Paratransit Operator I

Who We Are
 At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries.
 
We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You'll join a diverse team of over 1300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world!

The City of High Point is currently seeking a Paratransit Operator that performs responsible semi-skilled work in the operation of a light transit vehicle transporting the elderly and persons with mental, emotional, and/or physical disabilities to various destinations as required.  Work is performed under the regular supervision of the Paratransit Supervisor.

• Operates a specially designed and equipped light transit vehicle including wheelchair lift or ramp;
• Boards and off-boards passengers;
• Assists passengers with boarding and leaving the vehicle;
• Secures passenger wheelchairs with tie down straps in vehicles;
• Ensures that passenger safety belts are secured;
• Escorts passengers from residences to light transit vehicle and from light transit vehicle to destination including pushing wheelchairs up or down ramps;
• Assists with or carries limited packages for passengers;
• Inspects light transit vehicle and related equipment and reports defects prior to departure and at end of shift;
• Prepares trip records regarding fares, mileage, vehicle defects, etc.;
• Receives fares and tickets and safeguards money;
• Provides routine information concerning the paratransit service to interested parties;
• Operates two-way radio, to inform office staff and other required personnel of traffic delays, accidents, etc.;
• Follows safety regulations at all times and prescribed accident procedures as necessary;
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned;
• Ensures that all work is performed in accordance with OSHA and City Safety Standards and Policies.

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must speak, read, and write the English Language
• Valid Class C North Carolina Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger (P) Endorsement
• Six (6) months of verifiable experience operating a similar or larger commercial vehicle
• Must be able to drive a light transit vehicle in typical urban traffic, work well under stress and pressure of time constraints.
• Must be able to work with the elderly and persons with disabilities.
• Must be able to work flexible schedules to include split shift, nights, weekends, and holidays. Vacation and holiday leave are subject to adequate coverage on all shifts.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Twelve (12) months of verifiable experience operating a similar commercial vehicle
• Spanish Language skills

Physical Requirements
Hearing/Speaking - Expressing and/or receiving information by means of spoken word are both necessary to converse with internal and external customers including co-workers, passengers, and the general public.
Visual Abilities – the ability to perceive via eyesight is required for this position:

• Acuity, far – clarity of vision at 20 feet or more. Primary responsibility is driving a handicapped accessible light transit vehicle. Worker must be able to see traffic conditions, other vehicles, traffic signs and signals, persons waiting at cross walks, street names, persons who need assistance, etc.  Both eyes 20/22 - R 20/25 - L 20/25 corrected.
• Acuity, near – clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Must be able to see vehicle controls, panel indicators, report forms, two-way radio, money, etc.  Both eyes 20/30 corrected 
• Depth perception – Three-dimensional vision and the ability to judge distance and space relationships. Must be able to judge distances so as to use both hands in performing different tasks at the same time and in seeing that passenger is safely secured before moving vehicle.  Depth Perception - 5
• Field of Vision – the area that can be seen up and down or to the right or left while eyes are focused on one point. Must be able to see wide span of area to cover surrounding and/or approaching traffic while looking at a given object or instrument. 
• Accommodation – Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus.  This is especially important when doing near-point work while glancing up to check light transit vehicle interior. 
• Must be able to adjust the eye lens to glance quickly back and forth to check conditions and people within the light transit vehicle to outside traffic conditions, signs and signals. 

Physical Strength – degree of physical demands typically associated with this position include:

• Heavy Work
  1. Exerting up to 50 pounds or more with assistance of force occasionally; and/or
  2. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently; and/or
  3. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects or assist passengers on or off the light transit vehicle.
• Type of Physical Demands
  1. Reaching - Extending the hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
  2. Handling - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand(s).
  3. Fingering - Picking, pinching or otherwise working with fingers primarily rather than the entire hand or arm.

Mental Activity/Requirements
Reasoning

• Ability to apply principles of logical thinking combined with knowledge of principles and practices of public personnel and employment laws to work tasks and handle practical situations and requests made by supervisors and passengers. Comprehend and respond to a variety of situations in a timely fashion and exercise good judgment.

Mathematics Ability

• Using arithmetic and/or Statistics: Essential when making change, counting money, and making reports.

Language Ability

• Read: Ability to read safety and other manuals, instructions, directions, street names, schedules, equipment readings, and other documents relating to job. 
• Write: Necessary to complete required reports. 
• Speak: Ability to be conversant in voice and diction so as to participate in discussions with other employees, supervisor, and the general public in person by telephone and two-way radio.

Environmental Conditions
Physical Surroundings

• A Paratransit Operator is subject to working inside and outdoors. Exposed to the various weather conditions and temperatures.  Although the worker will be located inside a light transit vehicle, he/she will be maneuvering the vehicle in various weather conditions, i.e., rain, sleet, snow, wind, etc., and will be out in those conditions at times when exiting the vehicle to assist passengers and wheelchairs boarding and/or exiting the vehicle.

Hazards

• Employee will be exposed to traffic jams and accidents.  Work is subject to final standards of OSHA on bloodborne pathogens.

Machinery/Tools/Work Aids/Other Equipment

• City light transit vehicles and all interior components such as doors, control buttons, two-way radios, fire extinguishers, wheelchair securement straps, ramps, lifts, schedules, trip records, fare tickets, cash, Personnel Resolution, computer, manuals, pens and pencils, and other work aids associated with the job.

Our Commitments
The City of High Point is committed to be an Equal Opportunity Employer which celebrates diversity and seeks to attract and retain the best qualified partners in service to the Citizens of the City of High Point. The City of High Point is an at-will employer and employees may be terminated or may terminate their employment at any time with or without reason for any reason not prohibited by law.
The City of High Point is committed to classifying and compensating its employees fairly and equitably for the work they do, weighed with both the internal capabilities and the external market. While the job description is not intended to and does not create a contract of employment, we are excited to use this “living document” as a guide for managing performance and positions to ensure job descriptions are reflective of the current work required by the incumbent or expected by any candidate to whom an offer of employment is extended.
The City of High Point is committed to providing a safe, comfortable working environment to all employees. To that end, we are proud to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as well as make reasonable accommodations to candidates and employees as we are able in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City’s drug and alcohol policy and (b.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending, or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired. Certain positions are considered so critical to the health and safety of others that a candidate cannot be placed in any of those positions without passing a pre-placement physical exam. Successful results from these conditions will result in an offer of employment.

Salary : $39,420 - $50,507