Airport Greeter Volunteer

Position Summary

An airport greeter will meet and welcome wish families at the airport, assist arriving wish families with baggage and locate their rental car or help departing wish families with check in and security. This volunteer will help to ease any concerns the wish family has about navigating the airport and airline travel. The ultimate goal is to ensure the wish family is comfortable and stress-free as they begin their wish experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Confirm all departure times on behalf of the wish family and assist with any changes prior to the family’s departure.
• Assist departing families with check-in, airport security and ensure the family boards at the correct time prior to departure.
• Assist arriving families with the collection of their baggage and locate the rental car or coordinate ground transportation for the family.
• Request airline crew for VIP treatment during the child’s flight, including meeting the pilot or visiting the cockpit, a special announcement on the plane or additional enhancements as determined by the airline and chapter staff.
• Work collaboratively with the chapter office to address any problems and/or questions regarding travel arrangements, changes to the itinerary and special requests.
• Act as a reliable, communicative and productive member of the team by providing feedback about the experience to the Make-A-Wish office after the family has left the airport.
• Other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of our local airports, including ticket counters, security procedures, terminals, parking and rental car agencies.
• Excellent people skills with the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, especially children with critical illnesses.
• Resourceful with the ability to solve problems in an efficient, calm manner.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexible schedule.
• Access to reliable transportation to meet families at the airport.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Bilingual abilities in spoken form a plus.

Location of Opportunity

Airport greets take place at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport at varying times of the day. Most often, wish families will travel during the day/early evening. Chapter staff will provide detailed information about the opportunity prior to the airport greeter signing up to assist with that family. The volunteer is responsible for confirming with the chapter any specifics regarding location, time and details.

Volunteer Commitment

• The average airport greet lasts anywhere from 30 minutes – 2 hours. Each opportunity will vary greatly depending on the wish family and their comfort level with traveling.
• Agree to serve as an airport greeter for at least two families per year.
• Complete criminal background check every 3 years and Conflict of Interest & Ethics Assurance Statement annually.
• Complete official Make-A-Wish Airport Greeter training.
• Attend continuing education courses, as offered by Make-A-Wish chapter staff.
• Provide and receive ongoing performance evaluation feedback from chapter staff.