On-Board Courier- Independent Contractor

On-Board Courier – Independent Contractor

Location: Remote/Travel-Based; proximity Boston Intl Airport
Engagement Type: Independent Contractor
Travel: Domestic and international, sometimes with limited advance notice

About Mercury

Mercury specializes in time-critical logistics for the healthcare and life-sciences industries. We coordinate the secure transportation of research materials, diagnostic products, medical devices, clinical supplies, and other high-value or time-sensitive shipments throughout the United States and internationally.

The Opportunity

Mercury is seeking reliable, professional independent contractors to perform on-board courier assignments. An on-board courier personally accompanies a shipment from its origin to its destination, maintaining custody and providing real-time updates throughout the journey.

Assignments may involve domestic or international air travel and can arise with limited notice. Contractors are offered assignments individually and may accept or decline each opportunity based on their availability. Assignment frequency and volume are not guaranteed.

Responsibilities

For each accepted assignment, the contractor may be responsible for:

• Collecting a sealed shipment from a designated location, airport, airline facility, or Mercury service partner.
• Maintaining continuous possession and chain of custody throughout the assignment.
• Traveling with the shipment on scheduled commercial flights.
• Verifying shipment labels, documentation, seals, and piece counts at collection and delivery.
• Following the assignment-specific handling, security, temperature-control, and communication requirements provided by Mercury.
• Completing airline check-in, security screening, customs, and immigration procedures as applicable.
• Providing timely milestone updates, including collection, airport arrival, check-in, departure, arrival, customs clearance, and final delivery.
• Immediately reporting delays, missed connections, damaged packaging, temperature concerns, customs issues, or other exceptions.
• Safeguarding shipping documents and other confidential information.
• Delivering the shipment directly to the authorized recipient and obtaining proof of delivery.

Qualifications

Successful contractors should have:

• Prior experience in aviation, logistics, international travel, healthcare logistics, or other onboard courier services
• A valid passport with sufficient remaining validity for international travel.
• The ability to travel domestically and internationally on short notice.
• The legal ability to enter the countries required for an accepted assignment.
• Reliable transportation to and from their originating airport.
• A dependable smartphone with international calling, messaging, email, and data capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to follow shipment-specific instructions.
• The ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during delays or other travel disruptions.
• A professional appearance and customer-service mindset.

Physical and Travel Requirements

Contractors must be able to:

• Navigate airports, airline terminals, customs facilities, and public transportation independently.
• Remain available throughout long or irregular travel itineraries.
• Lift, carry, and maneuver shipments weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable assistance.
• Adjust to flight changes, overnight travel, weekends, holidays, and changing time zones.
• Comply with all airline, airport, customs, immigration, and security requirements.

Mercury Business Services considers qualified contractors without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.