Brick of Chicago is hiring a tour guide!

And when I write Brick of Chicago, what I really mean is I, Will, am looking to hire a guide. 

This job is about enthusiasm for the little things that make up Chicago and the built world. It is about clearly communicating with the public to help them understand the way the world is built and how the past influences today. It is NOT about memorizing information and regurgitating it. It is NOT about being the smartest person in the room. It is about being the most excited person in the room, the person who is interested in asking questions. 

The ideal candidate for this job is someone who loves finding the interesting things in the world and getting other people on board. You do not have to have a background in architecture or history for this job, but you do have to have a desire to learn the facts and keep them straight while sharing them with others. You should have an enthusiasm for Chicago, its history, and its architecture. If you have given tours before, that’s great! If you haven’t, that’s also great! I’d still love to hear from you. I had never given tours before I started doing this.

Job Description:

  • The Brick of Chicago tour guide will lead between one and three tours a week of an existing Brick of Chicago tour route for between 5 and 22 guests. Guide should expect to lead at least one tour a week on a consistent basis. Schedule will be created in collaboration with Will and the Brick of Chicago Admin (hi Jean!) and can be flexible with the guide’s schedule.

  • Guide’s schedule will be set at least four weeks in advance.

  • Guide should arrive at the tour starting location 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to check in guests. This is done through the FairHarbor app.

  • Guide will lead guests on a 1.5 mile tour over 1.5 hours, stopping at approximately 16 predetermined stops. At each stopped the Guide will give guests the history and narrative of the stop and the neighborhood. This will be done without the use of microphones or amplifiers.

  • Guide should be able to answer clarifying or elaborating questions from guests on the history of the neighborhood or individual stops

  • Above all, the Guide’s job is to create an environment where the guests learn and have a good time doing it.

  • Once hired, the Guide will receive tour training and should expect to give at least one test tour for a friendly audience.

Requirements:

  • You do not need to know anything about brick, but you should have an interest in learning way too much about brick.

  • Weekend availability.

  • A loud and clear voice.

  • Able to be on your feet and outdoors for two hours at time.

  • Able to walk 1.5 miles per tour.

  • A working smartphone.

  • At most: a knowledge of architecture history and design styles, a base knowledge of Chicago history. At least: An appreciation of architecture and history.

  • Live in or near Chicago and be able to travel to tour locations.

Compensation:

The compensation for this role is a per-tour stipend of $165 to be paid monthly. The hired guide will also be paid a one time stipend to cover training and research time.

How to apply:

Please create a VIDEO APPLICATION (no longer than three minutes, please) which includes the following:

  • Your name and location

  • A bit of your background and work history

  • A bit about your background with Chicago history and architecture history and brick (if applicable)

  • Teach me about something that you’re passionate about. Do you know a lot about birding? Are you an expert painter of Warcraft figures? Do you know everything about the Real Housewives? Teach me about it! My goal with this is to see your passion and excitement about something and your ability to give that information away in a digestible way to someone who might not know anything about it.

Once you have completed your three minute video, please email it to brickofchicagotours@gmail.com. Please format your email with the subject line: “Tour Guide Application: [YOUR NAME]”. You may attach your video application or include a link to the video.

Deadline:

The deadline to apply for the tour guide position is Monday, February 2nd, 2026 but you may submit your video at any time before that date.

Questions?

If you have a question not covered by the above information, please use the form below to send it in. Please do not email or DM questions, I will not be able to answer them there.