Lost & Found Specialist

Lost And Found Specialist

The Lost and Found Specialist performs specialized customer service and inventory management work supporting Metro Transit's Lost & Found operations. Responsibilities include receiving, inspecting, inventorying, organizing, tracking, and disposing of lost and found property received from bus garages, rail facilities, and other Metro Transit locations. The position coordinates the return of recovered items to customers through direct communication, Smart Locker distribution, or mail services;

maintains inventory records and tracking systems; administers lost property retention and disposal processes; and coordinates with internal departments, external agencies, and vendors regarding unclaimed property. Work also includes the physical handling, movement, storage, and organization of a wide variety of lost items, including bicycles and oversized property.

This posting will fill two (2) vacancies and Hourly Pay Range:
For candidates newly hired into the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) contract, starting wage is set by the ATU contract. Internal hires will follow Metropolitan Council's union wage guidelines. This position is open to both internal and external applicants however, internal candidates will receive priority.

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…