Parking valet

Parking valets provide assistance to clients by moving their vehicles to a specific parking location. They may also help with handling clients’ luggage and provide information on parking rates. Parking valets maintain a friendly attitude towards their clients and follow company policies and procedures.

The duties of a parking valet include, but are not limited to:

• Providing assistance with luggage and other items for guests, such as helping them with their coats or carrying their children’s belongings
• Keeping track of where all cars are parked in order to retrieve requested vehicles
• Opening doors for passengers upon arrival and departure from vehicles
• Ensuring that vehicles are cleaned and maintained, including performing basic maintenance tasks such as checking fluid levels and tire pressure, replacing windshield wipers, changing oil, etc.
• Arranging for parking of vehicles owned by clients who are away from home for extended periods of time
• Providing assistance to passengers while they are aboard the vehicle, such as putting on seatbelts and providing refreshments
• Performing basic maintenance tasks on vehicles such as washing, waxing, and polishing
• Providing security services that include monitoring valets, handling lost and found items, controlling access to buildings, and conducting body searches on patrons entering nightclubs or other facilities that require security checks
• Providing concierge services such as arranging for theater tickets or restaurant reservations.

Parking valets work in a variety of settings, including hotels, restaurants, and private clubs. They typically work long hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Some parking valets may work part time, while others may work full time.

The work can be physically demanding, as parking valets are required to park and retrieve vehicles in a timely and efficient manner. In addition, valet drivers must be able to deal with a variety of customer inquiries and requests in a professional and courteous manner.

The following job titles also refer to parking valet:

car parker

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as parking valet. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Parking valet is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to parking valet.

hearse driver
private chauffeur
funeral attendant
bus driver
taxi driver

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of parking valet. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of parking valet with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

hand luggage inspector
sports instructor
accommodation manager
life coach
pastry chef

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of parking valet.

• Road traffic laws: Understand road traffic laws and the rules of the road.
• Company policies: The set of rules that govern the activity of a company.

These skills are necessary for the role of parking valet.

• Drive automatic car: Drive a vehicle operated under an automatic, or self-shifting, transmission system safely and according to regulations.
• Apply company policies: Apply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.
• Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
• Maintain personal hygiene standards: Preserve impeccable personal hygiene standards and have a tidy appearance.
• Drive vehicles: Be able to drive vehicles; have the appropriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.
• Park guest’s vehicle: Line up guests’ vehicles safely and efficiently and retrieve the vehicle at the end of their stay.
• Work in shifts: Work in rotating shifts, where the goal is to keep a service or production line running around the clock and each day of the week.
• Maintain customer service: Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
• Assist passengers: Provide help to people getting in and out of their car or any other transportation vehicle, by opening doors, provide physical support or hold belongings.
• Interpret traffic signals: Observe lights on the road, road conditions, nearby traffic, and prescribed speed limits to ensure safety. Interpret traffic signals and act accordingly.
• Follow verbal instructions: Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
• Perform defensive driving: Drive defensively to maximise road safety and save time, money, and lives; anticipate the actions of other road users.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of parking valet. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Mechanical components of vehicles: Know the mechanical components used in vehicles and identify and resolve potential malfunctions.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of parking valet. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Operate radio equipment: Set up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in handling radio equipment correctly.
• Execute vehicle maintenance: Execute vehicle maintenance based on supplier or manufacturer instructions. This might include cleaning vehicle engine, cleaning vehicle interior and exterior, maintaining mileage and fuel records, performing non-mechanical maintenance tasks. Service small engines including hydraulic equipment. Check the oil and fluid levels on all equipment. Check vehicles and equipment to ensure that they are in smooth and safe working order.
• Greet guests: Welcome guests in a friendly manner in a certain place.
• Drive in urban areas: Drive vehicles in urban areas. Interpret and understand transit signs in a city, the regulation of traffic, and the related common automobility agreements in an urban area.
• Ensure protection of car parking: Guarantee protection, safety and security of parked cars.
• Maintain vehicle appearance: Maintain vehicle appearance by washing, cleaning and performing minor adjustments and repairs.
• Provide directions to guests: Show guests the way through buildings or on domains, to their seats or performance setting, helping them with any additional information so that they can reach the foreseen event destination.
• Tend to passenger belongings: Handle passenger belongings; assist elderly or physically challenged travellers by carrying their luggage.
• Handle surveillance equipment: Monitor surveillance equipment to observe what people are doing in a given area and ensure their safety.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• Wash vehicles: Wash and dry vehicle and ensure that paint is kept intact by waxing and polishing vehicle using the appropriate tools.
• Provide customers with price information: Provide customers with accurate and up-to-date information about charges and price rates.
• Clean vehicle interiors: Remove dirt, rubbish or impurities of the interior of vehicles, including consoles and dashboards; vacuum car seats and carpets; clean hinges and door trims.
• Assist disabled passengers: Use appropriate safety procedures to operate lifts and secure wheelchairs and other assistive devices while assisting physically disabled travellers.
• Handle guest luggage: Manage, pack, unpack and store guest luggage on request.

8322 – Car, taxi and van drivers

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References

1. Parking valet – ESCO
2. Valet Driver Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
3. Featured image: By Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand – Bellboy “Park my car”, CC0