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Tour Guide

Location: Selma, Alabama (Onsite)
Reports To: Tour Manager
Job Type: Part-time or Full-time (Weekdays, Monday–Saturday; no Sundays)

About Foot Soldiers Park

Foot Soldiers Park (FSP) is a nonprofit organization based in Selma, Alabama, on a mission to fuel the civil rights movement of the past, present, and future as a means to achieve racial justice, economic prosperity, and liberty for all. Founded in 2021 by Selma native, foot soldier, and lifelong civil rights activist Ms. Jo Ann Bland and Founding CEO Kimberly Smitherman, FSP preserves and shares the history and legacy of Selma’s foot soldiers while connecting their courage and contributions to the work of today and the future.

FSP’s work spans five areas of impact: Historic Preservation, Youth, Civic Education and Engagement, Building Wealth, and Whole-Self Health. Historic preservation is brought to life through experiences that connect visitors with the people, places, and events that made Selma central to the Civil Rights Movement.

FSP’s Civil Rights Riding and Walking Tour offers visitors an immersive experience of Selma’s civil rights history, with a particular focus on the Selma to Montgomery marches and the foot soldiers whose courage helped transform American democracy. Through visits to historically significant sites, our tour guides serve as storytellers, educators, and ambassadors for this history, helping visitors understand the people, places, and events that shaped the fight for voting rights—and why their legacy continues to matter today.

Position Summary

Foot Soldiers Park is seeking engaging, professional, and mission-driven Tour Guides to help bring the story of Selma to life. This role is central to educating visitors about the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, the foot soldiers who made the movement possible, and the significance of this history to Selma and the nation today.

Tour Guides will receive comprehensive training on FSP’s historical narrative, tour content and interpretive approach. Guides are expected to deliver historically accurate, consistent content while developing an authentic and engaging presentation style appropriate for diverse audiences, from students to government and civic leaders.

Guides are entrusted with presenting this history truthfully, respectfully, and responsibly. They are expected to distinguish historical interpretation from personal opinions and to represent FSP’s mission and interpretive standards throughout the visitor experience. Tour Guides work collaboratively as part of the FSP team to advance the organization’s historic preservation and educational efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Tour Delivery & Visitor Engagement

  • Lead engaging, informative Civil Rights Riding and Walking tours for diverse audiences including students, educators, domestic and international visitors, and professional groups including judges, legal professionals, clergy, and civic leaders.
  • Clearly communicate the historical significance of the Selma to Montgomery marches, the foot soldiers who participated, and the people, places, and events connected to the movement.
  • Guide visitors through historically significant sites while connecting each location to the broader story of the voting rights movement and Selma’s role in American history.
  • Help visitors understand the connection between Selma’s civil rights history and the community today, consistent with FSP’s approved historical narrative and interpretive approach.
  • Adapt tour delivery, pacing, and engagement techniques to meet the needs of different audiences, ages, group sizes, and levels of familiarity with the history.

Historical Interpretation & Storytelling

  • Present accurate, research-based historical information consistent with FSP’s approved tour content, historical narrative, and interpretive standards.
  • Interpret Selma’ civil rights history with integrity, , including the people, events, and experiences surrounding the Selma to Montgomery marches and the struggle for voting rights.
  • Center the stories, experiences, and contributions of the foot soldiers and others whose courage and organizing shaped the movement.
  • Communicate complex, difficult, and sensitive history truthfully, respectfully, and responsibly.
  • Distinguish historical interpretation from personal opinions and maintain professionalism when discussing sensitive, complex, or potentially controversial topics.
  • Participate in initial and ongoing training to deepen knowledge of Selma’s civil rights history, local context, FSP’s interpretive approach, and effective storytelling practices.

Team Collaboration & Professionalism

  • Work closely with the Tour Manager, Tour Coordinator, fellow Tour Guides, and FSP staff members to ensure consistent, high-quality tour experiences.
  • Communicate availability, scheduling conflicts, and changes promptly and follow established procedures for accepting and confirming tour assignments.
  • Maintain a professional standard of appearance, communication, conduct, and visitor interaction while representing FSP.
  • Communicate respectfully and effectively with colleagues, visitors, partners, and community members.
  • Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and positive team environment that reflects FSP’s mission and values

Operational Support

  • Assist with tour preparation, group coordination, and visitor check-in as needed.
  • Help ensure tours run on time and adhere to established schedules, routes, and operational procedures.
  • Communicate promptly with the Tour Manager or Tour Coordinator regarding visitor concerns, scheduling issues, safety concerns, or other circumstances that may affect the tour experience.

Qualifications

  • Strong interest in history, education, public engagement, or storytelling
  • Excellent public speaking, interpersonal, and communication skills
  • Ability to engage diverse audiences in a respectful and meaningful way
  • Commitment to professionalism, reliability and mission-driven work
  • Ability to learn and accurately present historical historical information in accordance with FSP’s training and interpretive standards.
  • Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
  • Availability to work a flexible schedule Monday through Saturday, including some weekends, holidays, and special events as needed. FSP does not currently offer Sunday tours.
  • Ability to work outdoors and adapt to changing weather conditions associated with riding and walking tours.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief statement of interest to traci@footsoldiersprk.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Foot Soldiers Park is an equal opportunity employer. Having a diverse staff is a fundamental principle of the organization. Employment, development, and promotion opportunities are based on individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.