Dream Job Profile

Barb King

Assistant HR Director

Banff Springs Hotel (1150 employees!)

BanffLife: When (what year) did you first come to Banff / Bow Valley? 

I came here to work for the summer of 1984.

BL: What made you decide to come to Banff?

I was living in Victoria and was unable to find a job for the summer (having been a waitress the summer before, I determined that was NOT where my abilities lay) and had a friend in Banff who convinced me to come out.

BL: Describe your first job in Banff and how you got it.

I was originally hired as a “Chambermaid” (from my previous experience working in a seniors’ home) when my friend asked her boss if I could work here. When I arrived in Banff someone had just left, so my first job was as “Res Steno” (Reservation Stenographer – no computers) at the Banff Springs.  The Banff Springs is where I have worked, the entire time I have been in Banff.   I did have a second job my first few summers as a part-time “Scoopette” at Banff’s once (and probably still) famous ice cream parlor called “The Scoop”.

BL: Describe your job now including your job title and/or position.  What things do you like best or think are the coolest about your job!

I am now Assistant Director, Human Resources at The Fairmont Banff Springs. The thing I enjoy most is the daily interaction with employees. Having determined that I am a terrible server and equally untalented in technology – I think I am better suited to working with people.

My role is to coach employees and supervisors to work together effectively, make sure all issues meet any legal compliance, help to manage benefits programs and ensure “brand” consistency as an employer.

The “coolest” thing is encouraging people to try something they are “scared” of doing and then having them come back and say “it worked”!  Most conversations, no matter how intimidating, can have great outcomes when people are prepared and overcome the “fear” of talking honestly to others.

My passion is the “learning coach” position prior to this one … I still find it difficult to avoid jumping in and finding energizers, games and topics that are “fun”, but, also give people tools and information to do their jobs even better. I love to see that “light go on” when an employee identifies a new way of doing something.

BL:  How did you get to where you are now from where you started in Banff?

I have been at The Fairmont Banff Springs for 20 years (this summer). When I first arrived I intended to stay for 1 year and then go back to school (although I had no idea what I was going to finish school with) … obviously, I never did go back.

I did not know how to type – there were no computers in the hotel at that time – but we had a telex machine and typewriters, so I got a lot of practice on keyboards.

Staff Accommodations back then were notorious for poor conditions (lack of power, no showers, shared rooms – and at that time that was the luxurious building!), so a group of us moved into an apartment. That proved to be a great opportunity to meet people outside the hotel – living in a neighborhood, access to downtown and getting away from work.

Over the years I have participated in several community events and activities- The Friday Night Thing, Santa’s Anonymous, Canada Day. I am continuously impressed by the generosity in this community in fundraising efforts for an organizational cause (particularly within the hotel during our “Community Spirit” campaigns) or to support members in the community during difficult periods in their lives.

I would never have pictured myself in the hospitality field, let alone living and working in Banff. Now that I am here I could never picture myself working or living anywhere else.

I have been fortunate to work for a company that is diverse in its ability to provide career growth. After twenty years and eleven different positions, I think I have found a job I really enjoy and that has prompted me to go back to school (U of C – H.R. Management Certificate). Now, at least, I have an idea of what I am studying and why!

I may not sit in Mel’s (Melissa’s Bar) recounting my latest bike ride or hike anymore, but, there is still a core of us who rehash the experiences (past & present) over a beer (or two…) in the backyard. As much as things have changed, there are many things that stay the same in Banff and that is a great feature.

BL: Can you tell us why Banff is a great place to get a life?

For me Banff is the best combination of a great career opportunity (as it turned out), a smaller community where you recognize neighbors on the street and they recognize you, and a healthy environment to live in.

The combination is attractive to me and is what keeps me here – there are very few places where people come together in generosity of fellow residents for celebration of activities, life and death, or where individuals in a community challenge one another over factors that make a “better” environment.

A strong magnet for me is the lifestyle – working with residents and visitors and playing in a HUGE backyard.