Parking Meter Attendant

Township of Lower Merion; Ardmore (PA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Township of Lower Merion is seeking a Parking Attendant to enforce meter and time-zone regulations, patrol parking areas, and assist the public. The role involves writing tickets, documenting violations with photos, and coordinating with the police department as needed.

Responsibilities include responding to inquiries, ensuring safety, testifying in court when required, and training new attendants. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to work flexible shifts including weekends.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; experience dealing with the public and clerical work is a plus.
• Must pass pre-employment physical.
• Valid driver’s license and annual auto insurance verification.
• Ability to travel to various Township locations.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Proficiency with handheld devices and smartphones, and basic computer tools.

Responsibilities

• Enforce parking regulations and issue tickets for violations.
• Patrol streets and parking lots on foot and use handheld devices to monitor time limits.
• Report missing or damaged signs and dangerous conditions to the proper authority.
• Provide public assistance and directions; respond to inquiries.
• Coordinate with police for traffic control during incidents and accidents.
• Maintain safety and confidentiality, follow safety guidelines and policies.

Skills

Public interaction

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Time management

Organizational skills

Defensive driving

Witness/court testimony

Documenting violations

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for parking meter enforcement and maintenance for the Township of Lower Merion (Township). Work involves patrolling Township streets and parking lots on foot and writing parking tickets for vehicles in violation of time limits on meters and time zone streets. Notes missing traffic signs, reports other dangerous conditions and assists the public.
• Work is performed under close supervision with minimal latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Works under the general direction of the Director of Parking Services.
• Monitors parking duration in timed zones using handheld devices.
• Patrols parking lots and residential areas, observes unsafe conditions and defective meters, and reports issues to proper authority.
• Issues tickets and citations for parking violations.
• Applies knowledge of state motor vehicle laws when issuing tickets.
• Documents violations with photographs to support citations.
• Uses personal vehicle to perform work duties in addition to working on foot.
• May be required to testify in court on behalf of Township.
• Initiates radio communications with Township police department as necessary.
• Fills in for meter maintainers when needed and helps with meter collections and deposit slips.
• Trains new parking meter attendants.
• Troubleshoots machines and equipment issues both in the field and in the office.
• Provides customer service and public assistance including travel directions.
• Directs traffic during accidents or incidents in collaboration with the police department.
• Requests wellness checks for vehicles parked for extended periods.
• Conducts parking lot surveys to assess utilization rates.
• Uses equipment to maintain parking lots including lawn care and snow removal machinery.
• Assists with snow removal and enforces snow removal regulations including notifying and citing residents in violation.
• Follows Township and public safety guidelines and protocols and performs job functions in a safe manner; reports all safety hazards per established policies and procedures.
• Responds to inquiries, questions and comments from the public per established standards and protocols; responds to and resolves inquiries, issues and complaints or escalates to proper authority.
• Upholds strict confidentiality in dealing with sensitive information, including personnel matters, legal documents, financial data, contracts, and other proprietary information.
• Required to work flexible shifts including morning, afternoon, evening, and some weekends hours based on organization responsibilities and assignments.
• Coordinates work schedules with coworkers and department head to ensure adequate shift coverage.
• May be assigned to other departments or divisions to perform required duties, as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and some experience dealing with the public and clerical experience; OR a combination of experience, certification, education and training that demonstrates expertise in the related areas.
• Must successfully pass all conditions of employment which may include a pre-employment physical.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and provide annual verification of personal auto insurance.
• Must have transportation to get to assignment at various locations throughout the Township.
• Knowledge of effective interpersonal skills and their application in customer service.
• Skill in operating handheld devices and smartphones, typing on various screens and utilizing relevant applications.
• Skill in applying problem-solving abilities to de-escalate challenging situations calmly and efficiently.
• Skill in time management, multitasking and organizational tasks.
• Ability to learn and become proficient in the use of Microsoft 365 applications (Word, Outlook, and Excel) and its tools for communication and collaboration, such as Teams and OneDrive, applicable department tools and specialized software as required.
• Ability to perform calculations accurately and efficiently.
• Ability to practice safe and defensive driving skills, demonstrating risk management and awareness of surroundings including people, vehicles and directions.
• Ability to recognize and distinguish various vehicle models and license plate designs from different states.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to follow Township and public safety guidelines and protocols and perform job functions in a safe manner.
• Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure, diffuse potentially confrontational situations and resolve disputes.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance to ensure efficient and effective performance of duties.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Physical Requirements

• Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort usually involving some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 30 pounds). Usually involves some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and extended periods of time standing and/or walking.
• Tasks are regularly performed outside with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes and/or poor ventilation, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes, machinery and/or moving vehicles, vibrations, electric currents, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, gases or chemicals, oils and other cutting fluids, violence and/or disease or pathogenic substances.
• Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity. Some tasks may involve identifying and distinguishing colors. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to drive for a minimum of 1 hour, sit for a minimum of 1 hour and walk for a minimum of 6 hours per workday.
• Ability to bend, stoop and lift up to 20% of the workday.
• Ability to use both hands for simple grasping and firm grasping of tools, equipment and objects.
• Ability to perform job functions in all types of weather and temperatures.
• Ability to drive an automobile.