Summary for:
Cargo and Freight AgentsDescription:
Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals, and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.Sample of reported job titles:
Sample of reported job titles: Dispatcher, Logistics Service Representative, Drop Shipment Clerk, Load Planner, Documentation Clerk, Freight Broker, Intermodal Dispatcher, International Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, Ship Broker
Tasks | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Activites | Experience | Example | Education | Work Style | Work Values | Related Jobs | Wage | Employment | Expected Growth | Expected Need
Tasks:
- Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
- Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of the arrival of freight or baggage, and arrange for delivery.
- Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
- Prepare manifests showing baggage, mail, and freight weights, and number of passengers on airplanes, and transmit data to destinations.
- Determine method of shipment, and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
- Check import/export documentation to determine cargo contents, and classify goods into different fee or tariff groups, using a tariff coding system.
- Estimate freight or postal rates, and record shipment costs and weights.
- Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by using a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
- Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
- Pack goods for shipping, using tools such as staplers, strapping machines, and hammers.
Knowledge:
| Oral Comprehension ó The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
| Oral Expression ó The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
| Written Comprehension ó The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
| Speech Clarity ó The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
| Near Vision ó The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
| Problem Sensitivity ó The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. |
| Speech Recognition ó The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
| Written Expression ó The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
| Deductive Reasoning ó The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
| Inductive Reasoning ó The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
Skills:
| Making Decisions and Solving Problems ó Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Getting Information ó Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Interacting With Computers ó Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships ó Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Processing Information ó Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Communicating with Persons Outside Organization ó Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work ó Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| identifying Objects, Actions, and Events ó identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings ó Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Documenting/Recording Information ó Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
Abilities:
| Telephone ó How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
| Contact With Others ó How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
| Spend Time Sitting ó How much does this job require sitting? |
| Time Pressure ó How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
| Duration of Typical Work Week ó Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| Structured versus Unstructured Work ó To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
| Electronic Mail ó How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
| Deal With External Customers ó How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate ó How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
| Freedom to Make Decisions ó How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
Work Activities:
| Title | Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed |
| Overall Experience | Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty. |
| Job Training | Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. |
| Job Zone Examples | These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers. |
| SVP Range | (4.0 to < 6.0) |
| Education | These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed. |
Work Style:
| 35-3022.00 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop  |
| 35-3041.00 | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant |
| 43-5041.00 | Meter Readers, Utilities |
| 43-5052.00 | Postal Service Mail Carriers |
| 43-5111.00 | Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping |
| 53-6021.00 | Parking Lot Attendants |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)