Via is using technology to transform transportation around the world. From changing a single person’s daily commute to reducing humanity’s collective environmental footprint — we’ve got huge goals.

We operate multiple paratransit services across the U.S. and are committed to offering reliable and efficient transportation solutions for individuals with special mobility needs. Our focus is on maintaining high standards of service, ensuring punctuality, and providing a frictionless experience for our passengers. 

As a Paratransit Ride Plan Optimizer, you will be involved with every component of our game-changing paratransit transit deployments - from initial setup, daily process execution and continuous improvement, to our highest priority - serving the drivers who make our services possible and getting our riders where they need to go! 

Ride Plan Optimizers like you are the masterminds behind day-of ride plan adjustments to respond to unexpected events like vehicles going out of service or drivers calling out sick at the last minute to ensure 100% of rides are served on time. As a Paratransit Ride Plan Optimizer you therefore play a critical role in ensuring paratransit rides across the U.S. are served with the highest quality possible. The ideal candidate will love brain teasers, have strong analytical skills and operate calmly under pressure. 

Note: this is a shift-based position requiring availability in early mornings (beginning 4AM Eastern Time) or late-nights (until 2AM Eastern Time). This is a contract position through our partner, HireArt.

What You'll Do:

• Maintain and enhance a service's On-Time Performance by proactively identifying and resolving issues that may prevent drivers from reaching assigned riders on schedule.
• Optimize a paratransit service’s manifest (“ride plan”) with the aim of ensuring all rides can be completed with the available fleet, identifying late rides and reallocating to available drivers to ensure an on-time arrival
• Proactively identify changes in same-day driver schedule changes and trigger front line outreach to drivers for shift extensions or new shifts 
• Ensure no rider is left behind by escalating to supervisors when no solutions are found for riders not assigned to drivers
• Coordinate with scheduling and front line teams to ensure effective communication to riders where relevant 
• Propose and implement improvement strategies to optimize ride plans, ensuring better alignment of rides with driver shifts.
• Lead a night-before ride plan process and preparation to ensure rides correctly assigned to drivers and vehicles
• Recommend technological solutions or process enhancements to improve operational efficiency.
• Respond to service issues and implement corrective actions in a timely manner.
• Participate in training and development programs to stay updated with industry best practices and advancements in paratransit operations.
• Travel to Via’s paratransit markets to provide support/training on ride plan optimization to personnel on a short-term basis

Who You Are:

• Tech-savvy; strong computer and technical skills, including experience with numerous software programs (including video games) and the more standard Microsoft Office, the Google Suite. CRM tools like Salesforce are a plus!
• Strong mental acuity and analytical problem-solving skills, with a love of brain teasers and/ or computer games
• A comfortable multitasker who enjoys live operations and can quickly prioritize and switch between tasks.
• A clear communicator with excellent reading comprehension and writing skills
• A well-rounded team player who takes ownership of (and pride in) your work
• An entrepreneurial spirit with strong work ethic 
• Dynamic; willing to wear multiple hats and work on projects of all types
• An action-oriented executor: you take initiative to solve problems and get the job done

Compensation and Benefits:

• Final salary will be determined by the candidate’s experience, knowledge, and skills. Salary reflected does not include equity or variable pay, where applicable
• Salary Range: $19 - $21 per hour