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Columbia County Transit to recruit part‑time driver after retirement
Summary
The Board approved opening recruitment for a part‑time transit driver position to replace a driver who retired; the position is budgeted and funded outside the general fund, and transit director Chris Wheatley said current staffing is temporarily covering duties.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a request Wednesday to open recruitment for a part‑time transit driver to replace an employee who retired.
Chris Wheatley, Transit Director, told the board: “I'm here to request open recruitment for part time driver.” He explained the vacancy followed a planned retirement that accelerated when the employee determined he could no longer continue working; the part‑time role is roughly 15–20 hours per week and covers medical trips including out‑of‑county trips to Portland and Longview.
Wheatley said the position is funded in the transit budget and not supported by the county general fund: “It's already there. Nothing's changing. It's not on the general fund.” He said the department is temporarily using a bus washer to cover the shifts but needs to hire to avoid pulling staff from other duties.
A commissioner moved to open recruitment, a second was recorded, and the board voted in favor. The action authorizes Human Resources to post the vacancy and begin hiring; Wheatley indicated he has applicants in mind who have expressed interest.
The board’s approval was limited to opening recruitment; no specific candidate was named and final hire will follow normal county hiring procedures and background checks. The position is budgeted at current appropriations and is expected to provide routine medical‑trip and regional service coverage once filled.
