Strasburg Rail Road

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Car Host
FLSA: Non-exempt
RETIREMENT: 401k/Roth
SALARY: $13.00/hr
POSITION REPORTS TO: Stationmaster

POSITION PURPOSE:  The Car Host at the Strasburg Rail Road is a key Team Member of the Guest Experience Team. The Car Host provides valuable front-line interaction with Guests and is responsible for giving direct service to Guests by offering guidance, information, and assistance aboard the train. The Car Host may assist the Agents, Red Caps, and Trainmen (Conductors and Brakemen) with groups, families, and individual travelers. The Car Host is charged with serving the Guest and enhancing the Guest Experience aboard the train. Satisfactory performance in this position is a prerequisite for promotion to Train & Engine Service (T&E) occupations at the Strasburg Rail Road Company.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Be exceedingly familiar with the railroad’s operation, being able to effectively answer questions, educate Guests about the railroad, and encourage them to make the most of their visit.
• Aware of arriving tour groups and charters and ready to greet them upon arrival.
• Attend to guests’ needs and concerns on the train through exemplary customer service.
• Intentionally engage and interact with Guests as our invitees to a unique and social experience.
• Deliver live onboard commentary through Public Address, as necessary.
• Collect and/or scan tickets across all accommodations, as necessary.
• Monitor for spills or messes, and cleanup as soon as possible and/or contact Grounds Maintenance when additional support is needed.
• Assist the Conductor and Brakemen, when appropriate and qualified to do so.
• Assumption of Red Cap duties as needed.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

• Neat and clean appearance subscribing to the uniform requirements found in the SRC Employee Handbook and the subordinate Station Department’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
• Consistently positive and effective relations with our guests, including the ability to solve problems and meet their immediate needs.
• Attentiveness and prompt reaction to ensure cleanliness of the train and property, and to address Guest needs or conflicts.
• Positive and effective relations with co-workers.
• Timely work attendance and adherence to Strasburg Rail Road’s worker replacement policy.
• Clear and respectful communication with Guests, whether person-to-person or via Public Address.

• Fun, outgoing personality with a positive attitude.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances.
• Ability to stand/walk for the majority of a 4- to 6-hour shift.
• Though not required, an interest in history and/or railroading is a plus.
• Willingness to work a minimum requirement of 2 to 3 days per calendar month, including weekend shifts, subject to the railroad’s operational schedule.

• The Car Host position is part-time and seasonal.
• Training for this position will be on-the-job.
• The length of the shift is typically 4 to 6 hours. Some shifts may be shorter or longer, based on the company’s seasonal operational hours.
• Duties entail work at an active railroad.
• Must be able to stand/walk on a moving train. Must be able to stand/walk in outdoor conditions.
• Work is subject to varied weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, and wind.
• Breaks are on-the-job, as time and duties permit.
• Use of electronic equipment, including 2-way radio, mobile tablet or scanning devices, and audio delivery systems.
• Smoking is prohibited while in the railroad’s public domain areas.

SCHEDULE CHANGES AND WORKER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

At the Strasburg Rail Road Company, employees are responsible for the shifts for which they are scheduled.  If an employee is unable to work a shift for which they are scheduled, the employee is responsible for finding their own replacement for the scheduled shift. Employees will be provided with a roster, including the names and telephone numbers of employees eligible to replace them on the schedule. In special circumstances, shift changes may require supervisor approval, but generally, the supervisor need not approve the changes on the schedule. Any changes in shift responsibilities shall be made on the Departmental and/or Master Schedule or the employee who is originally placed on the master schedule will be held fully accountable, should a position remain un-staffed for a shift.

INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTION

Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are also essential to an effective appraisal system and related promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination decisions. Well-constructed job descriptions are an integral part of any effective compensation system. All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.  EEOC Employer.