Cultural Interpreter - Iceland

Skills & Requirements

Duties and responsibilities:

• Prepare thoroughly for the voyages and destinations by undertaking research about the area, completing online assessments and training as required.
• Contribute to the development of destination-specific “core” lectures as requested and personalize for presentation when required.
• Provide an overview of your lectures, tiny talks, discovery sessions, and storytelling prior to embarking to enable proper planning and have all provided presentations and sessions ready.
• Within your field of expertise, give valuable input on how the guests’ experience can be improved. Pro-actively come up with new ideas for activities or contributions to the Daily Program. Collaborate closely with the Expedition management team in doing so.
• Have sufficient basic knowledge of other relevant subjects to interpret your surroundings for guests while ashore even if it is not your core expertise.
• Take all opportunities to engage with guests with passion and enthusiasm, particularly about your subject matter and expertise, both onboard and ashore.
• Assist with general on-board day-to-day duties, such as distribution and maintenance of equipment, entertaining guests, desk duty, information wall duties, social media posts etc.
• Lead history strolls together with the historian, to further engage with guests and share your knowledge.
• Assist with landing operations and accompany guests on shore excursions.
• Join activities such as hikes or strolls as guide.
• Drive expedition boats (e.g., zodiacs). In-house training is available, if not yet experienced.
• Carry out duties as a wildlife guard (e.g., Polar Bear, Muskox) and carry a firearm, if required. In-house training is available, if not yet experienced.

About you:

• Enthusiastic to share experience with others.
• Able to connect and explain area in an understandable fashion.
• You take all opportunities to engage guests with passion about your subject matter and expertise, both onboard and ashore. Storytelling is second nature to you.
• As a people person you will quickly form close working relationships with your team members and other departments.
• You are a quick learner, and patient.
• You take initiative and have a proactive and creative nature.
• You have the ability to share your energy and enthusiasm with guests and team even in adverse situations.
• You are capable of working under stressful conditions.

Education and experience required:

• Native from or experienced with traditions and the culture of Iceland.
• Experienced lecturer and storyteller.
• Essential to speak and write fluent English.
• Desirable to speak fluent German, French, Chinese or a Scandinavian language.
• Desirable to have qualifications or relevant experience in polar boating and operations in areas where polar bears are found.

What you will get in return:

• An exciting contractual role with one of the strongest brands within expedition tourism.
• A unique opportunity to explore the Arctic.
• Challenging and interesting work with an expedition team and travellers who share your desire to learn and explore.
• A job that will broaden your competencies and knowledge as you work with a diverse team and across many activities.