Low Berth Administrator

Job Title:                                Low Berth Administrator

Department:                                      Operations

Functional Relationship:      Senior Operations Supervisor

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Low Berth Administrator is the on-site representative for the Low Berth, truck-access and rented-parking facilities. The role controls vessel berthing and cargo activity, truck routing, access verification, parking entitlements and barrier movements so that operations are safe, orderly, authorized, accurately recorded and compliant with applicable Port requirements.

Job Responsibilities:  

Vessel berthing and Low Berth operations

• Regulate vessels engaged in loading or unloading goods at PBL Low Berth facilities and ensure no vessel anchors or makes fast without Port authorization.
• Confirm that requests from vessel owners, masters or agents are submitted in a timely manner and that the proposed berth activity is approved before work begins.
• Review overnight vessel arrival and departure information and reconcile it against recorded berth requests and loading applications.
• Monitor loading, unloading and related activities to ensure they remain within the approved berth location, operating plan and Port requirements.
• Report unauthorized berthing, loading or unloading activity within the assigned Belize City area to the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and other designated authority.
• Ensure owners, masters, agents and contractors remove litter, cargo residue and equipment after operations and leave the berth clear and serviceable.

Truck routing and destination control

• Receive trucks arriving from the Main Gate and confirm their declared destination: the container queuing line, a Low Berth delivery or collection, or an assigned rented parking slot.
• Ensure trucks stop at the Low Berth control point and do not deviate from the authorized route or enter another controlled area without approval.
• For Low Berth movements, verify and record data of the company, purpose, cargo or machinery description, receiving contact and delivery or collection reference.
• Coordinate with Security and Operations to manage congestion, protect emergency routes and suspend entry whenever conditions are unsafe.
• Control parking by vehicles engaged in loading and unloading vessels and prevent unauthorized roadside parking, queue jumping, blocking or use of operating space.

Pass, barrier and rented-parking control

• Verify the original valid Truck Pass, confirm it matches the truck, and check the tenant's active paid entitlement and assigned numbered slot against the current register.
• Authorize or operate the barrier only after all required vehicle, driver, destination and entitlement checks are complete and the access lane is clear.
• Direct admitted vehicles to the correct numbered slot and ensure vehicles remain within markings and do not occupy, block or sublet another slot, roadway, emergency route or Low Berth space.
• Verify and record exits from the controlled area and report any unrecorded movement, damage, delay or non-compliance.
• Refuse access for missing, expired, altered, suspended, mismatched or unverifiable passes; inactive accounts; or unconfirmed slots, and follow the approved escalation process.
• Prevent the use of lost, stolen, transferred or cancelled passes and report suspected pass misuse to Security.

 Documentation, billing support and audit records

• Maintain complete and accurate entry, exit, refusal, exception and incident records in the approved electronic system or controlled paper log.
• Record truck and driver identification, pass details, declared destination, tenant or company, slot number, Low Berth purpose or reference, admission decision, time and officer initials.
• Enter Low Berth waybills and other required operational information in the PBL MIS or approved system accurately and promptly.
• Verify that berthage, storage, private-crane handling and other applicable charges follow the approved PBL tariff and current financial instructions.
• Ensure invoices and supporting documents are delivered promptly so agencies can make payment to Accounts without delay.
• Report discrepancies in parking accounts, slot assignments, passes, waybills, invoices or operational records to Accounts, Finance or the supervisor responsible.

Safety, security and compliance

• Enforce posted speed limits, road markings, stop points, traffic signs, access rules and instructions issued by authorized Port personnel.
• Keep emergency routes, fire points, gates, barriers, drains, roadways and Low Berth operating areas always clear.
• Immediately report collisions, spills, cargo loss, property damage, injuries, near misses, security concerns and environmental hazards to Security, HSE and Operations as applicable.
• Apply emergency and disaster procedures and ensure Low Berth users comply with Port directions during an emergency or declared disaster period.
• Collaborate with Security, HSE, Accounts, Finance and other departments on safety, enforcement, payment and operational matters.
• Maintain professional conduct, impartial decision-making, confidentiality and courteous communication with drivers, tenants, vessel agents, crews and contractors.

General

• Attend briefings and training and remain familiar with current SOPs, tariffs, pass controls, emergency arrangements and operating notices.
• Provide clear shift handovers, including outstanding vessel movements, expected truck activity, incidents, refused access, system faults and approved exceptions.
• Perform other duties of a related nature assigned from time to time by the Senior Operations Supervisor, Operations Manager or Chief Operations Officer.

Qualifications            

• Associate degree in business administration, management, or a related field; additional training in port operations, logistics, security, occupational safety, maritime operations or administration is an asset.
• Relevant experience in port, marine, cargo, transport, security, access-control or logistics operations.
• Experience maintaining logs, verifying documents and using an operational or management information system.
• A valid driver's license and relevant Port or maritime certifications are an assets

Skills/ Competencies

• Sound judgment and the confidence to enforce access and safety requirements consistently.
• Strong attention to detail and accurate recordkeeping.
• Clear verbal and written communication and effective coordination across departments.
• Customer-service orientation combined with professional firmness and impartiality.
• Basic computer literacy, including the ability to use PBL's MIS and approved access or record systems.
• Ability to remain alert, manage competing movements and respond calmly to congestion, disputes, incidents and emergencies.
• Integrity, reliability, confidentiality and accountability.