Over ten years ago, Employment and Human Services partnered with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to create the transportation services unit to address the transportation needs of the CalWORKs Welfare to Work participants. The department recognized that access to transportation was a barrier for CalWORKs Welfare to Work participants' ability to become self-sufficient. In support of the Department's commitment to providing coordinated transportation services the classifications of Transportation Services Manager and the Transportation Specialist were established and positions were filled in 2007. The Transportation Services Manager's primary responsibilities are to manage and monitor the transportation services program and budget; serve as the department's liaison and representative at State Transportation Task force, Metropolitan Transportation Commission and County Transit Authority; grant writing; and program design and development. The Transportation Services Specialist's primary responsibilities are to implement and manage transportation programs and services. Current incumbent, Mr. Flamand, was hired on May 16, 2008 in the Transportation Services Specialist position to monitor contracts, such as the Rides to Success program, which provides limited bus rides and/or taxi services to CalWORKs Welfare of Work participants to and from work and/or childcare centers. On January 1, 2009 the Transportation Services Manager was laid off. Since 2009, the Transportation Services Specialist has assumed the responsibilities for the department's transportation services. The incumbent has maintained the Transportation Services Specialist duties and assumed the responsibilities of the Transportation Services Manager. The department recognizes and attributes the success and growth of the Transportation Services Program to the incumbent’s ability to assume the role of the Transportation Services Manager. Under the incumbents administration and management the Transportation Services Program developed the "Keeping Employment equals Your Success" (KEYS) program, which offers low interest car loans to CalWORKs Welfare to Work participants. The KEYS program assists CalWORKs Welfare to Work participants in obtaining a low interest loan (financed by Contra Costa Credit Union) to purchase a retired Contra Costa County car (Public Works/General Services fleet). Currently, Mr. Flamand monitors 20 - 30 loans per year. The success of the program is attributed to Mr. Flamand participation and curriculum development of the Money Management and Credit Skills workshops, part of the department's Workforce Services Job Club Program; workshops are attended by CalWORKs participants. The KEYS program has received statewide recognition and acknowledgment as an innovative and supportive program to participants receiving public assistance. Mr. Flamand is the department's lead liaison at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the County Transit Authority which is critical to the management and growth of the transportation program. In addition, Mr. Flamand assumed the responsibilities of grant writing and seeking additional funding opportunities to support new and expansion of transportation services that will continue to support the department's commitment to addressing transportation problems faced by CalWORKs participants. Human Resources reviewed the full scope of work duties and level of responsibilities performed by the Transportation Services Specialist and found that 85% of the preponderance of duties are within the Transportation Services Manager classification. Thus in efforts to properly classify and compensate the current Transportation Services Specialist, it is Human Resources recommendation to reclassify the Transportation Services Specialist position #13549 and its incumbent to Transportation Services Manager effective April 1, 2015.