Tim McNeil has called UCSF his workplace for more than 35 years. As Parking Operations Manager, he manages 11 staff on the campus side to offer services such as cashiering and valet parking. He and his team also manage customer complaints, repairs and maintenance and special events, like Chase Center weekend and evening events. We talked with him about his job and his DEIA-AR work.
Tell us about your career path.
My first role was valet parker at Parnassus. I’ve been a manager for 10 years now. Moving up takes more than just doing a good job, you also need to be “seen” at work. Volunteering for things helped me be seen. One of my favorite volunteer assignments was driving the Chancellor around.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
Interacting with different people. On any day, I might talk to patients, faculty or staff members, people representing departments, my own staff, and outside guests visiting for a special event. There was a lot of activity at Rutter before COVID.
What challenges do you face in your role?
Much of our communication has moved online so it’s less interactive now. I counsel my staff to focus on what they can control and to do their very best to give great customer service every day. People may get angry about the price and availability of parking and take it out on the cashier or other staff. When they vent to us, we have to remember it’s not personal.
Tell us about your DEIA-AR work and why it’s important.
Campus Life Services leadership asked me to join the FAS DEIA-AR Steering Committee and present at monthly CLS leadership meetings. I didn’t know a lot about diversity issues, but it’s good to talk about anti-racism and learn the terminology. In the workplace, you have to meet people where they are. Blue-collar folks have their minds on other things, like paying bills, so they may not think of these issues. As a manager, I can give them space and open up discussions. Take the issue of Asian hate. As a Black man, I can talk to impacted staff, ask them how they are doing and let them know I care about their well-being. Racism has been here from the beginning and Black people have often borne the brunt of it. You can’t change everything at one time. My question is: How do we make it real and genuine?
