Lost & Found Specialist

About the Department

Position Duties

1.  Inspect, organize, and inventory incoming lost and found items received from bus garages and light rail facilities to ensure items can be quickly accessed if and when an owner is identified.

• Review items to ensure bag contents match the contents documented on the garage log received with the items.
• Look for identifying information in bags, purses, backpacks, wallets, cell phones, and other items to assist in identifying owners.
• Assign storage locations and maintain organized shelving, bins, and secure storage areas in accordance with agency policies.
• Identify hazardous, perishable, or prohibited items and handle or dispose of them according to established policies and safety procedures.

2. Review reported lost item records, coordinate the return of recovered property, and maintain accurate inventory and retrieval documentation.

• Review and update lost item logs to determine whether reported items are in Lost & Found possession.
• Contact identified item owners by phone, email, or other communication methods to coordinate mailing of recovered items or pickup through Smart Lockers.
• Prepare and send recovered items to customers through approved mailing processes.
• Place recovered items in Smart Lockers and utilize Smart Locker software to generate customer access codes.
• Update inventory and tracking logs when items have been mailed, retrieved, or otherwise returned to customers.
• Clear Smart Lockers and update records as appropriate.

3. Purge, dispose of, and return unclaimed lost and found items in accordance with agency policies and procedures.

• Prepare, purge, dispose of, and return unclaimed lost and found items in accordance with agency policies.
• Prepare and purge unclaimed bicycles for pickup by external donation partners.
• Update appropriate logs with information regarding items that have been purged or returned to employees.

4. Manage and maintain inventory records for lost bicycles received at the Heywood facility.

• Inventory, photograph, move, and secure recovered bicycles.
• Upload bicycle photographs and related information to the SharePoint lost bike log.
• Coordinate with external vendors regarding bicycle pickup.
• Research bicycle ownership through available resources and coordinate with local law enforcement agencies to determine whether bicycles have been reported stolen.

5. Review previously reported lost items to identify and return property received after the initial report.

• Review reports of lost items from the two-week purge date and after to identify items that may have been received after the initial report was submitted.
• Review and update lost item logs to determine whether reported items are in Lost & Found possession.
• Contact identified item owners by phone or email to coordinate mailing of recovered items or pickup through Smart Lockers.
• Prepare and send recovered items to customers through approved mailing processes.
• Place recovered items in Smart Lockers and utilize Smart Locker software to generate customer access codes.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate and two (2) years of recent full-time equivalent customer service experience providing service by phone, email, written correspondence, or in person; the required experience should be within the last five (5) years. 

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• More than two (2) years of full-time equivalent customer service experience providing service by phone, email, written correspondence, or in person. 
• Experience working with a diverse workforce.
• Experience using Microsoft Products and navigating multiple windows, screens and programs.
• Ability to type a minimum of 30 words per minute. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse customers (ASL, ESL, Relay and Language Line) and work groups including de-escalation.
• Ability to read and interpret documents.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Knowledge of customer service principles and practices.

• Knowledge of inventory control, recordkeeping, and tracking procedures.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint.

• Skill in providing customer service and responding to inquiries in a professional manner.

• Skill in maintaining accurate inventory records, logs, and documentation.

• Skill in utilizing computer applications, databases, and electronic tracking systems.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Ability to learn and utilize new software applications and technology systems, including Smart Locker software and inventory tracking systems.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, employees, vendors, law enforcement agencies, and community partners.

• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

• Ability to lift, move, transport, and organize lost property, including bicycles and other oversized items.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Other Qualifications

1.  We review your minimum qualifications. 
2. We review your Work Record Evaluation (for ATU employees only).
3. We rate your education and experience. 
4. We conduct a structured panel interview.
5.  We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history.  A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job.  If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.
 
If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards.  A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. 

If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email [email protected].

Benefits

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success!   In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels.   Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:
 

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council.  You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

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Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerMetropolitan CouncilAddress 390 Robert St. N.

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101 Website https://metrocouncil.org