The Expedition Leader manages all activities during Atlas Ocean Voyagesâ expeditions. They oversee the safety of the Atlas Ocean Voyages staff and passengers to ensure a seamless operation for all. The EL will work with the Core Team to provide leadership and guidance during challenging decisions. Working with the Expedition Team, the EL will manage all Zodiac, safety, bear safety, firearm handling and glacier operations to provide a safe experience for passengers during onshore excursions.
The Expedition Leader will work with the Cruise Director to synchronize the onboard and onshore programming. They will communicate any changes to the itinerary made to the Cruise Director to provide necessary information to the passengers and staff. The Expedition Leader Works closely with the Captain, bridge staff and Assistant Expedition Leader to determine the best itinerary for the expedition while managing all challenges that may arise. The EL has exemplary leadership, team building, management, and customer service skills. He/she manages program safety policy and procedures, and is well versed on destination topics including, history, culture and natural surroundings. The EL has a solid background in interpretive program development, group outdoor adventure leadership skills, and cooperative management skills. The Expedition Leader communicates all zodiac cruising and onshore excursion information to the passengers in a clear and friendly manner.
General Duties
- Manage a team of expedition guides effectively and professionally, ensuring smooth cooperation with the captain, crew, and hotel department
- Organize and execute passenger activities safely and effectively
- Manages programming and scheduling for off vessel excursions, and communicates this to the guests and crew in an easy to understand, timely and well documented manner
- Assignment of Duties - Operations office team will provide a preliminary duties list that the CD and EL can modify based on trip needs
- Ensures all activities follow safety policies put in place by the vesselâs officers and from within Atlas Ocean Voyagesâ Standard Operating Procedures.
- In conjunction with the Cruise Director â the EL oversees the execution of the daily program
- Responsible for the delivery of timely departures/arrivals, safe and informative excursions, professional and educational interpretation in the field, zodiac operation and firearms maintenance
- Supervises, trains, schedules, coaches and formally evaluates all expedition staff
- In conjunction with the Assistant Expedition Leader manages all administrative tasks assigned to the Expedition department including: Maintaining permit requirements, bike, bear, and zodiac safety orientations, completing the expedition daily report, reporting to the Atlas Ocean Voyages/Mystic Cruises operation department in Porto
- Liaise with the shipâs Captain, Safety Officer and Boatswain to safely, effectively and efficiently load and unload passengers into zodiacs
- Communicates with the vesselâs officers and Atlas Ocean Voyagesâ operations regarding routing, destinations, embarkation/disembarkation, changes in itinerary and other special circumstances
- Oversees the scouting of potential landing sites
- Maintains professional demeanor with guests, crew, staff, agents, officials, and the public
- Maintains communication with the AOV/MC office and updates changes to the schedule and program
- Works with the Captain and bridge staff to discuss ice movement, tide and other circumstances related to the ships navigation
- Communicates with Cruise Director and gangway team to relay necessary information from shore to ship
- Compile and send the Post Visit Reports (PVR) and any other operational forms necessary to the relevant entities
- Ensure all equipment required for the excursions is prepared & loaded / offloaded, properly cleaned and maintained and bio-secured if operating in an area that it requires
- Elaborate / fill out daily toolbox chat with relevant data (i.e. coordinates, wind/swell conditions, etcâŠ)
- In the Arctic region, ensure that Firearm Maintenance and Safety Protocols are strictly followed to the highest standards
- Socialize with guests on a regular basis with special care given to dining with different guests
- Head the department
- Post-visit report to all stakeholders
- Liaise and cooperate with third parties ashore: local communities, stakeholders, and suppliers
- Full budget and reporting responsibility for the onboard department
- Liaise and provide strong guidance to onboard management when it comes to above duties
- Identify and carry-out training needs in the team
- Represent Atlas Ocean Voyages in industry organization working groups and committees
- Safeguard compliance with industry guidelines and regulations
- Convey insights about destinations, its history, culture, nature and wildlife in a credible but easy and entertaining way