Accessible Transportation Driver (NEMT) - FT - Columbia County in Portland, Oregon at Ride Connection

Make a difference every day by helping older adults and people with disabilities get where they need to go safely and with dignity.

Wapato Shores Accessible Transportation is looking for a compassionate, dependable full-time Driver based in Columbia County, serving local communities and the greater Portland Metro area.

In this role, you’ll provide safe, friendly, and reliable transportation for older adults, people with disabilities, and other community members through Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) services.

This is more than a driving job. It’s a chance to build meaningful connections and help people maintain their independence, attend medical appointments, and stay connected to their community.

• $21.48 - $26.43 per hour
• Most new hires start at $21.48/hour, depending on directly comparable experience
• This is a full-time, non-exempt position
• Occasional overtime may be available

• Four 10-hour shifts per week
• Three days off each week
• At least two days off in a row
• Opportunity for extra hours if desired

• Safely transport riders to medical appointments and other essential destinations
• Follow daily schedules and directions from the Program Manager or Dispatcher
• Help passengers board and exit the vehicle using ramps or lifts
• Secure wheelchairs and other mobility devices safely
• Escort customers to destinations when needed
• Provide friendly, respectful, and professional service
• Support passenger comfort, dignity, and safety during every trip
• Follow all traffic laws and transportation safety procedures
• Complete pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections
• Maintain appropriate fuel levels and report vehicle concerns
• Protect customer privacy and confidentiality

You’ll primarily drive one of our larger passenger vans and may occasionally operate a smaller bus.

No CDL required. We’re looking for someone with a strong driving record, reliability, and a genuine commitment to helping others.

Because we serve riders with a range of mobility needs, applicants must be able to:

• Assist clients with loading and unloading
• Push and maneuver a wheelchair safely
• Bend, crouch, and work in enclosed spaces while securing mobility devices
• Lift and move up to 40 pounds safely

• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, with no more than two infractions of any kind in the past five years
• At least five years of driving experience as recorded by the DMV
• Comfortable using smartphones and tablets
• Reliable personal transportation
• Ability to pass a National Criminal Record Check, including fingerprinting

If you do have a record, we’ll review the circumstances with you. Many situations are not a barrier to employment.

This role includes Safety Sensitive duties under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines and requires participation in the FTA Drug and Alcohol testing program, including:

• Pre-employment testing
• Random testing
• Reasonable suspicion testing
• Post-accident testing

For the safety of riders and staff, this position requires the ability to read, write, and speak English, including:

• Reading trip notes
• Communicating with dispatch
• Interacting clearly with riders in real time

We value language diversity and can provide training materials in multiple languages. However, for safety and emergency communication, working fluency in English is essential.

• Bilingual or multilingual skills in addition to English
• Previous driving experience
• Customer service experience
• Professional or lived experience supporting older adults or people with disabilities

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with automatic employer contribution plus 2% match
• Flexible Spending Account with up to $500 annual employer contribution
• 140 hours of PTO during your first three years, with regular increases
• 6 paid holidays, plus MLK Day of Service and Juneteenth Day of Learning
• 60 hours of annual sick leave
• TriMet annual public transportation pass
• Paid training and a supportive team culture

Your work will directly support the independence, dignity, and quality of life of people in your community. If you take pride in helping others and want a role that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.

Learn more about Ride Connection at www.rideconnection.org and Wapato Shores at www.wapatoshores.org.