Cargo / Freight Agent

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Air Export Specialist; Drop Shipment Clerk; Freight Broker; Intermodal Dispatcher; International Coordinator; Load Planner; Logistics Coordinator; Logistics Service Representative; Ship Broker; Traffic and Documentation Clerk

Tasks

• Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
• Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
• Track delivery progress of shipments.
• Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
• Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
• Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
• Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of freight or baggage arrival and arrange for delivery.
• Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
• Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.

Knowledge

• Transportation
• Geography
• Public Safety and Security
• Administration and Management
• English Language
• Education and Training
• Law and Government
• Administrative
• Customer and Personal Service
• Telecommunications
• Communications and Media

Skills

• Speaking
• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Writing
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Near Vision
• Written Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Selective Attention
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity