Van/Bus DriverAt Rural Community Transportation (RCT), we do more than provide rides—we connect people to essential services, independence, and opportunity. Our staff culture is built on trust, teamwork, and a deep sense of purpose. As a member of our team, you'll be part of a supportive, fast-paced environment where every call to a client, provider, or driver is an opportunity to make a real difference in someone's life. We value compassion, resourcefulness, and commitment to equity in rural communities. RCT is a place where team members can grow—professionally and personally—with opportunities to build new skills and advance within a mission-driven organization. If you're detail-oriented, solutions-driven, and ready to be part of a team that genuinely cares, we encourage you to apply. The Van/Bus Driver is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of RCT vehicles and for providing reliable, high-quality transportation customer service to RCT passengers.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide safe, efficient, on-schedule transportation for passengers in Agency vehicles.
Provide courteous, respectful customer service to passengers at all times.
Maintain passenger/client confidentiality at all times.
Provide assistance to passengers as trained and according to procedure in boarding and exiting vehicles, using the wheelchair lift, as necessary.
Conduct pre- and post-trip inspections of vehicles; wash, maintain, refuel and secure Agency vehicles as required to ensure vehicles are clean, safe and ready for use at all times.
Promptly report mechanical failures, safety concerns and/or maintenance issues to the Operations Manager or other designated staff.
Learn, follow and implement safety and industry-related rules, regulations, and procedures as required.
Be aware of and follow all traffic laws and industry driving best practices.
Respond to emergencies, accidents and other incidents according to established policies and protocols.
Complete all pre- and post-trip inspection reports, transportation manifests, daily mileage logs, and other paperwork and reports as required or requested.
Maintain a professional appearance at all times while working, with good personal hygiene and grooming.
Complete all trainings as required and/or requested by management.
Perform other duties as required to meet department and agency needs.
Education and Experience
Required:
Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the job.
Preferred:
High School completion or equivalent and commercial driving experience (minimum 2 years' driving experience required).
Certifications and Licenses
Required: Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class B with passenger endorsement
Required Knowledge and Competencies Ability to drive safely in all weather conditions and for extended periods of time. Ability to perform basic vehicle cleaning and maintenance. Ability to continuously learn, follow, and implement rules, regulations, and procedures. Good interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to maintain a calm and courteous manner in all situations. Commitment to maintaining passenger/client confidentiality. Demonstrated ability to consistently provide excellent customer service. Ability to work collaboratively and as a member of a team. Ability to exercise sound judgement and decision-making, and appropriately respond to stressful and/or unexpected situations. Technical capacity to communicate, document and report information, utilizing information and communications technology as required.
Working Conditions and Schedule:
This position requires actively physical and sedentary activity in a variety of environments, including vehicles and a professional office environment, and exposure to all types of weather conditions, including inclement conditions. Driving in inclement weather conditions and occasional periods of work outdoors in inclement weather conditions will be required. This position may require working in potentially stress-inducing situations and may require working with passengers who present challenging behaviors. Medical and other emergencies involving passengers or employees may occur during working hours; employees will be required to contact emergency services for assistance with these events as necessary and to alert their supervisor of such events as soon as possible. Exposure to blood and/or body fluids may occur; in case of exposure, universal precautions and protective equipment/measures will be required. Regular, consistent and predictable attendance according to scheduled work hours/week is required. Weekend and extended hours may be required as necessary to meet operational needs. This position will provide route coverage at all RCT locations, as needed.
Physical and Other Requirements:
Must be free of the influence of medication or other substances which could significantly decrease alertness or impair reaction time at all times while performing, ready to perform, or immediately available to perform safety-sensitive functions.
Must meet FTA requirements pertaining to substance use and related testing for covered employees performing safety-sensitive functions.
Must meet all background check requirements as mandated by funding source(s) and Agency policies.
Must comply with safety procedures and protocols, employ industry best practices for driving, and obey traffic laws at all times.
Constantly required to see, speak, and hear to safely operate vehicle and effectively communicate with passengers.
Visual acuity to read text in various formats and from varying distances (such as written instructions and road signs).Frequent, repetitive use of hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and back, as well as legs and feet.
Extended periods of sitting.
Intermittent periods of moderate physical exertion, including bending, reaching and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Constantly required to safely operate vans, buses, and cars, according to industry best practices for driving.
Ability to distinguish vehicle noises and to communicate with Operations management and/or maintenance vendors regarding unusual or atypical vehicle sounds.
Regularly required to work outside of regular business hours, including early morning, evening and weekend hours.
Occasionally required to operate a computer, keyboard, mouse, and other devices.
Occasional participation in training sessions, presentations, and meetings.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
The Van/ Bus Driver does not have supervisory responsibilities.
This position is funded in whole or in part by grant funding and may be contingent upon continued receipt of such funding.
This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. Employment of all staff is "at-will" and may be terminated by the employee or the agency at any time, regardless of funding status.
Rural Community Transportation, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, HIV-positive status, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship status, veteran/military status, crime victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all of RCT's terms and conditions of employment.
