Purser

About the Company

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 an innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we now take almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships. We 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 a rotational schedule of approximately 2 months on, 1 month off, with varied hours totaling 12 hours per day.

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, ensuring all requests are handled positively and efficiently. This 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 permits.
  • Hand-writes notes to returning guests.
  • Responsible for manning the Global Market, communicating general artisan biography knowledge, maintaining displays, and managing 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 the ship's vessel fund, including accounting for all monies spent and received, and prepares/submits accounting reports after every trip.
  • Ensures accuracy of reports and projects ships’ cash and checking needs at least two weeks in advance.
  • Tracks charges for all guests, staff, and crew, including bar, gift shop, postage, or optional shore excursions during a voyage.
  • Maintains updated inventory in the shipboard accounting program, including Global Market, Bar, and any other resale items.
  • Updates crew payroll records and makes tip adjustments.
  • Updates the ship pack each trip and creates necessary worksheets for each trip.
  • Initiates paperwork for each trip and coordinates communication with the Hotel Manager, galley crew, Expedition Leader, Captain, ship’s doctor, and/or Chief Mate.
  • Works closely with the Seattle-based Land Manager, New York-based Expedition Specialists, and Seattle HR and Field Staff departments to ensure 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 the status of crew, staff, and guests on board and sends these lists to the Safety Department in Seattle.
  • Assists crew and staff with computers and office equipment, and orders supplies for office equipment and consumables.
• Customs and Immigration
  • Prepares all paperwork necessary for customs and immigration clearance for the vessel in various ports.
  • Works directly with the Captain and the ship's agent to secure 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.
  • Is familiar with all duties under the company Safety Management System, including Emergency Response activities.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in bookkeeping and accounting preferred.
• Shipboard employment experience, preferably in the capacity of Purser.
• Excellent customer service skills; professional demeanor and 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 of 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 judgment.
• Detail-oriented and thorough; able to follow through on assigned tasks.
• Ability to work independently using initiative and creativity to complete assigned tasks.
• Ability to 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.

Requirements

• 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 highly recommends 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.