The purpose of a Hazardous Shipment Specialist is to obtain, assess, audit, and document hazardous materials information related to cargo sailing on TOTE’s vessels to ensure the safety of all involved.
Main Duties and Responsibilities- Add complete hazardous data to bookings and bills of lading timely and accurately.
- Attend hazardous materials training courses and maintain a thorough understanding of hazardous-related documentation and materials utilized within the TOTE organization.
- Run daily hazardous reports from back-office and terminal systems.
- Receive and review customer hazardous paperwork to identify inconsistencies that may prevent cargo receipt at the terminal.
- Pre-audit hazardous bills of lading submitted prior to vessel sailing.
- Comprehend and apply regulations contained within 49 CFR as well as TOTE-specific hazardous materials requirements.
- Understand hazardous cargo segregation requirements within containers and aboard vessels.
- Work flexible hours to ensure hazardous data is entered timely and to prevent driver delays at terminal gates.
- Review, approve, and attach hazardous documentation to shipments within TOTE’s back-office systems.
- Understand and follow appropriate escalation procedures for hazardous issues that may place TOTE at risk.
- Manage key performance indicators (KPIs) related to hazardous documentation and workflow processes.
- Address customer non-compliance issues associated with hazardous documentation requirements and cutoff times.
- Understand and execute hazardous dangerous cargo manifest reporting for northbound and southbound vessel operations.
- Develop an understanding of customer business models and operational processes across assigned accounts. Evaluate customer needs and recommend solutions to ensure the timely receipt of required information.
- Communicate important customer transactional information to internal departments and employees.
- Work cross-functionally to build relationships, enhance communication, resolve issues, and identify opportunities to improve processes and services.
- Educate customers regarding documentation requirements and regulatory compliance standards.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of industry and TOTE-specific terminology, procedures, freight movement, rating, documentation, hazardous materials handling, and regulatory compliance.
- Assist the Shipment Services Supervisor with continuous improvement initiatives, reporting, and other assigned projects.
- Assist the Company with duties necessary to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Operates with little or no direct supervision.
- Exercises broad discretion in selecting, developing, and coordinating methods within the framework of established company policies.
- Errors in judgment may be significant, difficult to detect, and may result in major expenditures or operational impacts.
- Responsibilities may include preparing or presenting information upon which management bases important business decisions.
- Regularly works with information of significant importance that could be detrimental to the company if improperly disclosed.
- No authority to commit organizational funds.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and make effective decisions.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities.
- Flexibility to work additional hours as business needs require.
- Experience managing hazardous materials and working with 49 CFR regulations strongly preferred.
- Associate degree required; or
- Five (5) or more years of transportation industry experience with knowledge of multiple areas of the transportation and logistics field.
- Sedentary work involving exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
- Visual ability consistent with clerical and administrative work involving the preparation and analysis of data, accounting activities, transcription, computer terminal use, extensive reading, and detailed document review.
- Office-based environment with extensive computer usage.
- Requires frequent review and analysis of hazardous documentation and regulatory materials.
May require flexible scheduling to support vessel operations, cargo cutoff times, and hazardous shipment processing requirements.
Equal Opportunity Employer
TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Affirmative Action and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We are committed to a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin disability, or status as a protected veteran. TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico is a drug-free employer and a participant of the E-Verify Employment Verification Program.
Skills Required
- Associate degree
- Five or more years of transportation industry experience with knowledge of multiple transportation and logistics areas
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and make effective decisions
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities
- Flexibility to work additional hours as business needs require
- Experience managing hazardous materials and working with 49 CFR regulations
What We Do
TOTE provides twice-weekly shipping service to Alaska and Puerto Rico with offices in Anchorage, AK; Tacoma, WA; Jacksonville, FL; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. We operate the world's first LNG-powered containerships between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico and a fleet of roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) cargo ships between Tacoma and Anchorage. Together, with our vessel and crew management company TOTE Services, TOTE Maritime Alaska and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico compose the TOTE family of companies. Dedicated, Reliable and Built To Serve.

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