Job Description

About Us

Marquette Transportation Company and Canal Barge Company are leaders in the marine transportation industry. Following investments by Redwood Holdings in Marquette and Canal Barge, the family of brands now includes Marquette River and Offshore divisions, Canal Barge Company, Illinois Marine Towing, Canal Terminal Company, Canal Analytical and Environmental Services and Pelican Marine. This integrated network builds one of the industry's largest fleets with nearly 150 vessels, more than 4,000 barges, over 100 deck barges and 2,000 skilled mariners.

Headquartered in Paducah, Kentucky, and founded in 1978, Marquette is a leading provider of marine transportation services. Through an integrated towing network, Marquette operates across more than 6,000 miles of navigable waterways, including the Mississippi River System and its tributaries, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the nearshore tugboat market.

Founded in 1933 and headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Canal Barge is one of the largest privately-owned marine transportation companies in the United States. Canal Barge has a successful track record of developing long-term and mutually profitable partnerships with major companies in the refining, petrochemical, power generation, oilfield service, construction, and materials industries.

About the Role

We are seeking a friendly, organized, and service-minded Receptionist to serve as the first point of contact for our office and an important part of the candidate and employee experience. This is a highly customer-facing, phone-heavy role that requires someone who is comfortable managing a steady flow of calls, visitors, and candidate inquiries while providing a professional and welcoming experience.

In addition to front desk responsibilities, this position provides administrative support to the Recruiting and HR teams. Because the role is frequently the first point of contact for prospective and current employees, the ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of the recruiting process and be comfortable answering general employment-related questions, directing candidates to the appropriate resources, and supporting recruiters with scheduling and coordination.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and can balance exceptional customer service with accuracy, organization, and confidentiality.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Serve as the first point of contact for the office by answering a high volume of incoming calls, assisting callers with general inquiries, and directing calls to the appropriate team member.
• Welcome and assist visitors, candidates, employees, and other guests, ensuring they are greeted professionally and directed to the appropriate person or appointment.
• Respond to candidate and applicant inquiries by phone and in person, providing accurate information or connecting them with the appropriate member of the Recruiting or HR team.
• Provide a positive and professional candidate experience throughout the initial stages of the hiring process.
• Assist recruiters with scheduling interviews and coordinating candidate appointments.
• Confirm scheduled interviews, pre-employment physicals, and other candidate appointments as needed.
• Provide general information regarding the employment and onboarding process while appropriately escalating questions requiring recruiter or HR assistance.
• Process employment verifications and rehire eligibility requests, as needed.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to candidate and employee inquiries and requests.
• Sort and distribute incoming mail and process outgoing mail and packages.
• Provide administrative and clerical support to the Recruiting and HR teams as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive candidate, employee, and company information.
• Provide a high level of customer service and support to employees and internal departments.
• Assist with other administrative, recruiting, and HR-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years of experience in a customer-facing, receptionist, administrative, call center, or similar role preferred.
• Previous experience in recruiting, human resources, staffing, or another employment-related environment is a plus.
• Comfortable handling a high volume of telephone calls and interacting with a steady flow of candidates, visitors, and employees.
• Strong customer service mindset with the ability to remain professional, patient, and helpful in every interaction.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with a wide range of individuals.
• Ability to learn and speak confidently about basic recruiting and employment processes.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while effectively managing multiple priorities and interruptions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a commitment to accurate and timely work.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable learning and navigating computer-based systems.
• Self-motivated, dependable, punctual, and professional.
• High level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Collaborative attitude with a willingness to support both the front office and Recruiting/HR teams.
• Ability to exercise good judgment regarding when to assist independently and when to escalate a question or issue to the appropriate team member.
• World-class customer service skills and a genuine desire to help people.

Note: The physical work location will start in St. Rose, LA and move to Metairie, LA in early 2027.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it.

Marquette offers competitive pay, health, dental & vision insurance, 401K plan with company match, bonus plan, company paid life insurance, short- & long-term disability, flexible spending account, critical illness, accident insurance, and other incentives!

Marquette is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. By clicking the link below, you authorize Marquette Transportation Company, LLC to contact you by any method at the number provided.