Join Our Team

Become a Dark Sky Guide!

Are you looking for a totally unique, out-of-this-world summer job ? Join our team and become a Dark Sky Guide! During your time with us, you will enhance the visitor experience in Waterton Lakes National Park; increase awareness of DSG and its business operations; educate visitors about the growing dark sky conservation movement; facilitate opportunities for travelers interested in the burgeoning field of astrotourism, and ultimately have an enjoyable, memorable work experience that occurs after the sky becomes dark.

Update February 15, 2025: We are currently looking to grow our team and are actively looking to fill both Tour Guide and Planetarium Host positions.

What is a Dark Sky Guide?

Working as a tour guide, or planetarium host (or both!) will be a unique experience that will likely be different than other jobs you may have had in the past. A large chunk of your work day (err, night), will occur after the sun has set. And while this may take some getting used to (your circadian rhythm may have to adjust a bit), this job will hopefully offer up an exciting work-life balance (at least, we see it this way: being able to sleep in, go for a late-morning / early-afternoon adventure, and earn money stargazing with tourists and travelers after dark).

Part of being a Dark Sky Guide is being passionate about the night sky (or the natural environment in general) and wanting to share that enthusiasm with people who are already having the time of their life traveling through Waterton Lakes National Park.

Another part of being a Dark Sky Guide is having a desire to learn (and continue learning). We offer all the training you will need to be prepared, confident and comfortable to be a part of, and eventually lead your own tour groups.

So, get ready! There is information to learn; exciting people to meet; beautiful skies to observe; meteors to be glimpsed; Auroras to gaze at in awe; and perhaps even a few gratuities to be earned along the way!

But remember, being a tour guide also has a serious side. You will be responsible for the safety, and well-being of tour participants. You will be responsible for helping to deliver a world-class, 5-star tour experience. You will be responsible for adopting and embodying the values of DSG. You will be responsible for being an ambassador of DSG. And you will be responsible for being a steward of Waterton Lakes National Park and the dark sky conservation movement.

If this sounds exciting and has piqued your interest, read on for additional information about some of the positions available.

Once you are ready, email your resume to: [email protected]

Job Description: Tour Guide

Tour Guides, whether Novice, Apprentice, or Professional, will assist and/or lead in the delivery of personable, memorable, interpretive nighttime tours that encourage tour participants to foster their own personal connection with the night sky and Waterton Lakes National Park. Ensuring the safety of guests is always top priority.

Starting Wage Range: $18 - $25/hr (depending on the tour guide classification: Novice, Apprentice, or Professional)

Duties & Responsibilities of Apprentice Guides: Note that this list will be different for Novice and Professional Guides - please email us for additional details.

Ensure all company assets and equipment are in proper, functioning, working order, prior to the start of the tour;
Assist with pre-trip inspection of tour bus;
Ensure tour bus is clean and prepared to transport tour participants;
Interact with tour participants, answer participant questions, and address participant concerns throughout the tour, ensuring a high degree of customer service;
Responsible for assisting all participants with boarding and disembarking tour bus;
Assist Professional Tour Guide to provide a memorable interpretive tour commentary, as per the Official Tour Script for each specific tour, provided by DSG;
Operate telescopes and all other stargazing equipment in a safe and professional manner and assist participants in the use of said equipment (training will be provided);
Ensure safety and comfort of tour participants throughout the tour by keeping in mind appropriate group management practices (training will be provided).

Qualifications and Requirements of Apprentice Guides: Note that this list will be different for Novice and Professional Guides - please email us for additional details.

Must possess an Apprentice-Level Waterton-Specific IGA Guide certification from the Interpretive Guides Association;
Must possess (at minimum) a Three-Season Hiking Guide (Group Management) certificate from the Interpretive Guides Association;
Must possess (at minimum) Standard First Aid & CPR-C;
Capable of work and/or travel in varied terrain, outdoor weather conditions, and isolated locations for extended periods of time;
Ability to walk/hike over varied and uneven terrain at a pace of 4km/hr for extended periods of time;
Ability to lift and carry heavy loads (up to 23 kg) from time to time;
Willing and able to work irregular hours, overtime, weekends and/or statutory or provincial holidays when required;
Willing and able to wear DSG branded uniform;
Commitment to learning and becoming a subject matter expert;
Education or experience in Astronomy is an asset;
Background in natural history is an asset;
Previous outdoor adventure experience is an asset;
Customer service experience is an asset;
Public speaking and strong interpersonal skills are an asset.

Job Description: Planetarium Host

Planetarium Hosts will act as charismatic greeters and presenters to welcome, coordinate and organize Waterton Planetarium visitors as they experience the Indoor Dome Planetarium in such a way that participants discover and learn to appreciate the night sky, astronomy and natural history, while also forming personal connections with dark sky spaces.

Starting Wage: $20/hr (base pay rate of $18/hr plus $2/hr contract completion bonus)

Duties & Responsibilities of Planetarium Hosts:

Ensure the Waterton Planetarium (the Falls Interpretive Theater) is properly opened, clean and prepared to receive guests daily;
Ensure Indoor Dome Planetarium is set-up and operational, as per company policies, prior to customers entering the facility;
Greet and properly check-in customers upon arrival;
Utilize Xola reservation system to book, and check-in customers as needed;
Assist with merchandise sales, when requested;
Provide informative, engaging, high-quality customer service;
Provide safety briefing, prior to Show;
Responsible for assisting all customers with entering/exiting Dome Planetarium;
Professionally operate the Planetarium software using the Universal Console, or other control devices, as per company policies;
Provide additional interpretive commentary, as required, based on show;
Ensure safety and comfort of tour participants throughout the show;
Inspect and clean inside Dome Planetarium at the end of every show.

Qualifications and Requirements of Planetarium Hosts:

Willing and able to work in unstructured situations with little to no supervision and/or assistance;
Willing and able to work irregular hours, overtime, weekends and/or statutory or provincial holidays when required;
Ability to lift and carry heavy loads (up to 23 kg) from time to time;
Customer service experience is an asset;
Experience with POS / Online Reservation Systems is an asset
Experience in retail sales is an asset;
Public speaking and strong interpersonal skills are an asset.
Education or experience in Astronomy is an asset;
Background in Technology, Audio/Visual and/or Projector usage is an asset;
Commitment to learning and becoming a subject matter expert;
Willing and able to wear DSG branded uniform.

Do you think you have what it takes?

If you are interested in joining our team, please email a resume to: [email protected]