Driver

JOB PURPOSE:
Participant in the agency’s overall purpose of providing quality leisure experiences for children and adults with disabilities, through the transportation of individuals between their homes and program sites. Responsible for non-mechanical maintenance of the vans and proper record keeping.
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Communication and Outreach

• Provide timely responses to phone calls, voicemail and written materials, whether received by mail, fax, or email sent by NWSRA.
• Treat public complaints and concerns with the utmost attention. Is courteous in all cases.

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Driving program routes while following all safety procedures and driving laws.
• Transferring and transporting of individuals.
• General paperwork including routing participants and conducting attendance when loading or unloading busses.
• Responsible for developing a seating chart for each assigned route. Ideally, participants should be seated individually or with a van assistant.
• Responsible for supervision of employees and volunteers while riding on an NWSRA vehicle.
• Assisting with participants during programs (i.e. supervision, taking off coats, dressing and bathroom needs).
• Non-mechanical van maintenance and removing garbage after each route.
• Lifting, transferring and positioning individuals using wheelchairs. Lifting and moving participants and/or recreation equipment.
• Assisting participants with seat belts, vehicle seating and tie downs.
• May assist an individual to and from the door of their home/residence, if required.
• Drivers may not go into participant’s home/residence at any time.
• Staff may not lift, carry, or transport a participant’s assistive transportation devise to any vehicle other than an NWSRA vehicle.
• Delivers brochures to area schools.
• Washing and cleaning vehicles.
• Occasionally transport luggage for special trips.
• Communicate and contribute with ideas to co-workers.
• Promote good relations with participants, parents, employees, partner agency personnel and community contacts.
• Follow through with direction on assigned tasks.
• Implement and apply skills and techniques taught through training. • Attend all orientations, meetings and trainings required by NWSRA and the assigned park district.
• Greet parents/guardians, participants, employees and volunteers upon arrival. Smile and be friendly.
• Monitor participant’s belongings including bags, towels, lunch boxes, etc.
• Follow agency policy and procedures including all payroll procedures of NWSRA.
• Communicate all incidents/accidents from programs to Program Specialist and
• Park District Site Directors/Leaders.
• Other duties needed to help drive our Vision, fulfill our Mission, and abide by NWSRA’s Core Values.

Safety

• Understand safety polices, maintain a working knowledge of all general and departmental-specific safety policies and inspect work and program areas for compliance with safe work practices and policies.
• Enforce safety policies by improving employee and public knowledge while correcting unsafe behavior and conditions.
• Cooperate and assist in the investigation of accidents/ incidents and attends all required safety program and education meetings.

JOB STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS:

Weight Bearing:

• Ability to gather and transfer program equipment and to move heavy recreational equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and push a wheel chair up to 300 lbs.

Agility/Flexibility/Balance:

• Ability to safely lift, transfer and/or position individuals with mobility impairments in wheelchairs.
• Ability to kneel, crawl, reach, rotate body position, reach into small spaces and run to maintain interaction with participants in programs who may need individualized assistance or close supervision.

Manual Dexterity:

• Ability to maneuver wheelchairs through narrow or small spaces, such as doorways, washrooms, and vehicles, while operating doors and lifts and lift wheelchairs over obstructions such as curbs, small stairs, and other barriers.
• Ability to manipulate a variety of objects such as eating utensils or G-tubes to perform personal care for participants as well as writing utensils, communication devices and recreation equipment of all types.

Stamina:

• Ability to work a varied schedule of days and hours.
• Ability to drive or ride long distances required for the program.
• Ability to keep pace with active participants who may be aggressive or a flight risk.

Psychological Considerations:

• Ability to work with individuals from all backgrounds and special interests in a respectable manner and to maintain a positive attitude in public places.
• Ability to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and handle stress in a calm, professional manner.
   

Environmental Considerations:

• Ability to perform in a variety of weather conditions, ranging from mild to severe, year round, and in facilities that may range in temperature, and/or have various exposures such as pool chemicals.
• Ability to perform in outdoor situations where there is potential exposure to poisonous plants, insects, and wild animals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 21 years of age.
• Illinois Driver’s License, required.
• Have a Commercial Driver’s License – Class C or ability to obtain within first year of employment.
• No moving violations in the last 36 months.
• Have an interest or experience working with children and adults with disabilities.
• Ability to work effectively with participants, teachers, parents, employees, and other community contacts.
• Demonstrate dependability, promptness, flexibility and punctuality.
• Willingness to learn and accept new ideas.
• Certification in First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and AED.

Salary : $21 - $22