Employee Counselor - 220

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

Performs supervisory and administrative functions that are necessary to monitor and improve the performance, attendance, and discipline of a large group of full-time and part-time bus and paratransit operators. Responsible for reviewing requests for absence, processing and verifying sick leave benefit claims and counseling operators for attendance and discipline issues. Develops and administers programs to improve performance monitoring and communication with operators. Responsible for developing and following counseling work requirements and standard operating procedures. Responsibilities are difficult and varied in nature, requiring tact, discretion and strong interpersonal skills.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Sets an exemplary example to subordinate employees in dedication to duty, general conduct, safety, attendance, personal appearance, and attitude.
• Investigates customer complaints, incidents, accidents, and internal reports to determine operator fault, if any.
• Ensures that all discipline is conducted in accordance with the “Memorandum of Working Conditions for Hourly-Paid Employees”, and the “Operators Manual of Rules and Procedures” and all related amendments and bulletins.
• Administers positive discipline as necessary to bus and paratransit operators for violations of VIA policy, rules and regulations. Monitors operator discipline history to determine the proper level of discipline.
• Responsible for monitoring the attendance of probationary, full-time, and part-time bus and paratransit operators. Identifies those operators not meeting attendance standards and administers counseling and disciplinary action as required. Contacts operators that have not provided required documentation.
• Responsible for conducting annual performance evaluations for all bus and paratransit operators. Utilizes various reporting software to create performance reports for all operators.
• Administers VIA’s fitness for duty program, identifying operators exhibiting signs of being unfit and scheduling fitness examinations with VIA’s health provider.
• Identifies operators exhibiting signs of intoxication and refers such operators for reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.
• Responsible for processing bus and paratransit operator sick, military, and death-in-family leave claims. Reviews claims for validity and verifies required documentation.
• Processes jury duty leave for bus and paratransit operators. Receives jury summons from operators, applies jury absence status in Trapeze OPS, forwards attendance certificate to payroll with claim for benefit pay. Maintains a database containing all related documentation.
• Responsible for the administration of FMLA leave for bus and paratransit operators. Monitors eligibility and tracks leave usage to remain in compliance with law.
• Administers the part-time operator “over/under” program, ensuring that part-time operators work at least one day on the weekend and a minimum of fifteen hours per week and a maximum of thirty-two hours. Prepares counseling documents and counsels non-compliant operators.
• Administers the recurring operator fitness physicals and maintains records to establish due dates and specified intervals between physicals. Refers operators to medical contractor as required.
• Administers the newly hired, promoted, and transferred probation program.
• Monitors operator attendance, disciplinary actions, accident history, and other relevant metrics. Counsels operators on their progress through the probationary period. Conducts orientation sessions for graduating student operators to advise them of what is required to successfully complete probation.
• Oversees bus and paratransit operator disciplinary probation program. Monitors operator compliance with the terms of probation and conducts periodic progress reviews with the operator.
• Hears operator grievances for disciplinary actions assessed by the counselor. Provides written responses in accordance with requirements specified in the Working Conditions document.
• Provides employee well-being counseling. Must be familiar with VIA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and with available local support agencies. Refers employees to available charitable and counseling resources.
• Oversees operator unpaid leave requests. Determines eligibility through review of operator attendance history.
• Supports bus and paratransit operator recognition efforts including, but not limited to, commendation letters, Excellence Awards and the Operator Fantasy League.
• Provides department-controlled information requested through Open Records Requests.
• Monitors and evaluates operator requests for secondary employment outside of VIA.
• Maintains records of all department activity and provides reports in support of department and company objectives. Provides reports in support of federal requirements.
• Contacts bus and paratransit operators to instruct them to submit incident/accident reports as required.
• Makes recommendations for updates to standard operating procedures, bus and paratransit operator manuals, and the Working Conditions document.
• Follows the Department Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines for Discipline Assessment.
• Serves to facilitate communication between management and operators as point of contact for answering questions and disseminating information.
• Oversees department activity in the absence of the Manager of Transportation Administration.
• Maintains and supports a safe work environment while complying with all VIA safety rules, policies and procedures.
• Adheres to safety rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure the wellbeing of VIA employees, customers, and business partners.
• Must have knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing public transit systems.
• This job description excludes marginal functions that are incidental to performing the job. Other duties may exist.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High School education or equivalent, plus additional applicable Business School, College or trades training courses or training equal to two (2) years of college and at least three (3) years applicable transit experience with an exemplary record, or an acceptable combination thereof. Public transit driving experience preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be knowledgeable of the “Operators Manual of Rules and Procedures” and the “Memorandum of Working Conditions of Hourly-Paid Employees.”
• Must be able to deal tactfully with operators and the general public.
• Must maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information, materials, and personnel data.
• Must analyze situations, identify problems, and recommend solutions.
• Exercise judgment and creativity in making decisions.
• Interact professionally with various levels of VIA employees and outside representatives.
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Must be able to motivate and instill high performance and productivity.
• Must be conscientious, capable, honest, loyal and efficient.
• Must have basic computer usage skills including familiarity with the Microsoft Office Suite of programs and the ability to learn Trapeze Ops, the AVL system, and other specialized software.
• Must have mathematical skills to perform basic calculations.
• Must be able to prepare and type accurate reports. Proficient knowledge of English; grammar, punctuation and spelling. Proofread work and correct errors.
• Must be able to understand, interpret, and apply law, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Must be able to make independent judgments within the limits of standard practice.
•  Must be able to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Must be able to deal effectively with employees and maintain an effective working relationship with employees and ATU representatives.
• Must be able to handle multiple assignments.
• Must be able to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Must maintain good work attendance.
• Must have Class C driver’s license, good driving record and ability to drive patrol car.
• Positions in this classification are considered safety sensitive under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) drug and alcohol regulations.
• Must be able to maintain good work attendance.
• Safety Accountability Statement:
• Employees must consider safety in all tasks performed, as well as demonstrate safe judgment and decisions that not only maintain their own safety; but that of fellow employees.
• Demonstrate a professional commitment to assure compliance with all organizational policies, practices, and programs related to safety, health, and system security.
• Employees have a responsibility to identify and report hazards, as well as potentially unsafe conditions, to your immediate supervisor or Safety Department.
• Employees are responsible and required to stop a job/task to prevent an unsafe incident or act from occurring. This acknowledges the threat of potential injury, property damage and opportunity for better judgment to be used.
• Must comply with and support VIA’s EEO policies and the Diversity Program.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to occasionally bend, stoop, twist, squat, kneel, climb stairs, and reach.
• Must be able to frequently walk, sit, and stand.
• Must be able to occasionally lift objects weighing 5-25 pounds such as files, supplies and reference books.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Inside and outside work.
• Work hours may involve early morning, late night, weekends and/or split shifts.
• May involve shift work.

VIA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal opportunity to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or disability.

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