Purser

Lindblad-Expeditions; United States; On-site; USD 53,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindblad Expeditions is seeking a Purser to manage shipboard accounting, guest services, and related administrative duties aboard our expedition fleet. The position requires handling a varied schedule, supporting guests, and coordinating with officers and crew to ensure smooth operations.

The ideal candidate will have 2+ years in bookkeeping, shipboard experience preferred, strong English communications, and proficient MS Office skills.

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience in bookkeeping and accounting preferred.
• Shipboard employment experience, preferably as Purser.
• Excellent customer service skills; professional demeanor and tact.
• Strong time management; able to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable with public speaking.
• Proficient with MS software in Windows environment.
• Excellent verbal and written English; Spanish preferred.
• Ability to troubleshoot and make sound decisions quickly.
• Detail oriented and thorough; follow through on tasks.
• Ability to work independently and in a team; perform under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Guest Services: greet guests, verify passport, collect tickets, respond to requests, escort guests as needed, and coordinate with crew.
• Shipboard Accounting: manage vessel fund, prepare reports, forecast cash needs, track charges, maintain inventory, update payroll records.
• Customs and Immigrations: prepare paperwork for clearance in ports with captain and agent.
• Safety & Security: participate in safety drills and training; follow ISM requirements.

Skills

Customer service

Public speaking

Time management

Detail oriented

Teamwork

Communication

English proficiency

Stress management

Tools

MS Office

Windows

Shipboard accounting program

Global Market system

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Purser is responsible for managing the shipboard accounting, administrative and clerical duties as well as being the key liaison between guests, officers and crew.

The Purser works 12 hours per day of varied hours; approximately 2 months on, 1 month off, rotational schedule.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Guest Services

• Assists in greeting guests at the beginning of a voyage, verifies passport information and collects ship’s tickets from guests upon embarkation.
• Responds to guest requests, arrangements and problems on a daily basis. Must be able to satisfy in a positive and efficient manner, all requests from guests for assistance. (May include escorting a guest to a doctor or hospital, leading guests on nature hikes, working with the Expedition Leader to secure alternative arrangements in the event of a schedule change, or directing problems and requests to others as appropriate.)
• Dines with guests on a regular basis as the schedule will permit.
• Hand‑writes notes to returning guests.
• Responsible for manning the Global Market, be able to communicate general artisan biography knowledge, maintain displays and inventories.
• Assists the officer on watch in monitoring the operation of the AEI music system.
• Answers questions and responds to guests’ concerns throughout the day.
• Coordinates crew entertainment activities.

Shipboard Accounting

• Administers ship's vessel fund, including accounting for all monies spent and received.
• Prepares and submits accounting reports after every trip. Assures accuracy of reports.
• Projects ships’ cash and checking needs at least two weeks in advance and requests funds.
• Tracks charges for all guests, staff and crew including bar, gift shop, postage or optional shore excursions during a voyage.
• Maintains updated inventory in shipboard accounting program including Global Market, Bar and any other resale items.
• Continually updates crew payroll records and makes tip adjustments.
• Updates ship pack each trip. Creates necessary worksheets for each trip.
• Initiates paperwork for each trip; coordinates appropriate communication with Hotel Manager, galley crew, Expedition Leader, Captain, ship’s doctor and/or Chief Mate. Works closely with the Seattle-based Land Manager, the New York-based Expedition Specialists, as well as the Seattle HR and Field Staff departments to make sure information is current and attends to guests’ needs.
• Collects credit card information from guests.
• Coordinates all crew travel requests, vacation addresses and uniform needs for the rotation and communicates them to the Human Resources Department in Seattle.
• Updates all ships’ manifests to reflect status of crew, staff and guests on board. Sends these lists to the Safety Department in Seattle.
• Helps crew and staff with computers and office equipment.
• Orders supplies for office equipment and office consumables.

Customs and Immigrations

• Prepares all paperwork necessary for customs and immigration clearance for the vessel in various ports, and for directly dealing, in conjunction with the Captain and the ship's agent, with necessary officials in securing clearance for the vessel in various ports.

Safety & Security

• Participates in on board safety training, meetings and drills, as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies.
• Participates in shore side training as required by the company.
• Maintains familiarity with the ISM requirements.
• Familiar with all duties under the company Safety Management System including Emergency Response activities.

DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years experience in bookkeeping and accounting preferred.
• Shipboard employment experience, preferably in the capacity of Purser.
• Excellent customer service skills; professional demeanor, ability to use necessary levels of tact and courtesy.
• Strong time management skills; able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable with public speaking.
• Proficient user or computer systems, with the ability to utilize MS software applications in a Windows environment
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills. Spanish language skills strongly preferred.
• Ability to troubleshoot, act quickly with confidence, and make sound decisions while exercising good judgement
• Detail oriented and thorough; able to follow through on assigned tasks.
• Ability to work independently using initiative and creativity to complete assigned tasks.
• Can work well under pressure.
• Ability to get along well with co-workers and support a team environment.

Licenses/Certificates

• Current First Aid/CPR certification required.
• Valid US Passport required.
• STCW Basic Safety Training required.
• STCW Crowd Management preferred

$285 - $314 a day

Employment is contingent on the following:

• - In compliance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, 46 CFR Parts 4, 5, and 16, you will be required to undergo the following drug tests: post-offer prior to start date, random, reasonable cause, and serious marine incident per US Federal guidelines.
• - Pre-offer background check; employment is contingent upon the results of this screening.
• - Post-offer physical examination; your employment is dependent upon being determined fit for sea duty.

Continued employment is dependent upon consent to and passing these tests.

Lindblad Expeditions continues to highly recommend that all new hires be up to date with all vaccines prior to the first day of employment and getting boosted annually when eligible, including those vaccines that protect against COVID-19. All crew must still comply with all country-specific vaccination requirements.

Communication Skills

Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type.The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.The physical demands per position are described in the Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants upon request.

COMPENSATION STATEMENT

Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.

For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT

At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.

Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.