Part Time Van Driver (YAS)

The League For People with Disabilities•Baltimore, MD

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The League for People with Disabilities is seeking a dependable, safety-conscious, and compassionate Part-Time Youth Autism Program Van Driver to provide safe and reliable transportation for participants enrolled in Youth Autism Services (YAS) after-school programming. The Van Driver is responsible for transporting youth participants between approved locations, including schools, homes, The League, community-based activities, and other authorized program locations. This position plays an important role in ensuring that participants have safe and consistent access to meaningful after-school programming and community activities. The successful candidate will demonstrate patience, professionalism, sound judgment, and an understanding that transportation is more than simply driving from one location to another. The Van Driver is expected to provide transportation in a manner that promotes participant safety, dignity, independence, choice, inclusion, and quality of life. The Van Driver will work collaboratively with YAS staff and leadership to ensure transportation procedures are followed and that participants arrive at their destinations safely, on time, and ready to participate in programming.

Requirements

Valid Maryland driver's license appropriate for the vehicle being operated.
Acceptable driving record in accordance with The League's driver qualification requirements.
Ability to successfully complete required motor vehicle record/background screening.
Ability to successfully complete required employment and background screening.
Ability to complete required League onboarding and compliance requirements.
Ability to maintain required driver qualifications throughout employment.
Reliable transportation to and from assigned work locations.
Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, and professional conduct.
Ability to communicate effectively with youth, families, staff, and supervisors.
Safety: Strong defensive driving skills.
Safety: Excellent situational awareness.
Safety: Ability to identify and respond to safety hazards.
Safety: Ability to remain calm during emergencies.
Communication: Clear verbal communication.
Communication: Professional interpersonal skills.
Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with individuals with varying communication abilities.
Communication: Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Participant Support: Patience and compassion.
Participant Support: Respect for individuals with disabilities.
Participant Support: Understanding of person-centered support.
Participant Support: Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
Participant Support: Ability to respond appropriately to unexpected behaviors or situations.
Reliability: Consistent attendance.
Reliability: Punctuality.
Reliability: Dependability.
Reliability: Ability to follow established schedules and transportation routes.
Judgment: Ability to make sound decisions in safety-sensitive situations.
Judgment: Ability to recognize when a situation requires supervisor assistance.
Judgment: Ability to follow policies and procedures consistently.
Ability to safely operate a League-approved passenger vehicle.
Ability to enter and exit the vehicle and assist participants with safe boarding and exiting as required.
Ability to remain seated and attentive while driving for periods appropriate to assigned routes.
Ability to perform visual and auditory monitoring necessary for safe vehicle operation and participant transportation.
Ability to communicate emergency and safety information effectively.
Ability to perform essential transportation-related tasks.
Ability to respond appropriately to transportation emergencies.
Ability to work in varying weather and traffic conditions.
Ability to maintain appropriate situational awareness in school, residential, community, and League environments.
Ability to perform limited physical assistance consistent with training, participant needs, and safety procedures.
Protect participant privacy.
Discuss participant information only with authorized individuals.
Follow The League's confidentiality and privacy policies.
Avoid discussing participants in public or inappropriate settings.
Safeguard all records and information obtained through employment.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience transporting children, youth, or individuals with disabilities.
Experience working with individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities.
Experience in human services, education, recreation, behavioral support, healthcare, or transportation.
CPR/First Aid certification.
Experience operating a passenger van or similar vehicle.
Previous experience working with individuals with disabilities is preferred but may not be required when the candidate otherwise meets the qualifications and can successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

Responsibilities

Safely transport YAS participants using a League-approved vehicle.
Follow all applicable Maryland motor vehicle laws, organizational policies, transportation procedures, and safety requirements.
Maintain a safe driving environment at all times.
Operate the vehicle responsibly and defensively.
Obey all posted speed limits, traffic signals, parking regulations, and other applicable traffic laws.
Conduct required pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections.
Ensure required vehicle safety equipment is present and operational.
Confirm that participants are properly seated and secured before the vehicle is placed in motion.
Ensure seat belts and other approved safety equipment are used appropriately.
Never operate the vehicle while distracted, impaired, fatigued, or otherwise unable to safely perform driving responsibilities.
Never use a handheld cell phone or other prohibited electronic device while driving.
Maintain appropriate awareness of participants throughout transportation.
Provide transportation support for youth participating in after-school YAS programs.
Interact with participants in a patient, respectful, calm, and professional manner.
Recognize that participants may have different communication styles, sensory needs, mobility needs, behavioral support needs, and levels of independence.
Follow established participant-specific transportation procedures and support strategies.
Work with YAS staff to understand relevant transportation-related safety considerations.
Support participants in entering and exiting the vehicle safely.
Encourage participant independence whenever safely appropriate.
Provide assistance consistent with the participant's approved support needs and the employee's training.
Avoid unnecessary physical intervention or assistance.
Notify YAS leadership of significant behavioral, medical, safety, or transportation concerns.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with participants and families.
Follow assigned transportation routes and schedules.
Arrive at designated pick-up locations on time.
Verify the identity of the participant before transportation when required by program procedure.
Follow approved release and drop-off procedures.
Never leave a participant unattended in an unsafe or unauthorized location.
Confirm that the appropriate authorized person or location is available for drop-off when required.
Immediately notify the supervisor of delays, missed pick-ups, changes, or unexpected circumstances.
Communicate professionally with parents, guardians, caregivers, school personnel, and League staff.
Maintain accurate transportation records as required.
Maintain awareness of participant safety before, during, and after transportation.
Follow participant-specific safety plans and applicable program procedures.
Recognize potential risks, including unsafe behaviors, medical concerns, environmental hazards, and transportation-related emergencies.
Respond appropriately to participant distress or behavioral escalation within the scope of training.
Notify appropriate YAS staff when a situation requires additional support.
Follow emergency procedures in the event of an accident, medical emergency, missing participant, vehicle emergency, severe weather, or other safety concern.
Never transport unauthorized passengers.
Never make unauthorized stops or changes to an approved route without appropriate authorization.
Maintain appropriate supervision during loading, transportation, and unloading.
Complete required vehicle inspection procedures before operating the vehicle.
Report mechanical problems, warning lights, damage, unusual noises, or other concerns immediately.
Keep the assigned vehicle reasonably clean and organized.
Ensure participant belongings are safely stored.
Monitor fuel levels and communicate when fueling or vehicle maintenance is needed.
Follow procedures for vehicle keys, fuel cards, mileage logs, maintenance records, and other transportation documentation.
Report accidents, vehicle damage, citations, or other incidents immediately.
Do not operate a vehicle that has been determined to be unsafe.
Safely stopping the vehicle during an emergency.
Calling 911 when appropriate.
Following The League's emergency response procedures.
Providing first aid or emergency assistance only within the employee's current training and certification.
Maintaining participant safety until additional assistance arrives.
Communicating promptly with YAS leadership and appropriate emergency personnel.
Completing required accident or incident documentation.
Cooperating with post-incident procedures and investigations.
Treat every participant with dignity and respect.
Promote independence whenever safely possible.
Respect individual preferences and communication styles.
Support meaningful participation in after-school and community activities.
Avoid making assumptions about a participant's abilities based on disability.
Use respectful, age-appropriate communication.
Follow applicable participant rights and organizational policies.
Support inclusion and equitable access to League programming.
Maintain a safe environment that allows participants to participate to the greatest extent safely possible.
Work collaboratively with program staff when a participant requires additional support.
Maintain confidentiality regarding participant information.
Maintain professional communication with YAS leadership, program staff, parents/guardians, caregivers, schools, and other authorized individuals.
Communicate transportation delays or changes as soon as possible.
Report concerns involving participant safety, behavior, health, attendance, or transportation.
Document incidents and transportation-related issues accurately.
Maintain confidentiality of participant, family, employee, and organizational information.
Communicate respectfully and professionally, even during stressful situations.
Complete all transportation-related documentation required by The League, which may include: Daily vehicle inspection forms, Mileage logs, Transportation schedules, Participant transportation records, Incident/accident reports, Vehicle maintenance reports, Attendance or transportation documentation, Other required program documentation.
All documentation must be completed accurately, timely, and in accordance with organizational procedures.