Transportation Coordinator

Transportation Coordinator—Wheels to Work Program
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Good News Mountaineer Garage
Good News Mountaineer Garage’s (GNMG) mission is to provide reliable vehicles to low-income West Virginians so that they can access work or critical educational opportunities in order to move off welfare and support themselves and their families. Our mechanics transform old, donated cars and trucks into reliable, safe, roadworthy vehicles that our clients can use to climb out of poverty. Especially in West Virginia, where public transportation is rare, access to a safe and reliable car is the critical linchpin needed to obtain an education, access health care, and commute to otherwise unavailable employment sites.
Our work and our vehicles set our clients on the road to economic independence which, in turn, leads them to safer housing, improved health care, and access to other necessities within our community that so many of us often take for granted. GNMG has delivered over 3,200 vehicles to low-income recipients since we opened in 2001. Over 85% of recipients used these vehicles to graduate out of welfare, and all used the vehicles to improve their lives. Low-income families cannot hope to escape poverty without a regular source of income, and few can obtain that income without transportation to access employment, training, and education.
In 2019 GNMG and National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) launched a new initiative, called the West Virginia Wheels to Work program to dramatically provide additional opportunities for vehicle ownership to low-income people in the state to enable more workers to access employment opportunities. During the 2020 legislative session, we convinced the WV legislature to pass HB 4969, creating a Used Car Donor Tax Credit Program. The new law created by this bill provides state subsidized incentives for the donation and reduced-price sale of safe and reliable used vehicles through a program that provides low-cost financing for low-income West Virginia workers (defined as living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level). Through the state tax credits provided under the bill, cars purchased through the program will be reduced by as much as $4,000. So a $10,000 car will be sold for $6,000.

At the same time, we have established a partnership with Element Federal Credit Union (EFCU) to provide low-rate financing for the purchase of these cars (6 to 8% instead of the 18% to 25% normally charged to low-income buyers with poor credit scores).
A critical part of the new Wheels to Work program is the financial literacy training and counseling program provided to participants, that will facilitate their successful completion of the financing contract for their car purchase, empower solid financial decisions in the future, and improve their credit program.
GNMG’s experienced mechanics will ensure that the vehicles purchased through the program are reliable, safe and affordable.
Responsibilities of Transportation Coordinator:
• Financial empowerment and counseling—The transportation coordinator will:
o Provide to applicants a robust financial literacy education program.
o Work with applicants (low-income workers living at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Level) to ensure that they are ready for the credit undertaking to purchase their vehicles through the program;
o Work closely with the participants throughout their loan terms to encourage timely payments. Funds will be available to help participants deal with emergency financial needs, and the coordinator will refer participants to appropriate community and governmental partners for additional available benefits.

Illustrative Responsibilities:
• Provide participants with direct support, case management, and follow-up on program progress:
o Conduct applicant screenings, assist participants throughout the entire program process;
o Provide participants with appropriate referrals and resources, including to other social service agencies;
o Regularly follow-up with participants.
• Provide one on one financial coaching:
o Assist participants in resolving financial concerns and focus on financial health to shift the approach toward proactive financial management;
o Assist participants in improving their credit score, net worth, and net income:
 Work with all participants to develop a budget and provide strategies for improvements;
 Access and document the participant’s credit report/score and provide strategies for credit building;
o Monitor the status of each participant’s employment;
o Monitor job retention.
• Provide workshops and community education:
o Utilize partnerships to offer educational workshops to affordable vehicle program participants;
o Conduct affordable vehicle program participants orientation and enrollment sessions on an as needed basis.
• Maintain and track program files, participant data and other records to illustrate effectiveness of the program and areas that could benefit from improvement:
o Track stories and successes of program participants;
o Monitor status of applications, insurance, and participants’ payments;
o Assist Element Federal Credit Union with participant contact, loan repayment, and reports.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field and/or business management preferred or any equivalent combination of education and related work experience;
• Previous experience in social services with target population, program administration with proven organizational skills, and an understanding of benefits programs rules and requirements;
• Advanced computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and internet and resource savvy;
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Salary/Benefits:

• The salary for this position is in the mid 50,000 depending on experience;
• Full, generous benefits are currently provided through Good News Mountaineer Garage, including medical, dental, life insurance, and retirement;
• The position is full-time and is based out of the organization’s main office in Charleston, WV.
• Good News Mountaineer Garage is and equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

How to Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume, as well as a list of references to [email protected] no later than December 8, 2020.

Your cover letter should clearly state your relevant experience, your interest in this position, and why you are the best candidate for the Transportation Coordinator position. Applicants should include “Transportation Coordinator” in the email subject field.

No agencies. No calls please.