Vessel Boarding Agent

COSCO SHIPPING (North America)’s subsidiary, Sea Mark, is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Assistant Operations Manager (Boarding Agent) for its Houston, TX location.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under the leadership, direction and supervision of the Managers of Agency Department, the Boarding Agents perform the following functions and complete other jobs given by the Managers of Agency Department.
• It is the right and duty of Boarding Agents to continue improving of service quality and make suggestions to the management for improving work efficiency, service quality, business development and so on.
• Maintain good relationship with the officials of the federal and local authorities, close contact with terminals, stevedores, other parties concerned and efficient communications with principals operators.
• Maintain all required records, documents in appropriate ship / principal files, and made the entry in Sea Mark Business Operation System in time.
• Monitor and distribute fax and telex communications to all concerned.
• Report directly to the Managers of Agency Department. Have the right to report directly to the President of Sea Mark, when it is necessary.
• Attend to the vessels at time of arrival and sailing as well as periodic visits while the vessel is in port. Assist the Master as required during the officials visit.
• Arrange for arrivals, departures and clearance.
• Coordinate vessel activities with U. S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Board Protection, and all other federal state or local governmental authorities.
• Arrange for docking, undocking and shifting within ports.
• Order labor as necessary.
• Supervise loading and discharging operations.
• Report vessel’s daily position to owners and parties concerned
• Update port condition and report to the parties concerned.
• Prepare loading, discharging, cargo and other documents subject to approval of the vessel / manager. Forward documents by fax / mail / courier to principal / agents at next port as instructed.
• Prepare estimates of vessel disbursement accounts when necessary.
• Collect, check, verify and approve vendor invoices and transfer the same to Sea Mark Accounting Department .
• Assist vessel in shortening the stay in port. Expedite vessels in the most cost-effective manner on behalf of principals. Assist vessel in passing U. S. Coast Guard P. S. C. inspections.
• Assist vessel in passing ISPS inspections.
• Assist vessel in preparing cargo holds and compartments and passing condition inspections.
• Assist vessel in prevent from and fight against bad weather (natural calamities).
• Assist vessel/owner in handling claim cases.
• Assist vessel in the arrangements of repair, replenishing bunkers, fresh water, lubricate-oils, stores and provision, charts and publications, applying certificates, etc.
• Handle crew matters, such crew exchange, crew shore visit and others.
• Deliver cash to mater, vessel spare parts, mails, charts and publications, etc.
• Provide customers port information including regulations, tariff, weather, vessels line up, emergency, etc. and update the above mentioned information.
• Vessel port disbursement control
• Before requesting Sea mark Accounting Department transferring the fund to vendors, check the estimate port disbursement proforma and confirm it is correct and record in the operation system.
• As soon as vessel departed, collect the related invoices covering the expenses occurred during vessel’s stay in port.
• Checking each invoice as per the tariff and supporting document and confirm it is correct.
• The related invoices should be filed to Sea Mark Business operation system no later than 30 days after vessel sailed.

Qualifications

• The experience of working on ocean going vessels or on ship agency industry are needed.
• Be proficient in English
• Be familiar with the OA software such as word/excel and can communicate freely by the communication tools of mobile/laptop.
• Bachelors Degree
• 3-5 years of relevant experience

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment?
• This position is in office 5x a week (Monday - Friday). Are you comfortable working onsite 5 days a week?
• What is your minimum annual salary requirement?

Ability to Commute:

• Houston, TX 77032 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person