Discover Canada Tours - Join the Team!
Operations Assistant (Co-Op Available)
Description
Location: Downtown Vancouver (In-Person)
Schedule: Full-time, Part-time (flexible schedule)
Term: Seasonal – May through September (start and end dates can be flexible and accommodating, especially for co-op students)
Compensation: $18.25/hour
Spend your summer sharing the best of Western Canada with the world!
Discover Canada Tours – a family-owned, Canadian, and preferred tour operator for World Cup 2026 by Destination British Columbia – is hiring energetic and friendly Departure Coordinator to help create smooth departures for our tours. Whether it’s a day trip to Whistler, a scenic escape to Victoria, or a multi-day journey through the Canadian Rockies, you’ll help visitors craft amazing memories while gaining valuable experience in the tourism industry.
Reporting to the Operations Manager the Operations Assistant is responsible for supporting the daily operations of tours by ensuring all logistical tasks, such as tour bags, passenger lists, and equipment are properly prepared and organized. This role involves assisting the Operations Supervisor, Fleet & Day Tour Operations Supervisor, and Operations Coordinators with tour logistics, supplier coordination, and inventory management. Additionally, the Operations Assistant will support various brands and departments in executing special projects and tasks. You will need to be detail-oriented, organized, and adaptable, with strong communication and problem-solving skills to help maintain smooth tour operations and enhance the client experience.
What You’ll Be Doing:
Tour Coordination & Logistics
- Destination Coordination: Assist operations team with destinations as assigned, including creating itineraries, calling suppliers, booking activities, meal reservations and organizing passenger, rooming and activity lists.
- Assist with Tour Logistics: Check over weekly ferry, guide, and bus dispatch sheets ensuring reservations are correct.
- Updating Live Guide Schedule & Master Trip List: Ensure conflicts are identified and communicated to the Operations Manager.
- Booking System Support: Assist with loading and adjusting tour information in the booking system, ensuring accuracy.
Tour Guide Support & Client Experience
- Tour Bag Preparation – Assist in developing and organizing tour materials (passenger lists, waivers, vouchers, expense forms, bus signs, etc.):
- Pre-tour: Review and update documented guidelines for tour bag preparation, train Operations interns, conduct quality checks, and maintain ticket/voucher inventory.
- Post-tour: Ensure guides return bags on time, check contents, follow up on missing items, and coordinate charges for lost materials with accounting.
- Departures Coordination: Bring required tour information and supplies to departure locations, assist with guest check-in, manage waiver forms, contact late arrivals, and manage crowd control.
- Tour Bag Support: Drop off and collect tour bags from guides and the operations team.
- Assistant Tour Guide and Chaperone Roles: Travel on tours as required to gain product knowledge.
Operational Support & Administration
- Support the Sales Team: Be available for shift work at the sales booths (based on the sales booths’ schedule) and in school with presentations and promotions.
- Accounting Support: Process credit card payments to ensure accuracy within the booking system.
- General Office Duties: Answer the phones, make bookings, assist walk-in clients, handle customer service inquiries, photocopying, and manage general info emails.
- Data Input & Administration: Assist with maintaining records, entering data, and supporting office operations.
- Inventory Management: Track tour supplies, equipment, and clothing, ensuring timely returns and addressing missing items.
Fleet & Yard
- Maintain cleanliness of all DCT-occupied areas.
- Maintain and track tour supplies, equipment, and clothing, ensuring proper returns and taking action on missing items.
- Organize, pack, and clean camping equipment, ensuring proper loading/unloading and checking for damage.
- Manage tour food inventory, supply shopping, vehicle packing, and client BBQ setup/cleanup.
Other Support Duties
- West Trek Support: Assist the West Trek team with other sales and promotional initiatives as requested to support customer interactions.
- Event & Promotional Assistance: Help organize and implement special events, sell tickets for activities (e.g., boat cruises, theme parties), and assist with West Trek Club nights when needed.
- Leadership & Enthusiasm: Represent Discover Canada Tours professionally, promote a positive company image, and communicate in English at all times.
Here are The Must-Have Qualifications:
- Legally eligible to work in Canada. Candidates must hold valid work authorization for the duration of the role.
- An interest to work in operations, logistics, hospitality, or customer service (tourism industry experience is an asset).
- Previous experience coordinating events, group travel, or large-scale customer-facing activities preferred.
- Experience with booking systems, scheduling, or CRM software is an asset.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working with guests, guides, suppliers, and internal teams.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, manifests, and logistical coordination.
- Ability to remain calm and solution-focused when managing last-minute changes or operational challenges.
- Physically able to manage departure set-up, supplies, and equipment (up to 30 lbs).
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License (or equivalent) is an asset.
- First Aid and CPR certification is an asset.
- Clean Criminal Record Check with the Vulnerable sector is an asset.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
- Proactive problem-solver with the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
How We Picture You:
- Take full responsibility for your role, proactively identifying opportunities to improve processes and enhance the guest experience.
- Willing to go above and beyond to ensure smooth operations, accurate logistics, and exceptional service delivery.
- Communicate effectively in English, fostering positive relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and tour guides. Ability to influence and build trust while working across departments.
- Work well in a team environment, promoting a positive and supportive culture within the operations department and among tour guides. Be the kind of colleague people enjoy working with, open to sharing knowledge and seeking growth opportunities.
- Stay calm under pressure, make sound decisions, and effectively manage stressful situations, particularly during peak seasons.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask, manage tight deadlines, and adapt to an evolving operational environment. Strong ability to prioritize tasks and maintain accuracy.
- Enjoy working independently, thinking outside the box, and finding innovative solutions to challenges.
- Provide ongoing support for tour guides, ensuring they have the tools and information needed to deliver outstanding guest experiences.
- Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, particularly during peak operational periods, and collaborate effectively to navigate challenges.
- Enthusiastic, optimistic, energetic, and self-motivated, with a strong desire to contribute to the success of the team and company.
- Commitment to Discover Canada Tours’ policies, procedures, objectives and core values
Who This Role is Perfect For:
- Students or emerging professionals looking for real-world tourism experience
- Folks who are outgoing, energetic, and comfortable having conversations with strangers
- Confident communicators who loves helping others
- People who are familiar with – or eager to learn fast about - destinations like Whistler, Victoria, and the Canadian Rockies
Why Work With Us:
- Fun, team-oriented environment with an adventurous spirit
- Be part of a Canadian-owned company with over 20 years of success in tourism
- Eligibility to exclusive access to FAM trips – see the tours you’re selling!
- Travel perks and discounts across our brands and partners
- Room to grow in one of Western Canada’s fastest-growing adventure travel companies
- Access to on-site fitness facilities.
Our Core Values:
- Teamwork is Dreamwork!
- Go the Extra Mile!
- Have Fun Doing It!
- Be Good, Do Good!
- Explore with Confidence!
Ready to Apply?
Send us your resume and a brief cover note or paragraph sharing why you’d make a great fit. If you love travel, thrive on energy, and want to help others make the most of their time in Canada, this could be the perfect summer gig for you!
Compensation
$18.25 per hour