Marine Information Agent (On-Call)

King County   Seattle, WA   Full-time     Education
Posted on September 28, 2024
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Salary

$31.54 - $35.51 Hourly

Location

Seattle - Downtown Core, WA

Job Type

Short Term Temporary, Part Time, Std Wkly Hrs Vary

Job Number

2024ELM22748

Department

MTD - Metro Transit

Division

Marine

Opening Date

09/27/2024

Closing Date

10/14/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

AB1 : Maritime Coalition-Deck&Agents

Full- or Part-Time

Part Time

Summary



Learn how Metro connects you with what matters

* This position is open to current King County employees and the general public. *

The Marine Division with King County Metro Transit is hiring for multiple On-Call Marine Information Agent positions for the Water Taxi team.

Marine Information Agents work shoreside at our Water Taxi terminal, which is located at Pier 50 on the Seattle waterfront. Marine Information Agents provide front-line communication with boarding passengers and the public regarding ferry services, sailing schedules, fares and fare media, terminal facilities, complaints, accessibility, and related topics. These positions directly support the County's interest in ensuring our commuters have a reliable way to access our downtown core through our Vashon Island and West Seattle service routes. Additionally, Information Agents have the opportunity to receive vessel-related training in order to also provide support aboard the Water Taxi vessels.

The Short-Term Temporary/On-Call Marine Information Agent positions provide a great opportunity for those looking to earn supplemental income while having the flexibility to accept work when available. On-Call Marine Information Agents fill a vital role with King County Water Taxi by supplementing the current workforce and helping to staff vacant shifts as needed. Short-Term Temporary/On-Call positions are not benefit-eligible, and available shifts and hours will vary.

This recruitment will immediately fill up to two (2) Short-Term Temporary (STT)/On-Call positions. This recruitment may be used to create an eligibility pool to fill future Short-Term Temporary (STT)/On-Call openings in this classification and division. Eligibility pools remain valid for six (6) months upon creation, or until the pool is exhausted, at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Interviews are anticipated to occur between Monday, October 21, through Friday, October 25, 2024 , though dates are subject to change.

King County Water Taxi System

King County has been operating Water Taxi services since October 2009. In 2019, the Marine Division joined King County Metro to help Metro meet its goals of incorporating multiple modes of transit that including: buses, boats, trains, shuttles, accessible services, and rideshare programs.

The Marine Division operates the Water Taxi ferry service on two routes in Puget Sound, both originating at Pier 50 in downtown Seattle: one route to West Seattle and the other to Vashon Island. Both routes provide year-round service 7 days a week, 11 to 16 hours daily.

To Apply:

Forms and Materials Required
  • An online employment application with employment history going back at least ten years if you have ten years of employment (or more to include all relevant experience). Be sure to list all job duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving.
  • Completed supplemental questions .
Note : A cover letter/letter of interest and/or resume are highly encouraged, but are not required. Other uploaded documentation will not be considered.

Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible?
We highly recommend visiting the Career Support Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective: Career Support Services - King County .

Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ's- King County .

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Erica Minshull, Talent Advisor for King County Metro Transit
Erica.Minshull@KingCounty.gov or 206-477-6059

Job Duties



Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. Job duties include but are not limited to:
  • Advise customers regarding ferry policies and special services; provide information on the use and purchase of county and regional fare products; respond to public inquiries on wide-ranging topics related to ferry operations, transit connections, community information, and points of interest; suggest transit options and connections to reach desired destinations.
  • Replenish fare media stock in ticket vending machines at various terminal locations and perform routine hardware and software maintenance including battery and computer board change-outs
  • Prepare, maintain, and replenish information and brochure displays; assist with routine and special event public outreach activities; assist with onsite coordination of passenger controls and information sharing with other co-located ferry operators (Kitsap Fast Ferries and Washington State Ferries); provide administrative support associated with ferry information function including responding to requests for brochures and schedules.
  • Conduct initial intake of customer complaints or commendations, convey to customers the complaint resolution process; provide customer feedback to management on ferry services.
  • Respond to lost article notifications and inquiries; attempt to locate lost articles through appropriate staff; warehouse, classify, and record found articles; notify and instruct owners on procedures to claim recovered items.
  • Follow safety and security procedures in accordance with the Marine Divisions Safety Management System and King County policies; contact law enforcement or other appropriate first responders when directed or circumstances dictate; convey incident information and facilitate response efforts. ?Work with security personnel to ensure good facility security. ?Follow protocols in the event of a heightened level of maritime security.
  • Assist during emergencies that may include evacuations, emergency closures, and accident/incident responses and investigations.
  • Maintain electronic and physical signage at ferry terminals.
  • Serve as point of contact for armored car service vendor collecting fare revenues; comply with and facilitate adherence to appropriate revenue control protocols; report revenue in accordance with rate schedules, revenue control procedures, and County financial management guidelines.
  • Perform housekeeping duties at the Pier 50 facility, float, and public walkway that include but are not be limited to; cleaning employee restrooms, mopping floors, washing windows, picking up trash, emptying garbage bins, power washing, removing stains, graffiti, chewing gum, and excrement.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills



To be considered eligible for this role, applicants must possess these MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Possess a valid Transportation Workers Identification Credential ( TWIC ) issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
  2. The ability to provide accurate, timely, and polite service to the traveling public, including providing appropriate guidance to customers in the event of an emergency situation.

The most competitive applicants will also possess these desirable qualifications:
  • A valid United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD) or Merchant Mariner's Credential ( MMC ), with minimum endorsement of Ordinary Seaman (OS).
  • Experience providing high-volume customer service to the traveling public or at large events.
  • Knowledge of customer relations techniques and customer service etiquette.
  • Experience with crowd control techniques and/or coordinating the activities of large groups of people.
  • Ability to address customer concerns, de-escalate situations involving heightened emotions, apply problem-solving techniques, and identify circumstances that require assistance.
  • Willingness to provide additional support to vessel operations by acting as a Deckhand when needed.
  • Experience, education, and/or training related to the maritime industry.
  • Knowledge of ferry operations and services, as well as other transit services available throughout King County.
  • Experience with, or the ability to learn how to properly operate, various electronic equipment, such as security cameras, fare collection kiosks, and communication equipment.
  • Ability to use a personal computer, Microsoft Office 365 applications (such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams), and agency-specific software and/or databases.
  • Ability to work effectively with others in a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity in its workforce and where differences are valued.
  • Ability to demonstrate behaviors that include fairness, respect, and inclusiveness.
  • Ability to respond safely, effectively, and expeditiously during an emergency.
  • Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Ability to be punctual in order to provide reliable sailings as scheduled for the traveling public.

Supplemental Information



Union Membership This position is represented by Inlandboatmen's Union of Pacific (IBU)
Class Code 4330100 Marine Information Agent (AB1: Maritime Coalition-Deck & Agents)

Work Environment and Location

This position will have you standing or walking most of the day. You will be working indoors at a ferry terminal and outdoors on the pier and surrounding areas. The Pier 50 facility is located in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square district, within easy walking distance to popular urban residential neighborhoods like Queen Anne, South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, and near bus lines, Link Light Rail and the Sounder (commuter train) Station.

Work Schedule
These positions are non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and are eligible for overtime pay with supervisor approval. In most cases, shifts can last anywhere from 4 to 10 hours daily. These positions are not eligible for telework/remote work.

The Short-Term Temporary/On-Call positions do not have guaranteed hours. Shifts offered may be offered in advance to cover for known, planned absences (such as vacation coverage), and may also include shifts to cover unplanned staffing shortages with little advance notice.

Safety Sensitive

These positions are considered safety-sensitive. Applicants for positions defined as safety-sensitive are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and, subsequent to the commencement of employment, will be subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal DOT alcohol and controlled substances testing program protocols.

Selection Process

Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above . Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as drug and alcohol testing, background checks, DOT physicals, and internal record reviews or reference checks.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.


Guided by our " True North " , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Need assistance?

Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions in the Application FAQs at www.KingCounty.gov . If you have any questions related to this job posting, including needing the announcement in an alternative language format, or regarding accommodation requests for the application or assessment process, please contact the recruiter listed for this posting.

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King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite activity centers
  • Employee Giving Program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.