Employment

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19, applicants are asked to apply online.

POSITION  SUMMARY

The Chief of Staff (Cos) reports directly to the Executive Director of Rock Region Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO).  This is a full-time, exempt position.  In general, the CoS will oversee all aspects of employee and public relations, including recruitment, hiring, disciplinary issues, other human resource functions, marketing, advertising, and media management; plus METRO administrative functions including information and communication technology, and risk management.  The CoS is also responsible to continue the development and implementation of plans related to METRO's commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and justice within METRO and throughout the communities served by METRO. 

INTERNAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• In partnership with METRO's executive leadership team and other relevant community stakeholders, develop a comprehensive diversity, inclusion, equity and justice strategic plan.
• Create an implementation plan to validate and operationalize a long-term road map of initiatives that will develop a diverse, inclusive culture.
• Lead initiatives in partnership with METRO's executive leadership team, local community organizations, and diversity leaders and experts to develop inclusive leaders, create an inclusive climate, and design equitable structures throughout METRO's operations.
• Oversee the Director of Administration in developing diversity, equity, and inclusion orientation and training materials for all METRO employees as part of the on-boarding process.
• Supervise METRO's compliance with all applicable employment laws, regulations and policies, including workers' compensation, FMLA, FLSA, ADA, and all other Human Resource Functions.
• Facilitate regular anti-bias and relevant diversity training for all METRO employees.
• Monitor and certify compliance with EEOC guidelines.
• Provide guidance to the METRO EEO Officer and METRO staff on aspects of the Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy.
• In coordination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, develop measurable goals and realistic timelines to advance the objectives of METRO's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action Policy (AAP).
• Work with the Director of Administration to monitor and evaluate progress toward METRO EEO and AAP objectives and goals.
• Ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion metrics are included in employee evaluations as part of a data-oriented approach to drive decisions and measure success.
• Drive diverse talent identification and employee retention strategies and work with the Director of Administration to implement effective diversity recruiting strategies at all levels.

EXTERNAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Promote inclusion and engagement of all members of the communities served by METRO.
• Oversee the Director of Public Engagement and work to identify potential and appropriate community partners whose cooperation will enhance METRO's services, and foster relationships with those potential partners.
• Develop in an external plan to support key stakeholder relationships and build talent pipelines.
• Seek to identify and eliminate any race-based disparities in METRO's provision of services.
• Report internal diversity, equity, and inclusion metrics to the Board of Directors annually for review.
• Ensure METRO's compliance with all requests for public information under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
• Approve all press releases, marketing campaigns, and advertisements to maintain consistency in METRO"s branding, communications, message, and mission.
• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in cultural studies, human resources, organizational behavior, or a related field and 8 to 12 years of related experience.  A combination of education, certification, and experience may be substituted for educational requirements and requisite experience at the discretion of the Executive Director.
• Experience with leading diversity programs and an ability to view all aspects of work through a culturally competent lens.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development.  Demonstrated ability to initiate and lead efforts to access and implement changes to policies and practices in a collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Ability to effectively, clearly, and professionally communicate and represent METRO in all written and verbal interactions with multiple stakeholders and to groups of all sizes, including employees, press, elected officials, and members of the general public.
• Human Resources experience in an municipal or public environment is preferred.
• Ability to prioritize work and problem solve to accomplish competing objectives while meeting deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft operating programs, specifically Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to understand and comply with METRO's standards, safety rules, and personnel policies.

METRO is firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and will administer its candidate evaluation and hiring, personnel policies, and conduct employment practices in a manner that results in treatment based upon merit, experience and other work related criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

ABOUT ROCK REGION METRO

Rock Region METRO (METRO) is the public transit system for central Arkansas, historically serving almost three million passengers per year.  METRO service areas include Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle, Jacksonville and Sherwood as well as Pulaski County.  METRO comprises three branches: METRO Local, a fixed-route bus fleet serving Pulaski County; METRO Streetcar, a rail system operating in Little Rock and North Little Rock; and METRO Links, an on-demand Paratransit service.

Strong preference given to local central Arkansas candidates.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19, applicants are asked to apply online.

POSITION  SUMMARY
Provides transportation needs of the community by driving a Fixed Route schedule. Operates bus in a safe and efficient manner. Provides Customer Service by informing passengers of other routes schedules, fares, and transfer information. Assist passengers with special needs.

Essential Functions Statements

• Operate a city bus
• Requires sitting for long periods while operating bus.
• Must meet schedule demands of the particular route
• Must assist passengers in wheel chairs by securing wheel chair while on the bus.
• Provide passengers with general information of routes and schedules.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Accountability  - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy- Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Active Listening - Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.
• Communication, Oral- Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Conflict Resolution -Ability to deal with others in an antagonistic situation.
• Customer Oriented- Ability to take care of the customers' needs while following company procedures.
• Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
• Empathetic- Ability to appreciate and be sensitive to the feelings of others.
• Friendly - Ability to exhibit a cheerful demeanor toward others.
• Honesty I Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.
• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous.
• Reliability- The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.
• Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
• Tactful - Ability to show consideration for and maintain good relations with others.
• Responsible -Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one's conduct.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Education : High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED)
• Experience: Prefer one year of Commercial Driving (CDL) driving experience
• Certificates a Licenses: Class "B" CDL with a Passenger (P) endorsement
• Excellent Customer Service

Job Demands:
Physical and Mental Requirements:
This position requires working non-traditional and/or odd hours, split-shifts on various days of the week, including holidays. Work is primarily performed out of doors and on-board transit vehicles. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent must: Regularly hear, sit, reach with hands and arms, and use leg/foot to reach or handle controls. Regularly exert physical effort. Finger and manual dexterity are regularly needed to drive non-power steering vehicles and to operate door and dispense transfers. Frequently talk, walk, and use hands to handle or feel objects or controls. Regularly required to stoop, bend, and twist at the waist, occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, push or pull, and climb stairs. Possess visual acuity including distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Regularly be exposed to fumes, odors, and moderate noise. Have a high degree of memory and concentration. Must be able to work overtime as specified in the CBA.

No health and welfare benefits, but some opportunity for paid holidays. Starting pay $16.84 per hour, thereafter, the rates are in accordance with union contract.

METRO is firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and will administer its candidate evaluation and hiring, personnel policies, and conduct employment practices in a manner that results in treatment based upon merit, experience and other work related criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19, applicants are asked to apply online.

Essential Functions
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Two years of driving experience required, with at least six months experience driving vans, or larger vehicles, in heavy traffic, preferred. A valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class “B” with a Passenger endorsement is required to operate vehicles. Knowledge of the Paratransit requirements defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) preferred.

BASIC FUNCTIONS
• A Paratransit Bus Operator drives specially equipped Paratransit vans and vehicles over routes that may vary daily in order to effectively serve the transportation needs of people with disabilities, who are the Authority's Paratransit patrons.
• Provides curb-to-curb transportation in a courteous and efficient manner. Operate vehicles and perform all duties in accordance with the rules, regulations, and policies and consistent with the safety and welfare of the general public.
• Is responsible for safe operation of paratransit lifts and equipment and maintaining a reasonable schedule.
• Locate customer addresses through use of maps, directions and other aids.
• Pick up passengers at designated locations, discharge passengers at destination, collect fares, record time and miles and provide assistance in loading and securing passengers, when necessary.
• This position is also responsible for being a source of information for passengers as well as reporting traffic conditions and mechanical problems to appropriate departments.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass a physical examination, including drug / alcohol screen 
• Must have a favorable job history and satisfactory references 
• Employees must have the ability to arrive at work on time to permit maintenance of schedules
• Must have the ability to read map coordinates for pick-ups’ given by dispatch.

Job Demands:
Physical and Mental Requirements:
This position requires working non-traditional and/or odd hours, split-shifts on various days of the week, including holidays. Work is primarily performed out of doors and on-board transit vehicles. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent must: Regularly hear, sit, reach with hands and arms, and use leg/foot to reach or handle controls. Regularly exert physical effort. Finger and manual dexterity are regularly needed to drive non-power steering vehicles and to operate door and dispense transfers. Frequently talk, walk, and use hands to handle or feel objects or controls. Regularly required to stoop, bend, and twist at the waist, occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, push or pull, and climb stairs. Possess visual acuity including distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Regularly be exposed to fumes, odors, and moderate noise. Have a high degree of memory and concentration.

Hours of Work: Variable shifts, 8 hours a day, 5 days of the week for 40 hours. Will include weekends.

Salary Range: Training/Starting $15.05 per hour, thereafter, the rates are in accordance with a Collective Agreement between the ATU Local 704 and Rock Region METRO.

METRO is firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and will administer its candidate evaluation and hiring, personnel policies, and conduct employment practices in a manner that results in treatment based upon merit, experience and other work related criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19, applicants are asked to apply online.

POSITION  SUMMARY
Provides transportation needs of the community by driving a Fixed Route schedule. Operates bus in a safe and efficient manner. Provides Customer Service by informing passengers of other routes schedules, fares, and transfer information. Assist passengers with special needs.

Essential Functions Statements

• Operate a city bus
• Requires sitting for long periods while operating bus.
• Must meet schedule demands of the particular route
• Must assist passengers in wheel chairs by securing wheel chair while on the bus.
• Provide passengers with general information of routes and schedules.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Accountability  - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy- Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Active Listening - Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.
• Communication, Oral- Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Conflict Resolution -Ability to deal with others in an antagonistic situation.
• Customer Oriented- Ability to take care of the customers' needs while following company procedures.
• Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
• Empathetic- Ability to appreciate and be sensitive to the feelings of others.
• Friendly - Ability to exhibit a cheerful demeanor toward others.
• Honesty I Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.
• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous.
• Reliability- The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.
• Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
• Tactful - Ability to show consideration for and maintain good relations with others.
• Responsible -Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one's conduct.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Education : High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED)
• Experience :Minimum of one year of CDL driving experience
• Certificates a Licenses: Class "B" CDL with P endorsement
• Excellent Customer Service

Job Demands:
Physical and Mental Requirements:
This position requires working non-traditional and/or odd hours, split-shifts on various days of the week, including holidays. Work is primarily performed out of doors and on-board transit vehicles. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent must: Regularly hear, sit, reach with hands and arms, and use leg/foot to reach or handle controls. Regularly exert physical effort. Finger and manual dexterity are regularly needed to drive non-power steering vehicles and to operate door and dispense transfers. Frequently talk, walk, and use hands to handle or feel objects or controls. Regularly required to stoop, bend, and twist at the waist, occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, push or pull, and climb stairs. Possess visual acuity including distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Regularly be exposed to fumes, odors, and moderate noise. Have a high degree of memory and concentration. Must be able to work overtime as specified in the CBA.

Full package of benefits; health, dental, vision, life, deferred compensation, and paid vacation & sick time. Starting pay $16.84 per hour, thereafter, the rates are in accordance with union contract.

METRO is firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and will administer its candidate evaluation and hiring, personnel policies, and conduct employment practices in a manner that results in treatment based upon merit, experience and other work related criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.