Arctic Tourism Center "Grumant"** invites a Guide-Interpreter to join the team for the implementation of a unique tourism product on the Arctic archipelago.
Arctic Tourism Center "Grumant" (Arctic Travel company "Grumant") is a structural unit of FSUE "State Trust "Arktikugol", which has been conducting economic activities on the Svalbard archipelago since 1931. ATC was established in 2015 and is the only official Russian tour operator in Svalbard.
Working at the center is a unique opportunity to live and work in close contact with wildlife, enhance your competencies and skills by interacting with guests from all over the world, participate in the development of Arctic expedition routes, thereby leaving your mark on the development of tourism in the Arctic.
ATC "Grumant" operates on its own material and technical base in the Russian settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramida, and in the Norwegian settlement of Longyearbyen: 2 hotels, 2 hostels, 3 bar-restaurants, 2 post offices, souvenir shops, a Craft Center, a Museum and Exhibition Center, an Arctic sled dog kennel, automotive transport, snowmobiles (46 units), 3 sea boats, bicycles, sea kayaks, all necessary equipment, etc.
Main tasks:
- Accompany groups on tours: summer (mid-June – September) – hiking and sea (kayak, boat, motorboat); winter season (February – early May) – multi-day snowmobile trips. This includes: moving along routes, preventing dangerous and conflict situations, communicating with guests and competently providing local information, teaching guests safe behavior and operation of equipment in local conditions.
- Effectively and carefully use entrusted equipment and gear, participate in its preparation, maintenance, and conservation.
- Participate: in the development and preparation of routes; training and technical trips/hikes; educational events (courses, trainings, etc.). A significant part of professional development involves self-education.
- In addition to working with tourist groups: participate in technical communication between settlements (transportation of goods and company employees), as well as in related operational activities.
- Perform work in accordance with the laws, regulations of life on the archipelago, and internal company regulations and algorithms.
- Maintain records of fuel and lubricants, and work time sheets.
Requirements:
- English language at a "confident conversational" level – mandatory.
- Physical and mental resilience to local conditions (polar "day" and "night", prolonged exposure to low temperatures, dry "glacial" air, outdoor work, etc.).
- Stress resistance and conflict-free attitude.
- Military ID (for conscripts) / hunting license, documented completed courses in firearms handling.
- Ability to communicate competently and coherently with different people, express thoughts orally and in writing. Computer literacy, basic skills in working with text and spreadsheet editors.
- Experience as a guide-interpreter in commercial tourism, as well as in related disciplines: mountaineering and rock climbing, hiking and mountain tourism, navigation, kayaking, snowmobile driving.
Advantages:
- Higher education – technical or humanitarian (history, geography, tourism management).
- Proficiency in other foreign languages in addition to English, especially Scandinavian languages.
- Experience of long-term stay and participation in expeditions in northern and Arctic regions.
- Other experience in the hospitality industry.
- High level of general education (well-read, knowledge of geography and history, basics of psychology and conflict resolution).
Working conditions:
- Flights from Moscow to Svalbard and back are paid by the employer at the beginning and end of the employment contract.
- Place of residence – Barentsburg settlement, Svalbard archipelago.
- Official employment from the first working day with salary payment according to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation.
- Employment contract – 6 months with the possibility of extension up to 5 years.
- Annual paid leave of 49 calendar days for a full year worked (or proportionally to the time worked). Leave without pay up to 2-3 months (by agreement with management).
- Payment upon completion of work, according to the terms of the contract, to a salary card.
- Expenses: income tax in Svalbard – 8%; payment for housing utilities and food expenses average 30-40 thousand rubles per month.
- Company housing is provided.
- The work schedule is irregular and discussed individually.
- Work clothes and equipment are provided.
- Infrastructure for employees: cultural and sports complex, swimming pool, gym, grocery and general stores, canteen, pharmacy, polyclinic (surgeon, dentist, therapist).
Selection stages:
- A detailed resume with links to social media profiles and a cover letter are expected from you. In the letter, you are asked to explain your personal motivation to work as a guide in the team and describe your biography, experience and skills, outlook on life, etc.
- In turn, you will be sent a short questionnaire and invited to undergo several online interviews, as a result of which a decision on cooperation will be made.
Start of work – after processing travel documents and flying to Svalbard.
