Driver

Paratransit Driver

Employer: County of Chester

Salary: $21.14 Hourly

Location: Government Services Center - Westtown, PA

Job Type: Full Time, Non Exempt

Job Number: 01888

Department: Community Transit

Division: Community Transit

Opening Date: 02/03/2023

Closing Date: Continuous

Weekly Hours 40 Shift Varies

Summary

The Driver is responsible for providing paratransit services throughout the County by operating a van/bus to transport passengers in a safe and courteous manner according to the provided daily manifest. The individual in this position is responsible for driving defensively and reacting to emergency situations to ensure the safety of the passengers and the general public. Additional duties include completion of vehicle inspections, maintaining accurate records, assisting passengers as required including wheelchair securements, receiving and accounting for fares, radio communications, following emergency procedures, and other activities as assigned.

Essential Duties

• Prepares for daily run by reporting to Dispatch at scheduled time, in physical condition to fulfill the essential functions of driving a vehicle and adhering to the dress code. Obtains assignment, reviews any posted notices, and communicates any irregularities to dispatch.
• Ensures vehicle is safe and reliable prior to operation by conducting an inspection and performing daily pre- and post-trip inspection checklist and completing a non-compliance report and returning it to the Dispatcher or Supervisor for resolution if necessary.
• Provides public transit services by safely operating assigned vehicle to pick up and deliver passengers in a courteous and professional manner in accordance with manifest and under all weather, traffic and passenger load conditions. Works variable shifts, irregular hours and is available for work/overtime in accordance with policy and safety emergency response situations.
• Maintains safe conditions by complying with traffic regulations; observing traffic conditions; avoiding dangerous situations and enforcing passenger safety/conduct rules.
• Complies with all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates by assisting with boarding and departing passengers with disabilities including the operation of wheelchair lifts and securing devices according to policy and procedure.
• Represents the County in a professional and positive manner and ensures a positive passenger experience by listening to complaints regarding delays or problems encountered in the provision of services. Answers questions from passengers regarding fares, schedules and routing. Regulates heating, cooling and ventilation systems for passenger comfort. Maintains the vehicle interior in a neat condition during service operation. Keeps all passenger information confidential.
• Assists passengers requiring aid (including elderly individuals, individuals with hearing and sight impairments, physically/developmentally disabled individuals, etc.) by helping them board or depart from the vehicle, assisting them with packages, securing wheelchairs, informing all passengers that seatbelts must be worn on all vehicles where available. Waits according to procedures and policy for passengers to board and when exiting to enter a building before proceeding to the next assignment.
• Follows proper emergency procedures in the event of an accident, safety, and or passenger incident by following established procedures including, but not limited to, notifying dispatcher or supervisor, securing accident/safety incident scene, tending to passengers, obtaining witness cards, deferring media statements to proper channels, and completing an accident report. Reports any undesirable behavior of a passenger to the Dispatcher and/or supervisor.
• This position is a Mandated reporter required to report any subjected abuse, neglect or safety concerns on the vehicle
• Ensures proper receipts to the County by collecting fares according to established fare categories, completing ridership forms for times of arrival and mileage at each point of pickup or drop-off, documentation of cancels or no shows, keeping daily mileage, records of gas/oil purchases, and driver's daily vehicle report.
• Ensures operation communications and resolutions in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines by utilizing two-way radio to contact dispatch to timely and accurately report all irregularities, delays, accidents, incidents, requests for emergency maintenance, and safety/operation problems as they occur, preparing written report of event. Listens and complies with all communications/directions from Dispatch.
• Maintains driving knowledge and skills by participating in safety and related training programs that are made available.
• Ensures compliance by complying with County's and Department's policies and procedures and local, state and government regulations. Maintains regular attendance and performs duties and responsibilities as assigned. Responds as needed for emergency situations and maintenance of service. Based on division responsible for cleanliness of the bus including but not limited to removing personal trash from bus.
• Maintains a safe working environment by complying with all County and Department safety procedures and policies and maintaining good housekeeping.
• Represents the County in a professional and positive manner at all times.
• Contributes to the team effort by training assigned employees, participating in problem solving methods, and maintaining a cooperative relationship with coworkers and management.
• Maintains cooperative relationship with coworkers and management by communicating necessary information, responding to requests, building rapport; and participating in problem- solving methods.
• Keeps supervisor informed of critical incidents and information needed to ensure smooth operations.
• Meets all legal and procedural requirements by ensuring compliance with provisions of the ADA, FTA, PennDOT, etc. Upholds and enforces all Substance Abuse Policy regulations, Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions, if applicable, and Chester County Department of Community Transit policies.
• Performs other duties as may be required or assigned.

Qualifications/Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age with an acceptable driving record, and background verification in accordance with Chester County Department of Community Transit standards.
• Knowledge of safe driving practices and demonstrated ability to operate and drive transit vehicles in a safe manner.
• Ability to understand and adhere to County and Department rules, procedures, directions, funding guidelines, DOT regulations and PA traffic regulations.
• Ability to interface positively and effectively with passengers and the general public, as well as supervisor and other Department management.
• Ability to enforce all County and Department rules and regulations with passengers.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
• Accurate and detail-oriented, with excellent organizational skills, with the ability to adapt to priorities are that under constant change.
• Maintaining logs and records, must have regular attendance and punctuality
• Operating vehicle equipment and any applicable office equipment.
• Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives.

• One or more years of experience as an operator of public transit and/or school bus transportation
• Bilingual abilities, with an emphasis on Spanish.
• General knowledge and understanding of County of Chester policies and procedures

Additional Information

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy. Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic Office Suite Skills, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Explorer)
• Basic OutLook skills (Email and Calendar)

While performing the duties of this position, an individual is frequently required to sit, stand, walk and talk or hear. Occasionally, an individual will need to bend at the waist while working and climb stairs. The individual will need to reach or work with arms above shoulders, kneel, stoop, crouch or squat. Must be able to enter and exit the vehicle for each passenger as needed (up to 30 times per day).

• Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds.
• Must be able to push a wheelchair with an occupant up to 350 pounds up an inclined mobility ramp.
• Must be able to physically operate a wheelchair lift and securing mobility devices according to County policy and procedures.

Duties will typically be performed within a paratransit vehicle (where the noise level is moderate to loud) and/or outdoors, which may necessitate dealing with excessive heat or cold and/or moderate to loud noise levels.

• Ability to work extended hours, including weekends and holidays, as required.
• This is a safety sensitive position subject to US DOT Drug and Alcohol pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and return to duty testing.