Assistant Site Monitor

In order to support community health during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Eugene has temporarily adjusted its enforcement process around prohibited camping in order to help people experiencing homelessness to stay in place and reduce the potential for infectious disease spread. These adjustments align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, Oregon Health Authority, and Lane County Public Health.

The City continues to work with Lane County and partners in the community to find safe places for unhoused community members, including the newly established microsites, Safe Sleep sites, additional Rest Stops, overnight car camping sites and in existing shelters. However, it is still the case that many people experiencing homelessness are residing in Eugene’s parks, natural areas, and right of way areas for the time being.

During the pandemic, the City has developed criteria that set parameters around location of camps, safety and cleanliness, acceptable behaviors and impacts to neighbors, the environment, and city infrastructure. Further, there are locations in Eugene’s parks, natural areas, and the rights of ways that are not acceptable for camping at any scale due to unmitigable impacts on the environment, neighborhoods and the usability of parks and public infrastructure such as streets.

As a member of the Parks and Open Space Division, an Assistant Site Monitor is assigned to areas in the park system where camping is temporarily permitted. The primary focus of this position is to help Site Monitors keep the sites clean by removing garbage and debris and transporting it to a designated dumping or storage area. This position may also help increases voluntary compliance with the criteria, and address issues early on that affect surroundings neighbors, businesses, or other campers. Works closely with the Eugene Police Department and the Park Ambassador teams as well. Makes program improvement recommendations.

• Performs manual clean up related duties in area of assignment
• Operates trucks involved in cleanup.
• Hands out garbage bags.
• Explains the criteria for staying in place to those camping and other members of the public.
• Seeks voluntary compliance with criteria and park rules.
• Hands out any new safety, health, etc. information as needed.
• Lets campers know where to properly dispose of garbage.
• Lets campers know about the locations of needle boxes and the other facilities at the location.
• Keeps other staff apprised of any hazards.
• Notifies the proper channels if restrooms, handwashing stations, or dumpsters are not being serviced, are broken, or not meeting the needs.
• Notifies the proper channels of any emergencies occurring on site.
• Works with Eugene Police Department, or other security service as needed.
• May tracks field activities on mobile device.
• Monitors areas for damage to grounds, equipment and/or facilities. Reports hazardous situations and maintenance needs through a maintenance management system to the appropriate staff.
• Generates maintenance work orders for repairs, as needed.
• Provides supervisors and managers with necessary information to coordinate follow up on citizen concerns.
• Actively supports and respects diversity in the workplace.

Knowledge of:

• Principals of good customer service.
• Principals of effective communication, both orally and in writing.
• Situational awareness.

 Ability to:

• To perform the examples of duties performed
• Learn public space rules and regulations.
• Learn functions of City departments, other public service providers and local social service agencies, or the ability to learn in a reasonable amount of time.
• As needed utilize on-line computerized reporting systems, or the ability to learn in a reasonable amount of time.
• Learn applicable state and city laws, codes, zoning, and administrative rules and legal procedures in a reasonable period.
• Work harmoniously and maintain effective working relationships with the public, the department, City organization and other agencies, and effectively communicate to a diverse public.
• Provide excellent customer service in sometimes stressful situations and the ability to remain calm, clear, professional, and positive, when explaining policies, rules and procedures, while also being able to assess possible violations, develop solutions and apply practical judgment.
• Apply conflict resolution and communication techniques, to communicate effectively with diverse communities and the ability to adjust communication style to audiences as appropriate.
• Learn general signs of mental illness and substance abuse and best practices for working with these populations in the capacity of an Assistant Site Monitor.
• Obtain general knowledge of how to communicate with people with mental health and substance abuse issues.
• Work in a team situation.
• Communicate effectively with Central Lane Communications, members of the Eugene Police Department, or other security service employees.
• Work outdoors in various weather situations.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Utilize computer and hand-held mobile devices to track activities, make service requests and, write objective, factual reports.
• Understand and follow verbal and written instructions.

Experience and Training Guidelines - Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job.

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience and Training:
High school diploma, or G.E.D. equivalent.
 
One-year experience in manual work in custodial, maintenance, security, grounds keeping or building maintenance.  
 
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, and maintain an appropriate valid Oregon Driver's license.
 
This position does require candidates to pass a physical exam - including drug screen.