Employment

We're almost fully staffed for the 2012 season, but take a look at all the details here in case you would like to apply now for any last openings.  Our required qualifications and expectations are substantial, but if you think you have what it takes to join our team, we’d love to hear from you.

There are two positions for which we begin taking applications over the winter (please note different email addresses for applications depending on the position):

• Shop Staff
• Tour Guide

Shop Staff

We are looking for young, energetic staff to join our fantastic team for the 2012 season. We have 2 locations in Berlin and you will be required to work at both our TV Tower and Zoo Station locations.

What we want:

• FLUENT English and German speakers only (additional languages a bonus)
• Great customer service skills along with the ability to work both individually and in a team environment
• Computer literacy and POS experience
• Persons comfortable on and around bikes
• Flexibility and the willingness to work hard in the busy season including weekends
• A sound knowledge of Berlin and the tourism industry
• Must have valid visa if not an EU citizen.

If you think you have what it takes then just email your cover letter and CV to info@fattirebiketoursberlin.com. Good luck!

Tour Guide

Guiding tours with us is a highly sought after position demanding lots of previous knowledge, a strong desire to continue learning, very flexible work hours, and a strong sense of team pride. 

As the leader of our tours, you’re expected to be a powerful presenter and confident public speaker.  You should have no problems building a rapport with people from all walks of life.  On any given tour you may have an elderly Dutch couple, a Belgian family, a couple New Yorkers, a few Kiwis, some recent US college graduates, etc - you should be able to relate with all of them individually and make them feel like part of a cohesive group as you conduct the tour. 

You should also be able to deal with adversity without showing signs of stress.  Flat tires and other bike issues are unfortunately occasionally part of the job, and fixing them quickly on the fly is part of your job.  Also, while we love sunny days, you’re bound to do many tours in the howling wind and pouring rain.  Regardless, you have to have a game face on at all times.

Qualifications include:

• University graduate with an applicable degree in history (preferably European or German), German language, political science, etc. A bachelor degree is a minimum, with graduate work or degree preferred.
• Very strong knowledge of German and Berlin history.  What you do not yet know we can help teach you, but you should be very familiar with 20th Century German history.  You should also be able to parse this history in palatable chunks that people can grasp and take with them.
• Previous experience traveling to and living in Berlin.  Please note that we do not hire anyone who has not spent considerable time in Berlin!
• Working knowledge of German.  We prefer that you’re fluent, but you should at least be able to communicate with locals as you encounter them during the tour.  By the way, you MUST be a native English-speaker.  No exceptions.
• Flexible work hours.  We are primarily looking for people available full-time, and at least from March through the end of October.  Please note that we do NOT hire anyone that is only passing through for a few months.  You must be completely available throughout the entire summer and exceptionally motivated to work very hard during these months.
• Strong desire to help grow the company.  We’re a small team from all walks of life and we spend lots of time together outside of work enjoying all that Berlin has to offer.  You should be social, friendly, have a great sense of humor, and possess a vivacious disposition.
• Humor! We want you to explain history in a way that keeps people’s attention and helps them understand what makes Berlin so unique.  You should be an entertainer as well as a historian.
• Familiarity with bikes.  While you’re not expected to be a complete mechanic, you should have no problems hanging bikes before/after the tour into racks in our shop, flipping them over and getting your hands dirty while on the tour, fixing flat tires, “doubling” a bike back to the shop, etc. Dainty people need not apply.
• Ability to work in Germany.  We can only accept candidates who already possess either an EU passport, or German Work and Residence Permits.
• Training!  We will start training for new staff during the first months of 2012, so we need folks that are able to jump right into action.

So yes, basically we’re looking for a few superstars! 

If you’re interested in working as a Tour Guide, please send ALL of the following to employment@fattirebiketours.com:

• Resume
• Cover letter with dates of availability
• Status of Citizenship / German Work Permission
• Photo
• When you can start working

Please note that during the winter months we do not check this email account on a daily basis.  It may well take a few days for us to get back to you. Good Luck!