Careers FAQ

Reporting to the Chief Steward, Customer Service Attendants are responsible for:

• Taking food and beverage orders from passengers and relaying orders to the galley; portioning and serving items from the steam table; responding to special menu or serving request; assisting passengers with trays.
• Selling and serving alcoholic beverages.
• Assisting with the presentation of hot and cold menu items.
• Clearing and cleaning table and chairs in passenger areas; carrying dishes and trays to bus stations; scraping off food remains; separating wet compost; assisting in sorting cutlery and dishes.
• Performing housekeeping and major cleaning routines including sweeping, cleaning, scrubbing, washing, vacuuming floors, cleaning bulkheads, deckheads, elevators, furniture, windows, galley, galley appliances, steam tables, beverage machines, lines and taps, and cleaning coolers; picking up papers and garbage and emptying garbage containers; operating garbage compactors; sorts recyclables for removal; mixing cleaning solutions.
• Cleaning washrooms, wiping down counters, sinks, mirrors, disinfecting toilets and urinals, replacing hand towels and toilet paper.
• Performing additional duties including preparing food service facilities for opening; readying the facilities for on-coming watches and closing facilities; checking stores for sufficient supplies and unloading; lifting, carrying, replenishing, and rotating stores; reporting equipment failures; assisting in vessel refit storing and de-storing.
• Providing information to passengers about ferry schedules.
• Performing marine emergency duties in drills and emergency situations including but not limited to passenger management, operating evacuation systems, handling fire hoses, and lookout duties.

What you bring to the team

You possess strong customer service skills, with the ability to work in a high-volume customer focused environment in a physically demanding job and are an excellent communicator with a high level of self-motivation and initiative. In addition, you are an innovative team player who works well under pressure with the ability to be flexible and adapt to a change in task when necessary.

You have one (1) year of customer service experience, preferably in a food service environment. A valid Seafarer’s Medical, Food Safe Level 1 and Serving it Right Certificates are required and can be obtained upon receiving an offer of employment.

Preference may be shown to applicants who hold an Occupational First Aid Level 3 and/or Professional Cook Level 1.

Interested? Here are videos explaining more about this role:

Customer Service Attendant video #1 ❯

Customer Service Attendant video #2 ❯

Reporting to the Terminal Manager, Foot Passenger Ticket Agents are responsible for:

Foot Passenger Ticket Agent duties:

• Calculating and collecting passenger fares; receiving cash or corporate media; and processing employee passes.
• Responding to passenger inquiries; providing route and schedule information; directing passengers to appropriate berths and Terminal facilities; and arranging assistance for elderly or disabled travellers.
• Carrying out revenue procedures, preparing the float, cashing up, filling out the bank deposit, and inputting daily sales totals into the computer and filing copies.
• Ensuring that the ticket booths are stocked with boarding passes, charge card forms, and other revenue documents.

Vehicle Ticket Agent duties:

• Acquiring a float and ensuring that there is an adequate stock of schedules and media items in the booth.
• Operating a cash register; determining and calculating appropriate fares; accepting cash, credit cards, or corporate media payments; directing passengers to correct lanes for their destinations; ensuring that traffic line-ups at the ticket booth are progressing in a timely fashion.
• Dispensing information to the public regarding ferry sailing times, other ferry routes and services, and tourist information, and communicating with Tower Controllers.
• Preparing pre-deposits of cash between sailings and final bank deposit at end of shift.
• Balancing cash and media sales, preparing the float for return at the end of each watch, compiling and checking revenue information, inputting the day's sales into a computer; and filing information.

What you bring to the team

You are a positive, customer focused individual who thrives in a fast-paced customer focused environment. You work well independently and in a team environment and possess excellent communication skills. In addition, you are comfortable working outside in all weather conditions.

You have one (1) year of experience in customer service and one (1) year of experience in cash handling with a complex POS system.

Ticket Agent video ❯

Reporting to the Terminal Manager, Terminal Attendants are responsible for:

• Directing traffic during loading/unloading procedures, pre-inspecting vehicles to ensure they comply with size restrictions and dangerous cargo regulations; redirecting vehicles to the correct holding lane; and identifying vehicles that may represent a safety hazard on the vessel.
• Communicating in person, by phone and by handheld radio with the Tower, Ships Officer, and Terminal Supervisor to ensure the safe and efficient loading and discharge of vessel traffic.
• Maintaining the Terminal buildings and the Terminal grounds including emptying trash containers, sweeping the compound; washing down building exteriors and interior and exterior windows; cleaning the washrooms; and dusting and vacuuming building interiors.
• Responding to passenger queries; providing route and schedule information; and assisting passengers with problems.
• Working on ramps and docks; assisting with vessel docking, handling mooring lines; giving the all clear for vessel departure as required; assisting the vessel in ship-to-shore power hook up; checking for and advising the vessel of any potentially hazardous conditions including dangerous goods, oversize vehicles, and weight restrictions; and working with the loading officer and vessel crew for the safe transit of vehicles between shore to vessel. Additionally, operating a variety of company vehicles, including large trucks, in restricted spaces.
• Performing additional duties including stocking the Coffee Shop and general Terminal stores; handling baggage and lost and found items; conducting security rounds; driving the forklift; participating in fire drills and responding to emergency situations; moving furniture; shoveling and salting snow and ice; handling ships lines; and operating rescue boats, garbage compactors, and terminal vehicles.

What you bring to the team

You are enthusiastic, reliable, and service orientated individual who excels working in a fast passed customer focused environment. You are an excellent communicator and work well in a team environment. In addition, you are comfortable working in a physical environment and working outside in all weather conditions. Please note that terminal operations run 24 hours a day, and applicants will be required to work graveyard shifts as operationally required.

You have one (1) year of customer service experience and possess a Class 5 or 7N Drivers Licence with a clean ICBC Drivers Record Report.

Preference may be shown to applicants who hold an Occupational First Aid Level 3.

Here is a great video that gives you some insight into the role. Have a watch and see if this is the right position for you:

Terminal attendant video ❯

As a first point of contact to the public, you respond to customer telephone enquiries and requests, book, cancel and modify travel for our customers, and provide professional and timely information and assistance regarding all aspects of BC Ferries' operations. 

In this role, you work full-time in a call centre environment and are available for various shifts (mornings, days, evenings, weekends, holidays, and on call) across our hours of operation (6am-10pm Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm on weekends). 

What you bring to the team

• Positive attitude with strong communication and interpersonal skills
• 1 year of applied experience in sales and customer service related environments
• Successfully completed Grade 12
• Intermediate to advanced computer proficiency
• Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Familiarity with social media platforms is an asset
• Willingness and ability to learn new systems and software (Training will be provided for our reservation booking system, and other software tools used in our Customer Service Centre.)

Customer Service video ❯

Reporting to the Warehouse Manager, Warehouse Stockpersons are responsible for:

• Receiving goods including checking for quality to ensure adherence to approved specifications, verifying quantities received, invoice pricing and other required details to purchase order.
• Ensuring proper inventory rotation.
• Reviewing and adjusting orders, picking, assembling, packing, and delivering to vessels and various other locations.
• Performing additional warehousing tasks including operating warehouse equipment, driving motor vehicles up to 5-ton trucks, entering data into systems, communicating by telephone and email, picking up and delivering mail, handling recycling, and transporting dangerous goods such as oxygen bottles.
• Responding to internal and external customer inquiries.
• Counting inventory, documents, and investigating discrepancies.
• Performing additional duties including custodial duties, general maintenance of warehouse trucks and shipping units, and pre-inspections of all equipment as and when required.

What you bring to the team

You are a clear and concise communicator with an ability to identify and resolve discrepancies using a high level of judgement and initiative. In addition, you can work in a team environment with minimal supervision and can operate motorized equipment safely.

You have a minimum of 2 years' experience working in a warehouse environment and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. A valid Class 5 Drivers’ License with a clean drivers’ record is required and a valid Food Safe Level 1 is required and can be obtained upon receiving an offer of employment.

Preference may be shown to applicants who have post-secondary courses in Warehouse or Supply Chain.

Reporting to the Chief Offier/Mate, Deckhands are responsible for:

• Directing vehicle and foot passenger traffic on the vessel, and to and from shore to the vessel
• Communicating in person and or by radio with ships’ officers and ticketing staff
• Checking propane tanks are shut off, and tagged
• Securing car decks and foot passenger gates prior to departure
• Carrying out under direction general ships’ husbandry, cleaning and maintenance duties of the interior and exterior of the vessel including but not limited to garbage pickup, cleaning mess rooms, stairwells and interior windows; pushing, pulling and lifting heavy stores; chipping and scrapping surfaces; and painting
• Patrolling the vessel to watch for unusual situations, potential safety hazards and passenger compliance with regulations; standing fog, bridge or anchor watch; steering the vessel under the direction of a deck officer when serving as a quartermaster; and keeping a constant lookout for marine traffic and navigational hazards
• Performing additional duties as assigned which may include standby anchors during docking; participating in fire and boat drills; performing emergency duties; conducting checkoffs for self-contained breathing apparatus and firefighting; doing vehicle counts; assisting with annual refit and life raft exchange; spreading salt; splicing rope; taking inventory; and changing navigation lights

What you bring to the team

This position requires Marine Emergency duties training – STCW Basic Safety (MED A1 and MED B2) and Proficiency in Survival Craft (MED B1). You have the ability to react in a safe and effective manner during an emergency and to direct and control vehicles and passengers. You have a working knowledge of safe work practices and seamanship and ability to climb ladders, handle ships’ lines and move heavy objects.

Preference may be shown to applicants with a Bridge Watch rating or higher certificate. Applicants must hold a valid Seafarers’ Medical Certificate.

Reporting to the 1st Engineer (Major Vessel)/ Chief Engineer (Minor Vessel), Engine Room Assistants are responsible for:

• Monitoring machinery including maintaining oil and water levels; checking temperatures and pressures of main and auxiliary engines, gear boxes, compressors and winches; ensuring operation of boilers; handling chemicals for testing; monitoring all pumps; relieving the watch; and doing rounds. Communicating in person and or by radio with ships’ officers and ticketing staff
• Performing general housekeeping including cleaning of all shipboard machinery, bilges and spaces; prepping and painting machinery and engine room spaces; removing garbage; and polishing brass fixtures
• Assisting the Engineers with maintenance work including oil and filter changes, engine adjustments, steering gear checks, and leg alignments; starting main engines and auxiliaries; taking lube and fuel oil samples; and assisting with major overhauls and refits
• Performing daily work routine including taking fuel soundings; pumping dirty oil tanks; assisting in receiving fuel on board; checking void spaces; and cleaning oil strainers
• Performing safety checks; ensuring emergency systems are in order; participating in emergency and safety drills; attending safety meetings; receiving stores; and repairing equipment defects in other departments

What you bring to the team

This position requires Marine Emergency duties training – STCW Basic Safety (MED A1 and MED B2) and Proficiency in Survival Craft (MED B1). You have an ability to prioritize and complete tasks in a safe and timely manner while monitoring and maintaining mechanical, electrical, and propulsion systems.

A mechanical background including formal training and/or a Transport Canada Engine Room Rating certificate is considered an asset. Preference will be given to those with a 4th Class Motor Certificate.