ADA Van Driver

Salary : $38,833.60 - $62,129.60 Annually
Location : Municipal Operations Center (1300 N Broad St), Gastonia, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01757
Department: Transportation
Opening Date: 04/15/2026
Closing Date: 6/5/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt


General Definition of Work
The ADA Paratransit Driver is responsible for providing safe, courteous, and reliable door-to-door transportation services to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements. This position requires a high level of customer service, adherence to schedules, and sensitivity to the needs of passengers with mobility and cognitive impairments.

Essential Functions/Duties


Safely operate accessible paratransit vehicles on assigned routes and schedules.20%Provide assistance to passengers boarding and exiting vehicles, including operating wheelchair lifts and securing mobility devices.15%Ensure adherence to all ADA service requirements, including reasonable accommodation, proper passenger assistance, passenger safety protocol, and maintain passenger confidentiality at all times.10%Accurately document pickup/drop-off times, passenger counts, odometer readings, and incidents using electronic or paper manifests.10%Communicate effectively with dispatch and supervisors regarding delays, emergencies, or route issues.10%Maintain a professional and respectful demeanor with all passengers, caregivers, and coworkers.5%Report any accidents, safety incidents, or service issues in accordance with agency policy and FTA reporting requirements.5%Perform daily pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections and report any maintenance concerns immediately.5%Attend training sessions, including ADA sensitivity, defensive driving, and other training as required.5%As needed, assist with general administrative duties in the transit office, including answering phones, scheduling rides, or handling walk-in customers.5%Perform light cleaning and sanitation of transit vehicles to maintain cleanliness and appearance.5%Support other duties as assigned by supervisory staff, particularly during staffing shortages or operational needs.
5%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with individuals with disabilities and older adults
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and in accordance with confidentiality requirements
• Ability to maintain accurate records and communicate clearly, both orally and in writing. Knowledge of local geography, traffic laws, and safe driving practices
• Ability to operate or be trained to operate ADA-accessible vehicles and equipment, including wheelchair securement systems
• Knowledge of local geography, traffic laws, and safe driving practices.
• Ability to operate ADA-accessible vehicles and equipment, including wheelchair securement systems.

• Strong customer service skills and the ability to work with individuals with disabilities and older adults.
• Ability to maintain composure and make sound decisions in emergency situations.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information
Education and Experience
Graduation from high school or equivalent.
Minimum one (1) year professional driving experience preferred; public transit driving experience is a plus
Must possess a valid North Carolina Class B Commercial Driver's License, P Endorsement
Complete NIMS IS 700 training within one year of hire

Special Requirements
CDL with P Endorsement
CHECKLIST FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS, VISUAL ACUITY, AND WORKING CONDITIONS
1. The physical activity of this position includes:
Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

2. The physical requirements of this position:
Office Environment Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Office environment work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are categorized as office environment if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other Office Environment Work criteria are met.

3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision:
The worker is required to have visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: preparing and analyzing data and figures; accounting; transcription; computer terminal; extensive reading.

4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:
A. The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions; Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.
B. The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
C. The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.
D. The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.
E.The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.
F. The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts.
G. The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
H. The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.
Drug screening and criminal background checks required.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.
The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective and unique identity.
The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H
High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
Dental
Vision
Life
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Pension (Local Government Employees' Retirement System)
401(k)
457
Short-term/Long-term Disability
Dependent Care Plan
Employee Assistance Program
On-Site Health Clinic
Employee Educational Assistance Program
Sick Leave (12 days per year)
Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per year
Holidays (11 days per year)
Personal Day (1 day per year)

A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at