BOARDING AGENT

Gulf Agency Company; Lake Jackson (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Health insurance

On-the-job training

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

Gulf Agency Company (GAC) is seeking a Boarding Agent to oversee day-to-day vessel operations from pre-arrival through departure. You will coordinate with port authorities, pilots, tugs, and service providers to ensure smooth port calls and regulatory compliance.

In this role you will respond to inquiries, maintain accurate records, and communicate proactively with principals and clients across time zones. You must be able to work outdoors in varying conditions and hold a valid TWIC card.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; higher education or relevant certifications are a plus.
• Experience in a maritime, shipping agency, port operations, or logistics environment preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn internal systems.
• TWIC card preferred or required.
• Excellent communication and coordination with port authorities and crews.
• Detail-oriented with strong documentation and billing support.
• Able to work in a fast-paced 24/7 environment.

Responsibilities

• Attend to vessels and manage all operational matters per GAC Quality Management System.
• Respond to enquiries and handle all operations for principals and prospective principals.
• Coordinate vessel arrivals with port personnel, pilots, tugs, and authorities.

Skills

MS Office Suite

GACAgent

Operational mindset

Attention to detail

TWIC card

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Adaptability

Customer service

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Tools

GACAgent software

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

· Department / team: Shipping Operations

· Employment Type: Full Time

· Travel requirements: Yes, to and from the Port - occasional travel to Vessels

· Key Tech/Tools: MS Office365 Microsoft products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and GACAgent which will be learned on the job

What would your day at GAC look like?

• · Attend to vessels and handle all operational matters in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the GAC Quality Management System.
• · Respond to all enquiries and handle all operational matters relating to principals and prospective principals.
• · Coordinate arrival of vessels with all port personnel including pilots, tugs, line handlers, terminal operators, and governmental authorities.

What’s in it for you?

This is your chance to become part of the global GAC team, which has been providing professional shipping, logistics, and marine services since 1956. Everything we do is guided by the GAC Spirit, built on mutual loyalty between management and staff, and a belief in the value of our people as individuals - not just for the jobs they do.

With more than 7,500 colleagues in 300 strategically located offices in more than 50 countries around the world, we focus on quality, safety, and sustainability with a human touch. Emphasizing a long-term approach, innovation and ethics, our flexible and integrated portfolios are designed to work within and support our customers' operations.

Role Summary

The Boarding Agent is responsible for managing day-to-day vessel operations from pre-arrival through departure and close-out. This includes coordinating with port authorities, terminals, and service providers, ensuring all regulatory requirements are met, and keeping customers and stakeholders fully informed throughout the port call.

The role requires strong ownership of each job, including cost awareness, documentation, system updates, and timely job closure. You will be expected to operate independently, make decisions in real time, and ensure each port call is executed safely, efficiently, and without delay.

Note: The candidate is expected to comply with the GAC Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Policy and GAC HSSE Manual procedures that emphasize industrial and personal safety and environmental precautions. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to a background check that includes drug and alcohol screening.

***Eligible to work in the United States

Job requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; higher education or relevant certifications are a plus.
• Experience in a maritime, shipping agency, port operations, or logistics environment strongly preferred.
• Strong operational mindset - able to manage multiple vessel activities, coordinate with port authorities, and keep jobs moving without delays.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to maintain accurate records, complete documentation, and support billing processes
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment with changing vessel schedules and priorities.
• Confident communicator - able to work with vessel crews, owners/operators, and port authorities while keeping all parties informed.
• Proactive and solutions-driven - takes ownership of assigned vessel calls and resolves issues as they arise without waiting for direction.
• Willing and able to work in a port environment, including boarding vessels and working outdoors in varying conditions, with required PPE.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; comfortable learning internal systems.
• Possess a valid TWIC card.
• Communication - able to manage correspondence with other port agents, vendors, and clients across multiple time zones and cultures with confidence and accuracy.
• Organizational Skills - Able to manage multiple vessel calls and client accounts simultaneously without losing track of deadlines, documentation, or follow-ups.
• Problem-Solving - Calm and resourceful when disruptions arise whether a delayed vessel, a vendor issue, or a last-minute client request and finding solutions quickly and keeping all parties informed.
• Adaptability - Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment where priorities can shift with little notice.
• Customer Service Orientation - Genuinely committed to delivering a responsive, professional experience to clients and understanding that in this industry, reliability builds long-term relationships.
• Team Collaboration - Works effectively across GAC offices, agent networks, and internal teams, contributing to a culture of shared accountability and mutual support.

You will also enjoy:

• o 401(k) matching
• o Health insurance
• o On-the-job training
• o Paid time off
• o Vision insurance