Terminal Agent (Variable Schedule)

Port Of Bellingham; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The Port of Bellingham is seeking a Temporary Terminal Agent to support the Alaska Ferry system at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. This is a peak-season or year-round role, less than 20 hours per week, with weekend availability required.

The job emphasizes customer service, custodial duties, traffic control, and basic terminal operations. Required: reliable customer service history, ability to handle cash, and compliance with safety and MARSEC procedures.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of prior customer service experience.
• Cash handling experience preferred (at least one year).
• Must be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certification after hire.
• Valid Washington state driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Handle ticketing duties for Alaska Marine Highway during sailing days.
• Perform custodial tasks: clean restrooms, sweep, mop, wash windows, dust, vacuum.
• Provide traffic control and assist with vehicle staging at the terminal.
• Assist with terminal grounds upkeep and light maintenance as needed.
• Follow emergency procedures and MARSEC security; assist in emergencies.
• Support terminal operations, events, and shore side activities.
• Conduct security checks and maintain orderly warehouse storage.
• Assist with flag raising/lowering and maintain flags in good condition.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Safety-minded

Tools

Microsoft Office

Ticketing systems

Job description

About the Port of Bellingham

The Port of Bellingham is a Washington State special purpose municipal corporation serving all of Whatcom County. It is a unique organization that makes significant contributions to the local community through leveraging its resources by directly participating in revenue-earning lines of business, as well as by capitalizing on its strategic assets through special public agency powers. By using combined expertise in both the business and government sectors, the Port has a role in job preservation and job creation, as well as a role in the operation of transportation facilities for seaports and airports. This combination is distinct from that of either the private sector or other government entities.

The Port's mission statement is to promote sustainable economic development, optimize transportation gateways, and manage publicly owned land and facilities to benefit Whatcom County.

Job Summary

The Temporary Terminal Agent contributes to the Port of Bellingham operations by providing customer service at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal for passengers on the Alaska Ferry System. This position is classified as temporary, meaning full or part-time work during peak season OR on a year-round basis, working less than twenty (20) hours per week for not more than 800 hours in a calendar year. Weekend availability is necessary. This position requires flexibility - Sailing days (Friday's) are mandatory. Weekends and availability to close two (2) days per week is necessary.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Performs ticketing duties for the Alaska Marine Highway on sailing days.
2. Performs regular custodial services including cleaning restrooms, sweeping, mopping floors, washing windows, dusting, and vacuuming.
3. Provides traffic control and customer assistance in the staging of vehicles on the ferry.
4. Performs grounds clean-up and minor maintenance duties on and in the Cruise Terminal Building, parking lot and grounds.
5. Must be familiar with proper emergency procedures established for the Bellingham Cruise Terminal Building and be prepared to direct customers in an emergency.
6. Must be familiar with MARSEC security procedures and report any unusual events to the supervisor. Screen passengers and passenger vehicles.
7. Assists with various terminal operations as assigned: parking, displays, traffic control, special events, guided tours, and building security.
8. Assists with shore side support for ferry and transportation activities.
9. Performs security checks on Cruise Terminal and follows prescribed procedures.
10. Ensures that warehouse is maintained, and that items are stored in an orderly fashion.
11. Assists in event set up and clean up as needed.
12. Raises and lowers flags from flag area, including securing and maintaining flags in good condition.
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

OTHER

The Bellingham Cruise Terminal hours of operation are from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Terminal agents start at 7:00am so they have an hour in the morning to tidy up before we open doors. Hours can vary depending on events and ferry schedules. The schedule varies between 6 and 11 hours a day depending on need. Weekend is 6 hours split shift. Sailing days are 11 hours.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: Combination of prior experience and service characteristics that will prepare the successful candidate to represent the Port of Bellingham and the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Preferred:

• At least two years of prior customer service experience.
• At least a year of cash handling experience.

LICENSES REQUIRED

• Valid Washington State driver’s license is required.
• Must be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certification after hire.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Willingness to perform regular custodial duties.
• Demonstrated service characteristics including effective interpersonal skills, patience, willingness to learn, attentiveness, adaptability, responsiveness, stress management, problem solving, time management, organizational, and safety-minded.
• Has the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Effective written and oral communication skills are required.
• Ability to effectively work with Microsoft Office applications.
• Computer Savvy, being able to pick up use of different ticketing systems.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY

Position is responsible for specified tasks within the department and does not supervise the work of other employees. Position may be responsible for representing the Port to the public on a regular basis.

OTHER

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility; but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

The Port of Bellingham is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, citizenship or national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age (over 40), marital/familial status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identification, or status as an honorably discharged veteran, or any other class protected by federal, state, or local law. Accommodations for people with disabilities are reviewed on request by the Human Resources Department.

Salary Information

The Port typically hires new employees within the first half of the salary range, with starting pay based on the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience. See the salary range under Job Details below.

At its sole discretion, the Port of Bellingham may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Port provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including but not limited to, race, color, citizenship status, ancestry, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, genetic information, or service in the military. Equal employment opportunity governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

The Port of Bellingham participates in E-Verify.