Transportation Support

FLSA: Non-Exempt from Overtime

General Summary: Under the general supervision of the Operations Supervisor or his/her designated representative, Part-Time Transportation Support Personnel provide assistance to BMT's Special Service passengers while en-route.

Principle Duties

1. Assists individuals with disabilities board and de-board the vehicles.
2. Assists individuals with disabilities while in transit.
3. Expedites the transfer of individuals with disabilities from one vehicle to another.
4. Attends meetings and/or seminars, as required.
5. Prepares reports, as required.
6. Performs other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports directly to the Dispatchers and Operations Supervisor.

Knowledge/Education/Experience

1. Must maintain confidentiality.
2. Must maintain a valid Michigan Driver's License, with appropriate endorsements as required by law.
3. Must successfully pass the Company physical examination, including testing negative for drugs and alcohol.
4. Must successfully complete the Authority's training program.
5. Knowledge of Bay County desirable.
6. Ability to operate all Authority lifts.
7. Ability to properly use all types of Authority seat belts.
8. Ability to properly use all types of wheelchair hold-downs.
9. Ability to properly use bus radio equipment.

Physical Effort

1. Sitting - frequent: The TSP rides the bus through a pre-determined route.
2. Standing/Walking - frequent: Provides physical support-stability to the passengers while boarding and de-boarding the vehicles. Assists ambulatory passengers climbing the stairs in or out of the vehicle, or maneuvers wheelchair into the designated areas.
Assists in transferring passengers between vehicles. This may mean negotiating a distance of 1-4 bus lengths on concrete pavement.
3. Postural Change/Reaching - frequent: Positional change including forward reach is required to attend to the safety of the passengers while maneuvering them into designated areas and securing seat belts or tie-down systems. Must demonstrate sufficient strength and stamina to handle the awkwardness of maneuvering passengers in wheelchairs. A significant amount of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching is required to secure the wheelchair.
4. Lifting - occasional: Maximum weight = 35 lbs. Required to assist passengers with disabilities into their safety seats.
5. Push/Pull - frequent: Responsible for maneuvering wheelchairs into position and securing incline to access the lift platform was measured at 70 lbs. Push strength required was measured at 20-30 lbs.
6. Stair Climbing - occasional: Ascending and descending in and out of the vehicle requires negotiation of steps.
7. Talking/Hearing/Seeing - Must demonstrate sufficient visual acuity and hearing to respond to the passengers. Communication between the TSP, drivers, and passengers is required.

Summary: Transportation Support Personnel are placed within the medium range of physical demand characteristics, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Within the medium level the operator would be expected to manage 50 pounds on an occasional basis (0-33% of the work day), 20 lbs. On a frequent basil (34-66% of the work day), and 10 lbs on a constant basis (67-100% of the work day). Management of greater weight may be required depending on the route and the passengers.