Travel Counselor

About Us: The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians. The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity. Description of Work The Visitor Services Program works in cooperation with strategic partners to strengthen the state's tourism industry by providing customer service and information on travel to and within North Carolina to visitors and potential visitors. It is comprised of four components: North Carolina Welcome Centers, Tourism Call Center, Tourism Fulfillment Center, and Tourism Warehouse. The Welcome Center program maximizes the opportunities to increase visitor expenditures through responsive promotion and marketing initiatives, and by providing excellent customer service at points of entry to the state along interstate highways. Welcome Centers provide multiple travel services, such as providing travel information, planning trips, routing, distributing travel literature, and making reservations for accommodations. Travel Information Counselors must enjoy working with the public and must be able to communicate clearly with the public in oral and written form.

Responsibilities: Use all available resources to provide visitors with excellent customer service; Provide information about the state and its tourist facilities to visitors; Distribute information on attractions, events, and accommodations to visitors; Provide highway routing information to visitors; Maintain brochure display racks, back stock, and order new and replacement brochures; Participate in study/familiarization tours and share your experiences with coworkers; Occasionally conduct oral presentations to schools or civic groups. Work Schedule Welcome Centers are open 7 days a week from 8am to 5pm. The work schedule will include weekday, weekend, and holiday work. Location This position is located at the I-40 West Welcome Center, Haywood County. Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences Applicants who possess the following qualifications may receive management preference: Ability to provide customer service-focused hospitality to the traveling public. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, MS Excel, and Internet search engines. Experience providing information about North Carolina's attractions, events, accommodations, recreational opportunities, history, and geographic features. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with the public through oral and written communication while assisting visitors with travel-related inquiries. Salary Range *Recruitment Range: $31,200 - $37,433* Contract and Benefits This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement. Incentives of NC State Employment We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna

Supplemental Benefits including: Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans WeSave Employee Discounts Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Employment Types Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Supplemental and Contact Information The North Carolina Department of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. Commerce does not provide employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment. Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax by the vacancy closing date. Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22. Our Agency uses the OSHR Recruiting and Posting of Vacancies Policy to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. All applicants must complete and submit a state application for employment using the Careers with the State of NC portal. Re-Entry for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Our Agency supports the Governor's Executive Order 303 which seeks to re-employ individuals that were previously incarcerated. Formerly incarcerated individuals are invited to apply for any vacant Commerce position(s) in which they believe they are qualified.

Minimum Education and Experience: High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement: The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices. Application Closing Date The posting will close and stop accepting applications at 11:59 pm on the night prior to the closing date posted above. All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.