Front Desk Agent - Charlestowne Hotels

ABOUT DEER PATH INN

For over 85 years, the Deer Path Inn has set the standard for exceptional dining and hotel accommodations on Chicago’s North Shore. The historic hotel was styled after a 15th century English manor house, the inn’s thick oak beams and warm stucco walls have long been a landmark of hospitality and local charm in the Lake Forest community.

Now, having completed a true floor-to-ceiling renaissance, we have brought the finest 21st century amenities to our historic Lake Forest hotel, while preserving all the romantic character of its classic English architecture. We believe you’ll find the unique combination of new amenities and Old World charm and service nothing short of brilliant.

SUMMARY: The Front Desk Agent is responsible for providing quality guest services that include registration and check-out, PBX operations, mail and message service. The Front Desk Agent must be accurate with daily accounting procedures.

The essential hospitality standards must be used at all times: eye contact, smile, speak first, engage in polite conversation, use the guest surname!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide high level of customer service
• Conduct pre-assignment of hotel rooms, which includes VIPS, repeat guests, all packages, and any special requests.
• Check in and out hotel guests in a confident, professional and friendly manner.
• Answer all phone calls promptly and knowledgeably, always ensuring complete and accurate information.
• Complete all items on appropriate (AM, PM, Third Shift) checklist by end of shift.
• Follow established key control policy.
• Ensures that yourself as a front desk employee are well presented (uniforms, personal hygiene etc.)
• Ensure proper credit policies are followed and verify credit limit report.
• Submit all lost & found articles accompanied by a completed lost & found report.
• Knowledgeable of immediate area, services, attractions, and events and assist with Concierge services.
• Knowledgeable of fire and emergency procedures.
• Open, secure, and balance out daily shift bank which involves counting and verifying cash, check, and credit card transactions occurring while on duty.
• Monitor room availability throughout the day.
• Review daily the selling status of the hotel using yield management system.
• Attend department meeting once a month.
• Performs all other duties as directed by immediate supervisor.
• Contact with other departments such as Sales, Housekeeping, Bell Staff, and Valet is crucial to ensure that hotel services are coordinated to provide the best in guest satisfaction.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and six months to one year related experience and/or training.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from guests.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Ability to operate the Property Management System, capture email, and use the PBX system. Must always be accountable for balancing the daily shift bank and maintain organization and demonstrate quality service.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk, or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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