PRIMARY PURPOSE OF JOB

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the central point of contact and responsibility for all diverse tourism-related activities, projects, and issues for the City and Borough of Sitka (“CBS”). This includes coordinating all activities and entities involved in public outreach, planning, permitting, operations and maintenance, monitoring, and reporting to advance community goals on tourism.

Under the supervision of the Planning and Community Development Director, the Tourism Manager exercises considerable independent judgement and discretion as a professional with expertise to perform the position’s daily tasks and responsibilities within department established policies and procedures.

The Tourism Manager assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Planning & Community Development Director, Municipal Administrator, Assembly, and other department heads to formulate, determine, or effectuate management policies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Participates in the development and oversees the implementation of tourism goals, objectives, policies, and priorities

Plans and leads public processes to evaluate impacts from tourism and inform long-term decision making on tourism-related issues

Coordinates internal tourism communications, policies, processes, initiatives, and projects

Participates in meetings with local businesses, non-profit organizations, community groups, professional associations, the cruise industry, and other governmental agencies

Oversees and enforces tourism permitting and other regulatory requirements

Develops and manages contracts with organizations providing tourism-related services

Works proactively to address potential opportunities or challenges based on new trends and developments in the tourism industry

Serves as the staff liaison to the Tourism Commission

Performs other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Tourism and the cruise industry operational characteristics, services, and activities

Recent developments and trends in the Southeast Alaska visitor industry

Regulatory frameworks pertaining to the visitor industry

Skills:

Operating a personal computer using standard software, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe Pro, and customized software

Dealing with a variety of people with various, and sometimes competing interests, calmly and professionally, to inform and de-escalate potential or actual conflict

Maintaining positive working relationships with others both internal and external to the organization

Speaking and presenting technical information for the purposes of educating and explaining tourism-related issues to different groups

Conducting public outreach and engagement

Writing policies and procedures

Performing research and data analytics

Ability to:

Recognize and maintain confidential information

Communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language

Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures and instructions

Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations

Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions

Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines. Quickly learn and put to use newly acquired skills and knowledge

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

HS Diploma or GED; Bachelor degree in business, hospitality, planning, public administration, or related field preferred; and

Five years of experience working in a position which deals with planning, analysis, or management related to the visitor and travel industry; and

Experience with cruise tourism, in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest strongly preferred; and

Experience working with elected officials, advisory boards, and citizen or business groups; or

Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS OR EXPECTATIONS

Will be expected to work some evenings

May be expected to work some weekends

Will be expected to travel outside of Sitka

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Working Conditions:

Primarily works in a general office setting or meeting rooms

Occasionally works outdoors, often in inclement weather and working around vehicles and equipment such as large busses, flatbed trucks carrying street barricades, machinery that services temporary restroom facilities, and portable restrooms

Specific Physical Requirements:

Regularly operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination using a computer and keyboard

Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time either in front of computer or a group

Occasional bending, climbing, stooping, reaching and twisting

Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up 20 pounds with or without the assistance of proper equipment

General Physical Requirements:

Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate effectively

Sufficient vision which permits the employee to perform assigned tasks and function in general office and meeting room environments

Sufficient manual dexterity, which permits the employee to operate computers and related equipment and prepare handwritten work

Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permits the employee to function in a general office environment and visit various CBS worksites

Please apply through the City & Borough of Sitka website.