Transportation Specialist

Reports to: Program Manager, Supervised Visitation Location: 1603 Court Street, Syracuse, NY 13208 Pay Rate: $18.50 - $20.50 Hourly Schedule: Tu: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., W-F: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sa: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. The people we care for come from all walks of life, and so do we. We strive to diversify our workforce, not because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our agency stronger! About Us With a history stretching back more than 70 years, AccessCNY is continually growing and expanding our reach. Offering person-centered services that empower individuals of all ages and abilities to reach their full potential as part of our community. Our focus is supporting individuals by ways of residential housing, mental health and clinical services, and immersing our participants in community engagement. Working closely with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and the Office of Mental Health, we support 27 housing locations and 3 administrative buildings. About the Role We are looking for a proactive employee to responsibly and safely transport youth in foster care to and from supervised visits with caregivers and family members. Responsibilities Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling and responding to changing visit schedules, family needs, transportation logistics, and unexpected situations Ensure the physical and emotional safety of youth during transportation and transitions to, and from, visits Assist in identifying safety concerns or barriers to successful visitation and communicate them to supervisors Model appropriate behavior and support youth in managing anxiety or emotional challenges related to visitation during transportation Serve as a neutral, supportive presence for both youth and families Provide clear communication to caregivers, foster parents, and staff regarding pickup/drop off plans Coordinate daily transportation schedules, considering visit durations, travel time, and any special accommodations Communicate proactively with case workers, visitation staff, foster parents, and caregivers regarding changes, delays, or concerns Manage multiple transportation routes and adjust plans as needed due to weather, emergencies, or family availability Complete accurate and timely documentation of pickups, drop-offs, travel incidents, and youth interactions Maintain all required logs, mileage records, and visitation notes in accordance with Agency and NYS regulations Perform Other Duties as Assigned Education/Experience High school diploma/GED, required. Must have strong understanding of safe child transportation practices, including proper vehicle operation, safety restraints, and age-appropriate transport procedures. Must have the ability to plan and adjust transportation routes efficiently, factoring in traffic, weather, scheduling changes, and special child needs. Must be skilled in managing transitions in and out of the vehicle, ensuring safety during pickup and drop off. Must have the ability to remain flexible and adapt quickly to unexpected schedule changes, family needs, or emergent situations during transport. Must possess a strong awareness of child behavior and the ability to maintain a calm, supportive environment while driving. Effective communication skills for coordinating with caregivers, foster parents, supervisors, and visitation staff regarding transportation logistics, required. Must be able to complete accurate, timely travel logs and documentation related to each trip. Must have a basic knowledge of mandated reporter responsibilities. The ability to maintain confidentiality during transport is essential. Conditions of Employment Must have a valid NYS Driver License in accordance with the Agency Vehicle and Driving policy and transportation necessary to meet program needs. Use of personal vehicle is required, mileage is reimbursed. Must respect confidentiality. Did you know that AccessCNY offers great health, dental and vision insurance? Additionally, we provide a 401(k) match upon hire, PTO, and 11 paid holidays. #J-18808-Ljbffr