Driver in Forest Grove, Oregon at Ride Connection

Ride Connection is seeking a compassionate, dependable Part-Time Driver to join our community-focused team based out of Forest Grove.

In this role, you’ll help people stay connected, independent, and engaged by providing safe, friendly, and reliable transportation throughout our community. You’ll support a variety of Ride Connection transportation, including door-to-door service and community connector shuttles, which help the community, older adults, and people with disabilities get where they need to go.

You’ll regularly assist riders who use wheelchairs and operate larger passenger vehicles, so comfort with accessibility equipment and a people-first approach are key. If you enjoy meeting new people, take pride in providing excellent service, and want your work to truly matter, we’d love to meet you.

The driver is the heart and soul of the transportation program. The service provided by the driver helps older adults and people with disabilities live independent, quality lives by providing them access to necessary community services. The driver provides transportation services using agency owned vehicles. The driver reports to, assists and works cooperatively with the Program Manager in providing safe and efficient transportation to customers without other alternatives.

What We Do, and Why It Matters: 

Ride Connection is a private, nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, committed to meeting community transportation needs one person at a time. Our mission is to move lives by providing safe, personalized transportation for people who need it, helping individuals access healthcare, essential services, and opportunities to thrive. By giving people the means to get around, we promote independence, inclusion, and improved quality of life throughout the communities we serve.

• Hourly pay: $21.48 – $26.43

• Schedule: Anticipated hours are Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday from 5:45 AM - 10:45 AM; Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:15 PM. Willingness to fill in for other shifts as needed.

• Location: Based at our Forest Grove office at 2037 Douglas Street, Forest Grove OR 97116

How You’ll Make a Difference - (Essential functions):

• Prioritizes the safety of customers, themselves and the general public by providing safe door-to-door service to the customer and always driving defensively

• Transports customers according to the schedule and/or instructions given by the Program Manager or the Service Center if the Program Manager is unavailable

• Maintains communication with the Program Manager and or Service Center at all times

• Notifies the Program Manager or the Service Center (as appropriate) of any variations to the schedule

• Assists customers between the vehicle and the door of the origin/destination location utilizing appropriate assistance techniques

• Assists customers with mobility devices, bags, packages, and other items

• Advises the Program Manager of any issues or problems, especially situational reports regarding delayed customer pick-ups or drop offs, or customer cancels, concerns

• Informs Program Manager of changes in customer mobility detail and customer address detail whenever necessary

• Performs daily pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections

• Maintains accurate ride information records (customer information, mileage, hours, etc.)

• Attends required training and retraining sessions

• Provides Program Manager with advance notice of scheduled absences

• Represents Ride Connection in a professional manner to our service partners, our funders, and the community

• Develops, maintains and enhances relationships with Ride Connection staff, partners, customers and supporters

• Assists with vehicle upkeep and carwash activities as required

• Monitors vehicle fuel level and purchases fuel at an appropriate and efficient time so schedule delays do not occur

• Values promptness and reliability

• Maintains customer confidentiality at all times

• Follows approved operational procedures at all times

• Reports all vehicle incidents/accidents no matter how slight without delay

• Maintains a personal and professional driving record with no more than two traffic violations or preventable collisions (or the combination of a traffic violation and a preventable collision) within a three-year period

• Provides superior quality customer service to ensure that each person who requests Ride Connection service is treated with dignity, respect and patience

• Participates in required training programs and attends all staff meetings as required

• Activities of this position actively support inclusive practices that determine the needs and preferences of our target population

• Adheres to current Ride Connection Personnel Policies

• Performs other duties as assigned

What You Bring - (Competencies): 

Required

• Valid driver's license with at least five years driving experience and an excellent driving history as recorded by the Department of Motor Vehicles
• Maintain a driving record that meets or exceeds Ride Connection’s driver standards
• Ability to access reliable transportation
• Ability to pass a National Criminal Record Check which includes fingerprint identification
• This position is required to perform “Safety Sensitive” duties per FTA guidelines. When required the employee assigned to this position must participate and remain in compliance with the FTA Drug and Alcohol testing program, including pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with the ability to exercise good judgment, courtesy, and tact in public contact and handling problems
• Ability to work as a team member with a diverse group of people
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions
• Ability to give clear and concise directions, both orally and in writing
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and to make decisions with minimal supervision by prioritizing and organizing tasks
• Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment
• Effective problem-solving skills

Preferred

• Experience working with older adults or people with disabilities
• Experience and passion working for a Non-Profit organization
• Knowledge of the geographic area
• Ability to speak other languages in addition to English

Physical Requirements & Work Environment: 

• Repetitive motion
• Prolonged sitting
• Periodic exposure to outside elements
• Extensive visual/hearing involvement
• Extensive telephone verbal communication
• Frequent lifting of items from below the knees or above the shoulders
• Ability to push and pull mobility devices as required
• Bending, crouching or stretching ability adequate to properly secure mobility devices on board company’s accessible vehicles
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds

Ride Connection is an Equal Opportunity Employer.