POSITION TITLE: Storyteller

FLSA: Nonexempt

POSITION REPORTS TO: Events Director

POSITION PURPOSE: The Storyteller is the central character in the company’s Night Before Christmas Train and other similar guest experiences. As such, the Storyteller is directly responsible for portraying an authentic character through the delivery and retelling of a classic story, all the while ensuring a positive experience for guests through themed re-enactment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
The Storyteller is required to:
1. Convincingly portray a character as prescribed for the Event.
2. Act as a car host, enthusiastically and respectfully welcoming passengers aboard his/her railcar.
3. Interact and entertain guests before departure and throughout the ride.
4. Present the memorized story with authenticity, animation, and clarity for the entire audience in the railcar.
5. Serve beverages and snacks to guests in conjunction with the Event.
6. Be able to lift 50lbs.
7. Maintain a clean railcar and attend to the trash as needed.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS:
1. Neat, clean, and authentic appearance subscribing to the dress code prescribed by the Event, paying close attention historic details.
2. Courteous and kind relations with guests, including the ability to solve problems and meet the immediate needs of customers.
3. Demonstrated ability to engage and entertain guests for the
duration of the guest experience.
4. Consistent eagerness to serve the guests with a joyful and positive attitude.
5. High guest satisfaction.
6. Positive and effective relations with co-workers.
7. Timely work attendance and adherence to the worker replacement policy. Storyteller must arrive one hour before train departure.

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Ability to positively interact with people – guests and co-workers alike.
2. Enthusiasm providing exemplary guest service.
3. Capacity to clearly project his/her voice, articulating a memorized story.
4. Ability to dramatically assume the role of a storyteller, becoming a character central to the guest experience.
5. Flexibility and ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances.
6. Competency working with a simple Public Address system.
7. Willingness to accept feedback and strive toward maximum guest satisfaction.
8. Punctuality.
9. Must be 18 years of age or older and walk steady on a moving railcar.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Training for this position will be on-the-job.
2. Length of shift varies but is generally from 2 to 4 hours based on Strasburg Rail Road's hours of operation.
3. Work is primarily within the confines of one (1) railcar, though some time will be spent out of doors. The railcar is one of several on a moving train.
4. No specific meal break is provided. A restroom is available on the train if needed.
5. Smoking is not permitted while you are in the public domain area of the railroad.
6. Must be able to work well under pressure.
7. If a situation arises where help is needed, a 2-way radio is provided so that the proper individuals can be summoned to render assistance.

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 be contacted in order to change shifts on the schedule. 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.