word/PDF format)
- Cover letter defining the applicant’s eligibility, experience, knowledge and skills
- Comprehensive resume must contain all current and previous work experiences with emphasis on qualifications and competencies relevant to the position applied for.
- Transcript of Records and/or Diploma, trainings, professional licenses, certifications, awards that meet qualification requirements of the position
- (Mission Employee Applicants) Copies of Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 / JF-62A) that shows your time-in grade eligibility
- Applications must be submitted via email no later than June 16, 2023, 11:59 p.m.
- For further inquiries you may call (02) 8844-0212
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants will be notified via email that your application was received. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications required for the position. Applications will undergo screening process and the highest qualified candidates are selected. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview either via video teleconference or in person.
All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the Philippines. This position is not open to U.S. Citizens or U.S. Dual-Nationals. ABMC does not issue work permits or visa for those who are interested to apply for this position.
COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS
Candidates who will be employed and compensated will be required to follow ABMC and U.S. Mission Manila COVID-19 policies applicable to Locally Employed Staff. If selected for the position, the agency will provide you additional information regarding these requirements.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The American Battle Monuments Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on sex, race, age, religion, national origin, or physical or mental disability.