Transit Inventory Specialist

The Transit Inventory Specialist performs responsible administrative and technical work in the development, purchase/ordering, maintenance, issuance, and inventory of parts and supplies for a fleet of light, medium and heavy vehicles, and equipment. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Transit Maintenance Manager.

Work Schedule: This position is currently assigned to the evening shift, with hours of approximately 12:30 PM–9:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and may require occasional Saturday work. Schedule is subject to change based on operational needs.

The hiring amount for this position is $27.30 an hour ($56,784.00 annually) in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1220 and the City of Charlottesville.  This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following leave and retirement benefits:

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi-weekly (increases with YOS).
• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi-weekly, approx. 120 hours per year with no limit on accumulation.
• 13 Paid Observed City Holidays
• 1 Floating Holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)
• Choice of retirement plan: 
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the “Benefits” tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage. 

Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description.  The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Optimizes availability of inventory for maintenance operations, reducing downtime and controlling costs to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of City assets and equipment.
• Receives, handles, stores and issues parts and supplies.
• Coordinates and arranges for purchase, order, and delivery of required parts, (including deferred maintenance parts), and supplies.
• Develops and maintains storage of and accountability for current stock.
• Assists in determining inventory stock levels and provides recommendations on the inventory levels on an annual or as-needed basis.
• Assists in monitoring charges by auditing vendor invoices and resolving supply billing and service issues/disputes with vendors, within level of authority.
• Maintains Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in online database.
• Maintains parts manual library.
• Maintains regularly stocked and needed items.
• Maintains a clean and safe work area.
• Conducts periodic inventories and location surveys.
• Coordinates ordering activities with Procurement/Finance Department when appropriate.
• Research spare parts and supply availability by part number, stock number, manufacturer, substitute item, higher assembly, fabrication, or other available resources, to provide economic and timely support.
• Packages and ships assemblies for return, repair, or re-build.
• Performs property disposal functions, as necessary.
• Picks up and/or delivers parts, as required.
• Prepares and maintains manual and automated records, inventories, and statistical information.
• Enters data and prepares reports to assist in the management of the repair parts program.
• Assists with analyzing data and reports to ascertain trends, conformance to standards, efficiency, and projected requirements.
• Enters work orders and monitors work order status.
• Supports departmental goal to provide dependable, efficient, and safe transportation service.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools, and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Subject to being called back to work to the City in emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High school diploma or GED AND two (2) years of experience related to inventory management processes that include ordering, sourcing parts, stockage, issuing, recordkeeping and accountability for parts and supplies. 

• Completion of the tenth grade AND four (4) years of experience related to inventory management processes that include ordering, sourcing parts, stockage, issuing, recordkeeping and accountability for parts and supplies.  

• Six (6) years of experience related to inventory management processes that include ordering, sourcing parts, stockage, issuing, recordkeeping and accountability for parts and supplies.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Preferred:

• Some experience in the automotive, truck or specialized equipment inventory management field.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria. 
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check, pre-employment drug screen, pre-employment physical and pre-employment DMV driving record review.
• Ability to work weeknights, weekends, holidays, and/or weather-related emergency on-call time periods.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics: 
Job Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of the acquisition, storage, accountability and issue of parts and supplies relating to automotive/motorized equipment field.
• Thorough knowledge of current warehousing and inventory practices; automated inventory control software and related business practices.
• Thorough knowledge of parts application, automotive systems, part sourcing, and maintenance functions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of terminology, procedures, processes, standards, and overall objectives related to inventory control.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions, including the appropriate handling and use of personal protective equipment, and specialized cleaning or hazardous supplies.

Reading

• Intermediate: Ability to read and understand written materials such as newspapers, magazines, journals, multi-step instruction manuals and reference materials. Understands and applies state, departmental and City processes, and procedures, as required.

Writing

• Intermediate: Ability to write reports, prepare materials such as business letters, and explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.  Responds effectively to inquiries and requests.

Math

• Intermediate: to estimate and make large purchases of materials and supplies, to project the financial needs of the department, and analyze and maintain budget expenditures. Ability to apply and utilize numbering systems, formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions, and measurement.

Communication Skills

• Basic: Provides simple information to others outside direct reporting relationships. Contact may require the consideration of different points of view to reach an understanding and gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas. Provides information and guidance that assists others in making decisions. Clearly explains information and/or concepts. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a variety of individuals. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, management, vendors, and the public.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires General Direction: Normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or processes. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.   Ability to work independently.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: Comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgement and decision-making appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities.  Ability to utilize related software programs effectively to complete job responsibilities.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities. However, may recommend budget allocations regarding purchases and completes research for documents, compiles data for entry/reporting purposes; may monitors budget expenditures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for the direction or supervision of others.

Other Characteristics

• Takes responsibility for finding answers to questions and responding appropriately.
• Time pressures.
• Performs multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Tedious and exacting work.
• Working closely with others.
• May perform work with interruptions and requests for service.
• May require additional hours outside of normal schedule.
• May require emergency response.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Demands:

• Heavy Work: Exerts up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Work requires walking, climbing (ascending/descending steps and or climbing ladders), lifting, balancing, bending, stooping, crawling, crouching, reaching, pushing/pulling, twisting, and grasping.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Work typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related industry-specific software. 

Work Environment:

• Work is typically performed indoors which may involve exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust. 
• The worker is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions, loud noise, vibration, and atmospheric conditions and may be exposed to roadway safety hazards.
• The position may work:

• Near moving mechanical parts.
• In and around fumes and/or airborne particles.
• In and around toxic chemicals and/or blood-borne pathogens.
• In areas where there is vibration.
• In and around traffic/roadways.
• In extreme temperatures.
• With acidic or harsh substances.
• With allergens and fuels.