Description
WHAT YOU WILL DO: The Transportation Specialist is responsible for providing transportation services at Interfaith’s Oceanside Navigation Center. The transportation specialist, with support from the program manager and site supervisor is responsible for ensuring safe and timely transportation of clients served to and from various appointments and providing program support or related tasks as required to support sheltered clients. This role additionally ensures safe operation of program vehicles, maintains transportation schedules, and supports overall facility safety and cleanliness in alignment with the mission of Interfaith Community Services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required but do not represent all job functions that may be required to be performed by this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Assist passengers on and off vehicles, including those with physical or mobility limitations.
- Safely secure passengers’ wheelchairs, mobility devices, and other equipment.
- Provide hands-on assistance for disabled passengers entering and exiting vehicles.
- Ensure clients have safely entered the medical facility or destination before departing.
- Maintain order and discipline during transport, using de-escalation techniques as necessary.
- Report any problematic client behavior, safety concerns, or disruptions in service to a supervisor.
- Maintain and update the transportation calendar to ensure efficient and timely service.
- Schedule and select routes and travel times to ensure clients arrive for appointments promptly and are picked up in a reasonable timeframe after appointments.
- Maintain ongoing communication with clients and staff regarding appointment and schedule changes.
- Operate vehicles in compliance with all traffic laws, regulations, and safety standards.
- Lock and secure vehicles when left unattended and check to ensure no passengers remain inside.
- Conduct pre- and post-trip inspections to identify safety or maintenance issues.
- Maintain accurate mileage logs, passenger counts, and transportation records.
- Clean and refuel vehicles; promptly report mechanical issues for repair.
- Maintain documentation of vehicle maintenance and service records.
- Support other staff during downtime or between transport shifts as assigned.
- Participate in all staff meetings, required trainings, and compliance activities.
- Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Site Supervisor or Program Manager.
Requirements
Experience/Education:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid CA Driver’s License required
- Must possess and maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record in accordance with company policy
- Minimum 1 year experience working with severely mentally ill, medically fragile, and homeless populations preferred
- Knowledge of alcohol and other drug recovery fields preferred
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
Skillsets/Additional Requirements:
- Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
- Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries with clients
- Working knowledge and skills in mental health, co-occurring disorders, substance abuse treatment models, and crisis intervention
- Ability to react calmly and professionally to emergency situations
- Ability to identify problems, and research and recommend resolutions
- Knowledge of community and social service agencies
- Knowledge of adult development
- Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Must be highly organized and demonstrate attention to detail
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple deadlines and working effectively under pressure, using independent judgment to produce quality work under time constraints
- Demonstrated experience working with a collaborative team
- Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
- Ability to communicate effectively among a diverse workforce population and maintain sound working relations with all levels within the organization
- Work with spirit of teamwork, cooperation and a sense of urgency
- Maintain a high degree of confidentiality over all matters in the course of business operations including client and employee information
- Ability to perform tasks in an efficient, thorough, and prioritized manner
- Ability to work quickly, accurately and independently
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
- Required to perform the safe operation of a vehicle, office equipment and machines, and recognize and abate safety hazards within the workplace
- Must be able to perform work in an indoor and outdoor setting
- May be subjected to adverse conditions, including contact from hostile people
- Potential exposure to contagious diseases, hazardous chemicals, and other hazardous fluids
- Must have the physical ability to sit for long periods of time, stand, walk, bend, kneel on a frequent basis
- Occasionally lifts, carries and balances objects weighing up to 30 pounds
- Pulls and pushes such objects as file drawers, computers and similar office equipment and supplies
- Prioritizes and multi-tasks work and projects requiring good memory, concentration and analytical thinking
- The noise level in the work environment is usually low
Location: Onsite/Oceanside
Hourly Rate: $19.82-$24.22
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am - 4:30pm