Staff Sought for Visitor Centres

Tourism Nova Scotia is looking for people to share their knowledge of the province with visitors from around the world. Experienced bagpipers and rock patrollers are also required, along with maintenance workers and retail clerks.

More than 100 jobs are available at Visitor Information Centres around the province between May and October. The deadline for applications is Jan. 29, 1999.

"Nova Scotia is renowned for its hospitality, and the people who fill these positions are key to maintaining that reputation," said David Oxner, executive director of Tourism Nova Scotia. "We're putting an aggressive recruitment process in place so we can get the best people possible."

As part of the 1999 hiring program, Tourism Nova Scotia will actively recruit people from universities, community colleges and high schools. More than 20 recruitment sessions are being scheduled throughout the province, including in Yarmouth, Lunenburg, Amherst, Halifax Regional Municipality, Pictou and Cape Breton.

Those sessions will feature a multimedia presentation on Nova Scotia's $1.1-billion tourism industry and the supportive role of the Visitor Information Centres. Designed with Mount Saint Vincent University's business and tourism department, the sessions will also include a question-and-answer period and tips on how to apply.

More than 730,000 visitors dropped into Nova Scotia's 12 Visitor Information Centres in 1998, a 36 per cent increase over 1997. Nearly all those surveyed at the centres found staff helpful and knowledgeable, while 11 per cent reported increasing the length of their stay in the province.

Suitable candidates for the positions must have leadership, communication and supervisory skills. Tourism-related experience is an asset, while first aid and command of a second language are required for some positions.

Feedback from previous employees indicate a high level of satisfaction with the job, with many writing to say they thoroughly enjoyed the time and gained a greater appreciation of the province.

Job descriptions and application forms are available at Human Resources Development Canada employment centres, Nova Scotia Business Service Centres, Access Nova Scotia centres, and university and community college employment centres. Information and applications are also available from Tourism Nova Scotia, 902-424-3282 or 1-800-313-4447, P.O. Box 519, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2R7, or e-mail Nyree Landry at [email protected] . Economic Development and Tourism's website at http://www.gov.ns.ca/ecor/ also has information on the positions.

Positions are available at the Visitor Information Centres in:
Amherst, Digby, Halifax (International Airport, waterfront and downtown), Peggy's Cove, Pictou/Wood Islands, Port Hastings, Portland and Bar Harbor in Maine, Yarmouth, and North Sydney. Salaries range from $6.50 to $11 an hour.