OCEAN - 1st Housekeeper

JOB DESCRIPTION

1st HOUSEKEEPER

Viking was founded in 1997 and has grown to be the leading small ship travel company, offering destination-focused river, ocean and expedition voyages on all seven continents. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests The Thinking Person’s Cruise® in contrast to mainstream cruises.

With more than 250 awards to its name, the company currently operates a fleet of state-of-the-art ships that have received numerous accolades since their launch from industry experts and travelers alike. For the second year in a row, Viking was voted the #1 River Line and the #1 Ocean Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking was also named #1 for both Rivers and Oceans by Travel + Leisure in the 2022 World’s Best Awards making it the only cruise line to reach the top of its categories in both publications in the same year.

A VIKING LEADERSHIP ROLE

As a Viking Shipboard Leader, you represent Viking’s values and leadership philosophy (Hávamál). You are a hospitality professional who demonstrates passion for excellence, who takes ownership for your areas of responsibility, and who believes in empowering your team with the skills, knowledge and tools to succeed. You are an exceptional role model for the Viking Family and have strong motivation to achieve the company’s goals and objectives. You are flexible, stress resistant, focused, and a truly committed team member.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

• The 1st Housekeeper assists the Executive Housekeeper in the efficient & safe organization and operation of the housekeeping department.
• Provide support and cover for the Executive Housekeeper during absence.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the daily activities of the Asst. Chief Housekeepers and housekeeping personnel. 
• Prepare and revise work schedules and submit to Exec. Housekeeper for final approval.
• Monitor daily work performance of the Asst. Chief Housekeepers and Housekeeping personnel, enforce that all work performance meets VOC standard.
• Prepare and submit performance appraisals for the Asst. Chief Housekeepers and review performance appraisals for housekeeping personnel before submitting it to the Executive Housekeeper for review.
• Consult, guide, and administrate disciplinary procedure when and if required. All performance evaluations and disciplinary issues are to be reviewed by the Executive Housekeeper prior being issued or administered.   
• Daily communication with the Executive Housekeeper to update on operation and concerns and serve as liaison between Exec Housekeeper, Asst. Chief Housekeepers, and housekeeping team.
• Provide development opportunities and shadowing for the Crew and assist in covering for shortages in the managerial team as required.
• Organize, supervise, and ensure proper handling of luggage.
• Provide and coordinate follow-up on functionalities and technical issues related to guest stateroom areas, public areas, guest self-service laundry, crew areas and facilities.
• Ensure inventory are carried out as per assign schedule.
• Prepare, review, and check all relevant reports, documents, logs, checklists, Public Health and safety logs, and any other paperwork necessary for the operation of the department, and ensure their accuracy.
• Monitor par levels of all lockers within the relevant working areas and ensure that sufficient supplies are available for the Stateroom Host; arrange for the collection of general store items as per the schedule and ensure that all items are properly distributed to lockers within the relevant working areas; complete the weekly general supply requisition and submit the requisition for approval.
• Inform the Executive Housekeeper of any Guest related issues, resolving these issues according to Viking’s STAR Service Standards; follow up on any special requests from Guests.
• Regularly conduct random inspections including Guest Staterooms, public areas, corridors and lockers to ensure that these areas are according to company policies and procedures and employee health and fire/chemical safety. Any damages/malfunctions found during such inspection must be corrected accordingly and reported to the Executive Housekeeper.
• Lead and support a multi-cultural team, maximizing crew satisfaction, productivity and retention.
• Meet with Team Leaders on a daily basis for “The Daily Reunion”, to provide feedback & operational updates as well as to ensure that your department is performing to Viking’s STAR Service Standards.
• Provide the highest level of comfort and service to Guests and consistently maintain an impeccable standard of cleanliness and hygiene in all areas, as per Viking’s STAR Service Standards and all Public Health Policies; manage service according to Guest flow, embarkation & disembarkation, sea day activities & other activities.
• Provide competent leadership to all direct reports. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Conducting performance reviews, including discipline as needed, ensuring Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) compliance and onboard training, succession planning, crew communication and recognition.
• Ensure you always wear the appropriate and task specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required for your duties onboard. Always use correct lifting techniques to prevent injuries.
• Uphold impeccable grooming standards within your team at all times by complying with Viking’s Image and Uniform Standards.
• Ensure that company property is appropriately secured and protected, especially during rough weather conditions, in order to prevent unnecessary loss or damage.
• Demonstrates outstanding flexibility: able to work at different times of the day, under pressure and reflect a positive can-do attitude and the best image of Viking at all times.
• Become knowledgeable and ensure your team are knowledgeable about itinerary-related ports of call, shore excursions and shipboard activities such as events, entertainment and programs.
• Positively contribute to achieving/succeeding Housekeeping KPI goals (quality & financial).
• Have full knowledge about safety & security procedures and can operate in line with all Public Health, Environmental and Safety & Security Policies; participate in all training concerning onboard training, safety & security, fire prevention, evacuation exercises as required by the company
• Prepare for & participate in all Public Health inspections onboard.

This document describes the primary activities, duties and responsibilities of this position. Your manager or supervisor may assign additional duties and responsibilities to you.

YOUR PROFILE

• A required minimum of 2 years plus experience as an 1st Housekeeper or similar position, within a 5 Star hospitality environment, and experience with ship operations of 500+ staterooms required; must have experience in leading a multi-cultural team.
• Fluent in English - must be able to address any kind of information in an adequate manner with excellent oral English communication skills – the ability to speak an additional language is an advantage.
• Guest-focused, service-oriented, positive personality, professional appearance and impeccable hygiene standards are required; team builder with exceptional motivational skills and coaching ability is required; must have a keen eye for cleanliness and attention to detail.
• Must be proficient with PC based databases, spread sheets, and word processing systems.
• Must be flexible and stress resistant, team player, shows commitment.
• Business Administration or Hotel Management degree is preferred.
• Must have excellent knowledge of all Public Health Policies.
• Strong knowledge of housekeeping chemicals, equipment, sanitation processes & procedures
• Strong knowledge of Human Resources procedures and their applications.
• Ability to lead and motivate a diverse crew.
• Exceptional Training and guest interaction skills

GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS

• Implement Standard Operating Procedures & STAR Service Standards within the department.
• Ensure appropriate appearance and clothing according to Viking’s Image and Uniform Standards.
• The company reserves the right to change/extend this job description if necessary, at any point of time during her/his employment.

Position:                                             1st Housekeeper                            

Supervisor:                                        Executive Housekeeper

Direct reports:                                  Assistant Chief Housekeepers

Line manager:                                   Executive Housekeeper

APPLICATION AND JOB RELEVANT INFORMATION

Our roles will be subject to our appearance standards (including in relation to visible tattoos) and employees are expected to project a professional image at all times. Visible tattoos are not permitted. Tattoos concealed with make-up, skin-colored sleeves or any covering other than the company uniform will still be considered visible for the purposes of our appearance standards. Exemptions to this may be considered on a case-by-case basis where appropriate. Tattoo removal may not result in successful employment and therefore is not encouraged and is the candidate’s personal decision. Furthermore, any offer of employment is subject to you passing all mandatory medical examinations as required by the company. After submitting your CV, we might ask you to introduce yourself with a personal video recording. We always encourage our candidates to take this step to add their personality to any written application. Please note, however, that this step is optional and not a mandatory part of the recruiting process. For further information, please refer to our Recruitment Guidelines.

DISCLAIMER
As part of any recruitment process, Viking collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. We are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use that data and to meeting our data protection obligations. If you would like to find out more about how your information will be used, please view the privacy notice on our careers page.