Freight Agent - HOU

Freight Agent

We are committed to providing our employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest customer.

For external applicants only:

• Southwest Airlines will consider your interest for this position if you are currently a resident of the State of Texas.
• Southwest Airlines will not consider your interest for this position if you have been interviewed by phone, virtually, and/or in-person and not selected for the Freight Agent position at HOU within the last 12 months.

Pay of $21.01 per hour, with the opportunity for future increase per applicable collective bargaining agreement wage scale based on time in position. Opportunities for overtime and shift premiums.

Benefits you'll love:

• Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too)
• Southwest will help fund your Retirement Savings Plan, which includes a dollar for-dollar 401(k) Company match contribution up to 10% of your eligible earnings
• Potential for annual profit-sharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Planwhen Southwest profits, you profit
• Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents
• Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the first day of employment. You'll have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan, and coverage will be retroactively available to your first day of employment.

Want to be part of a small but mighty team that helps move important shipments across the country? Freight Agents at Southwest work outside and in our Cargo facility to safely load and unload cargo, including packages, U.S. Mail, fresh seafood, and even life-saving medical items. You'll work with other airport teams to keep flights on schedule and make sure shipments get where they need to go. You'll help customers who ship with Southwest Cargo, adjust priorities as needed, and support a smooth operation every day. As a Cargo Agent, you'll learn new skills, work with a close team, and play a big part in helping Southwest succeed.

This role is part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which means pay, schedules, and other job details are set through an agreement with the labor union. Work schedules are based on seniority and may include early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays. There may be times when mandatory overtime is required to support flight operations, but there are also opportunities to trade shifts and find a schedule that works for you. U.S. Citizenship required under Federal regulations.

We're committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.

Responsibilities

• Provides friendly service to and maintains positive relationships with all internal and external customers
• Works in a cooperative spirit to ensure the success of our company
• Works in air freight facilities
• May be exposed to a wide variety of weather conditions and jet and machinery noise and fumes
• Responsible for opening/closing of the air freight facilities at which they are working
• Handles Station AMS and radio communications traffic as needed
• Checks Cargo information for each flight
• Answers Cargo facility telephones
• Resolves customer situations by providing positively outrageous service
• Writes and submits irregularity reports as required
• Checks cargo on hand to see that it is properly logged and accounted for
• Checks that all board mail and company material is dispatched and sent to indicated stations
• Responsibilities include greeting and handling customers in a polite and friendly manner
• Re-manifest cargo due to weight restrictions, delayed or cancelled flights, lost, delayed, or damaged shipments
• Conducts federally mandated screening of all cargo shipments according to the Southwest Airlines TSA approved security program
• Handles cash, checks, credit cards, and coupons as forms of payment for shipments. Computes charges, makes change and balances daily transactions.
• Handles any aspect of processing a cargo shipment by operating a computerized point-of-sale system; resolving related complaints and problems
• Properly maintains and wears the uniform by company regulations and presents a neat and professional appearance while on duty
• Provides friendly service to all co-workers and customers. Performs special task or assignments as delegated by supervisor or station management personnel
• Responsible for ground security and assuring operations follow security procedures
• May perform the duties of an operations agent. Further information can be found in the operations agent job description
• Must be able to meet any physical ability requirements listed on this description
• May perform other job duties as directed by employee's leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work well with others as part of a team, meet the public, and work under stressful situations
• Must be able to obtain and maintain GSC qualification
• Must comply with DOT drug and alcohol testing program
• Ability to read documents, follow instructions, learn and understand ramp operations procedures, rules and regulations
• Ability to type and/or use a computer keyboard with sufficient speed to meet demands of the job
• Must successfully complete operations/freight agent training program with a 90% or greater average and evaluation/probationary period
• Must be aware of hazardous situations and be able to handle emergencies as needed
• Able to work under pressure and handle many functions at once with many different offices and/or groups of people
• Must work under tight time constraints to accomplish quick turns of aircraft
• Must possess good written and oral skills
• Must be able to effectively communicate verbally by telephone, face to face and public address systems
• Must be able to be alert to moving vehicles or aircraft and use radio equipment
• Must be able to communicate information and instructions verbally or via radio equipment

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Preferred: College coursework or degree

Experience

• Preferred: Two years of airline/military related work experience in ramp/operations/provisioning functions

Licensing/Certification

• Must be able to obtain a SIDA badge and meet all local airport requirements
• Must possess a valid state motor vehicle operator's license
• May be required by station leadership to obtain a customs seal and meet all requirements to work international flights

Physical Abilities

• Must be able to lift and move items of 70 pounds and/or more
• Must be able to climb, bend, kneel and stand on a frequent basis and for extended periods
• Must be able to carry heavy items up and down jetway stairs
• Must be able to distinguish each color displayed on every type of screening equipment
• Must be able to hear and respond to the spoken voice and to audible alarms generated by screening equipment
• Must maintain the ability to wear prescribed uniforms

Other Qualifications

• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per company appearance standards as described in established guidelines
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to comply with company attendance standards as described in established guidelines
• Ability to work shift work and/or overtime
• Ability to read, speak and write English
• Foreign language skills are desirable, but not required

*The pay amount doesn't guarantee employment for any particular period. **401(k) Company match contributions are subject to the plan's vesting schedule. Match contributions may vary based on the position.

***Profit-sharing contributions are subject to the Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and are made