Purser

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