Bus Driver

Bus DriverThe Bus Driver provides safe, reliable, and person-centered transportation services to individuals served by The Kennedy Collective across day, community-based, and other assigned service settings. Under the direction of program leadership, the Bus Driver transports individuals to and from programs, employment, medical appointments, recreational activities, community destinations, and other assigned locations while assisting passengers with boarding, exiting, mobility, and other transportation-related needs. The Bus Driver promotes the health, safety, dignity, and independence of individuals by providing courteous and professional service, maintaining effective communication with individuals, families, coworkers, and program staff, and ensuring transportation services are delivered in accordance with Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles regulations, applicable transportation requirements, agency policies, and individual transportation plans.Core CompetenciesPerson-Centered Transportation Services: Provides safe, respectful, and person-centered transportation services that promote dignity, choice, independence, and access to community, employment, educational, recreational, and medical opportunities.Health, Safety & Well-Being: Ensures the physical, emotional, and behavioral well-being of individuals by maintaining a safe transportation environment, following safe driving practices, assisting passengers as needed, and responding appropriately to emergencies.Communication & Professional Documentation: Communicates effectively with individuals, families, guardians, coworkers, dispatch, and interdisciplinary team members while maintaining timely, accurate, and confidential transportation records and documentation.Community Access & Customer Service: Supports meaningful community participation by providing dependable, courteous, and timely transportation services while assisting individuals with boarding, exiting, mobility, and other transportation-related needs.Advocacy & Respect for Individuals: Protects individual rights, promotes dignity and inclusion, encourages independence during transportation, and treats all individuals with compassion, respect, and professionalism.Professionalism & Ethical Practice: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, cultural competence, safe driving practices, teamwork, and compliance with Connecticut DMV regulations, agency policies, and ethical standards while maintaining a positive and professional transportation environment.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesProvide safe, reliable, and person-centered transportation services to individuals in accordance with their Individual Plan (IP/ISP), promoting dignity, independence, community participation, and access to services.Safely transport individuals to and from agency programs, employment, volunteer opportunities, medical appointments, recreational activities, educational programs, family visits, and other assigned community destinations while adhering to established schedules and routes.Assist passengers with boarding, exiting, securement, mobility devices, seat belts, and other transportation-related needs while promoting safety, comfort, dignity, and independence.Conduct required pre-trip, post-trip, and routine vehicle inspections to ensure vehicles are safe, clean, properly equipped, and in compliance with agency policies, Connecticut DMV regulations, and applicable transportation requirements.Promptly report vehicle maintenance concerns, accidents, safety hazards, mechanical issues, and required repairs through established agency procedures.Maintain accurate, timely, and objective transportation documentation, including mileage logs, inspection reports, passenger manifests, incident reports, and other required records.Promote and protect the health, safety, privacy, dignity, and rights of individuals by adhering to Connecticut DDS regulations, HIPAA requirements, abuse and neglect reporting laws, emergency procedures, and agency policies.Respond appropriately to medical, behavioral, environmental, vehicle, and transportation emergencies using approved procedures, defensive driving techniques, and sound professional judgment.Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and welcoming vehicle environment while supporting infection prevention, environmental safety, and passenger comfort.Maintain familiarity with assigned service areas, routes, destinations, and alternative travel routes to ensure efficient and timely transportation services.Communicate professionally with individuals served, families, guardians, coworkers, dispatch, program staff, and community partners regarding transportation schedules, delays, and other service-related matters.Program and General ResponsibilitiesCollaborate with supervisors, program employees, families, guardians, case managers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to support positive person-centered outcomes.Maintain professional, respectful, and timely communication with individuals served, coworkers, families, guardians, community partners, and other stakeholders while preserving confidentiality.Maintain all required trainings, certifications, licenses, and qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position and ensure all credentials remain current in accordance with agency, Connecticut DDS, and regulatory requirements.Participate in required agency, Connecticut DDS, transportation safety, compliance, and professional development trainings while demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and quality service.Demonstrate professionalism, ethical conduct, cultural competence, accountability, defensive driving practices, and person-centered service consistent with The Kennedy Collective's mission, vision, values, and policies.Advocate for individuals' rights while promoting informed choice, self-advocacy, community inclusion, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for personal growth and independence.Provide transportation support across programs, routes, locations, shifts, and service settings as assigned to meet the operational needs of The Kennedy Collective.Perform additional duties, assignments, and projects as requested to support transportation operations and the needs of individuals served.RequirementsQualificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent required.Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record and the ability to obtain and maintain a Connecticut Public Service License (PSL) as required. Must be able to safely transport individuals served in agency vehicles.Minimum of one (1) year of professional driving, passenger transportation, human services, healthcare, education, or customer service experience required. Experience transporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, older adults, or other vulnerable populations preferred.Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form and work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.Knowledge of Microsoft Office, electronic documentation systems, GPS/navigation systems, and internet-based tools.Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, professionalism, customer service, and initiative in a person-centered environment.Must complete and maintain all required agency, Connecticut DDS, PMT, CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration Certification (as applicable), and other required trainings, certifications, and qualifications.Preferred QualificationsExperience transporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, older adults, or other vulnerable populations.Experience operating ADA-accessible vehicles, wheelchair lifts, securement systems, and other adaptive transportation equipment.Experience working with culturally diverse populations; bilingual skills preferred.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of safe driving practices, defensive driving techniques, passenger transportation procedures, and customer service principles.Knowledge of Connecticut motor vehicle laws, traffic regulations, and transportation safety requirements.Ability to establish professional, respectful, and supportive relationships while promoting dignity, choice, safety, and independence.Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive information.Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to complete accurate and timely documentation.Ability to recognize, respond to, and report medical, behavioral, vehicle, safety, and emergency situations appropriately.Ability to work collaboratively with supervisors, coworkers, families, guardians, and interdisciplinary team members.Physical RequirementsAbility to assist individuals with boarding, exiting, wheelchair securement, mobility assistance, and other transportation-related needs as required.Ability to safely lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds independently and greater weights with assistance or adaptive equipment when appropriate.Ability to sit for extended periods while operating agency vehicles and perform repetitive physical activities including bending, reaching, kneeling, and securing mobility devices.Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, climb stairs, and perform repetitive physical activities throughout the workday.Ability to perform emergency evacuations, passenger assistance, and other transportation safety responsibilities following required training.Ability to safely operate agency vehicles in varying traffic, road, and weather conditions.Working ConditionsPrimarily works in agency vehicles and community settings, transporting individuals to and from agency programs, employment, medical appointments, recreational, educational, volunteer, and other community activities.Regular interaction with individuals served, families or guardians, coworkers, healthcare providers, and community partners.Schedule may include early mornings, days, evenings, weekends, holidays, split shifts, and emergency coverage based on transportation and operational needs.Must be available to work assigned routes and schedules and may be required to accept schedule adjustments, mandatory assignments,