WHARFINGER

Port of Oakland; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Port of Oakland is seeking a Wharfinger to oversee marine terminal operations, enforce tariff requirements, and ensure lease compliance across port facilities, structures, land and water areas. The role involves coordinating with various stakeholders, analyzing data, and supporting billing and compliance tasks.

Strong knowledge of tariffs, port terminology, and safety practices is essential. Applicants should meet the education and experience requirements and be able to obtain necessary

Qualifications

• Knowledge of shipping lines and marine terminal operations.
• Knowledge of billing documentation and terminal records.
• Knowledge of port tariff regulations and lease agreements.
• Knowledge of regulatory agencies (USCG, PMA, USDOT, OSHA).
• Basic bookkeeping concepts and audit techniques.
• Ability to read regulations and contracts.
• Ability to interact with tenants and stakeholders.
• Ability to identify problems and coordinate solutions.

Responsibilities

• Inspect marine terminal facilities and report maintenance needs.
• Ensure compliance with tariff regulations and lease terms.
• Prepare tariff assignments and provide billing information.
• Provide field audit support for tariff compliance.
• Enforce tariff provisions and related regulations as required.
• Monitor safety practices and participate in safety meetings.
• Prepare daily berthing reports and verify vessel data.

Skills

Maritime knowledge

Tariff regulations

Billing documentation

Regulatory coordination

Bookkeeping basics

Data gathering

Regulations interpretation

Customer relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Transportation Management

Job description

Job Description

Under the general supervision of the Chief Wharfinger, the Wharfinger monitors port and terminal operations activities; enforces tariff requirements and lease terms for use of marine terminal facilities and other port buildings, structures, land and water areas under the administration and control of the Marine Terminals Department, and performs other related duties.

Examples of Duties

Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed. Incumbent may perform other related duties at the equivalent level.

• Inspects marine terminal facilities and other port buildings, structures and areas under lease or tariff assignment; reports needs for maintenance and repairs and coordinates completed actions to include billing instructions as required.
• Ensures compliance, by steamship lines, terminal operators and other port users, with port tariff regulations and applicable tariff assignments and lease agreements.
• Prepares space or other tariff assignments for use of port facilities, land or water areas and equipment and provides billing information to the Tariff Analysis and Special Programs Unit.
• Provides field audit capabilities to assist the Tariff Analysis and Special Programs Unit in determining tenant compliance with demurrage, storage, crane rental, and other tariff assessment procedures.
• Enforces Port of Oakland tariff provisions, applicable City of Oakland Traffic Code (OTC) provisions and other local, state or federal regulations as required and issues citations for OTC violations as appropriate.
• Monitors safety practices to include hazardous cargo and participates in PMA/USCG safety meetings.
• Prepares daily berthing reports; verifies vessel calls, equipment utilization, and vessel description details; provides information to Tariff Analysis and Special Programs Unit to facilitate billing.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required

This class requires a combination of education and experience reflecting possession of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A typical combination would include:

Education: Bachelor's degree from a accredited college or university in Business Administration, Transportation Management, Traffic Management or a closely related field PLUS

Experience: Three years of recent (within the past five years) experience in work requiring extensive knowledge of marine shipping practices, tariffs, and port terminology.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

To perform the typical tasks and duties of the position successfully, the knowledge, skills and/or abilities listed below are required.

• Knowledge of shipping lines and shipping agency and marine terminal operations, methods, and procedures.
• Knowledge of billing documentation, guard logs, and other terminal records.
• Knowledge of marine terminal agreements and port tariff regulations and application of maintenance, enforcement, or rate assessment terms.
• Knowledge of regulatory, operations, and coordination functions of the USCG, PMA, USDOT, OSHA, and other agencies.
• Knowledge of simple bookkeeping concepts and audit techniques.
• Knowledge of metric conversion factors.
• Ability to prepare written reports and correspondence in dealing with the public, tenants, other port departments, and co-workers.
• Ability to accurately and repeatedly perform advanced data gathering and record-keeping functions.
• Ability to operate standard calculators and personal computers.
• Ability in estimating cargo tonnage, space requirements, and maintenance, repair and construction costs.
• Ability in reading and interpreting regulations and legal contracts.
• Ability to interact effectively with tenants and maintain close working relationships.
• Ability to identify problems and recommend and coordinate solutions as necessary.
• Ability to effectively handle customer complaints and billing and other queries.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Stage I: Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Evaluation (Pass/Fail)

The first stage in the selection process will consist of an application and supplemental questionnaire review (pass/fail). Applications submitted without a completed supplemental questionnaire will be deemed incomplete and not given further consideration. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement to the next stage of the selection process. Only the most suitably qualified candidates will be invited to Stage II.

Stage II: Assessment Examination (Weighted 100%)

The second stage of the selection process may consist of a combination of job-related situational project exercises and an oral panel interview designed to assess technical knowledge and any additional other KSAs. Job-related situational project exercises may consist of written exercises, performance exercises or other situational exercises that would assess the KSAs.

The Assessment Examination is designed to test your overall aptitude for the position. Candidates must achieve a scale score of 70 or more on this examination to be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. The Port of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity.

ADVISORIES

Immigration and Reform Control Act:

In compliance with the Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, the Port of Oakland will only hire individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States. Social Security card must be presented, and the name on it must match the name on the application.

Americans With Disabilities (ADA)

In compliance with State and Federal Laws, the Port will employ and promote qualified individuals without regard to disability. The Port is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the selection process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations during the selection process must notify Justin Lagman at [e-mail] seven (7) calendar days of the closing date of the job announcement. The Port requires applicants to provide supporting medical documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation.

The Port of Oakland is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Additional Requirements

• This classification requires each incumbent to successfully complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check, which will include a fingerprint-based Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) and a Security Threat Assessment (STA), prior to being considered for this position. This status must be maintained for the duration of employment.
• The Department of Homeland security requires all employees who must have unescorted access to regulated marine terminal facilities to be in possession of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). This status must be maintained for the duration of employment at the Port in this classification.
• Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license at the time of and for the duration of appointment.
• Willingness to climb vertical ladders at various heights.
• Available for overtime and call back duty responding to evening and weekend emergencies as needed.
• Strength to safely lift up to 15 pounds and occasionally over 25 pounds.