Transportation Shuttle Driver

Position Overview

Abrazar, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Orange County, seeks compassionate, dependable, and safety-conscious shuttle drivers to transport older adults and individuals with disabilities. Transportation services operate primarily in Central and North Orange County and include Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) routes in South Orange County. Drivers provide safe, dignified, and timely service; follow assigned routes; communicate with coordinators; and maintain accurate trip and safety documentation.

Our Priority: Preventing Injuries

Preventing avoidable injuries to passengers, coworkers, and drivers is a fundamental responsibility of this position. Drivers are expected to identify hazards before an injury occurs, use approved equipment and safe assistance techniques, never rush boarding or securement, follow training and safety procedures, and promptly report hazards, near misses, unsafe conditions, and incidents. Drivers must stop and request guidance when an activity cannot be performed safely. Safety takes priority over schedule pressures.

Essential Responsibilities

• Safely operate assigned vehicles; perform and document pre-trip and post-trip inspections, report defects, and do not operate an unsafe vehicle.
• Assist passengers with boarding and exiting, including use of wheelchair lifts, ramps, seat belts, and mobility-device securement systems in accordance with training and manufacturer instructions.
• Use safe body mechanics and approved procedures to reduce slips, trips, falls, strains, pinch injuries and passenger injuries; never attempt an unsafe lift or transfer.
• Allow sufficient time for passengers with mobility limitations, dementia, confusion, or other cognitive or communication needs; maintain patience, dignity, and respectful communication.
• Follow assigned routes and pickup instructions; promptly report delays, no-shows, cancellations, passenger concerns, and scheduling conflicts to coordinators. Do not independently change routes or appointments except as needed for immediate safety.
• Use GPS/navigation tools, smartphones, electronic scheduling and trip-record systems, email, and electronic timekeeping as assigned.
• Complete accurate and timely passenger trip documentation, inspection checklists, incident and near-miss reports, and other required records.
• Communicate clearly with coordinators, supervisors, passengers, and authorized caregivers; promptly escalate medical emergencies, unsafe conditions, and other urgent concerns.
• Maintain passenger confidentiality, professional boundaries, courteous service, and cooperative relationships with coworkers.
• Keep vehicles clean and sanitary, monitor fuel, follow traffic laws and defensive-driving practices, and complete required safety and passenger-assistance training.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position and applicable safety requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid California driver's license appropriate for assigned vehicle; Class B with required endorsements when operating vehicles that require it. Provide a current DMV driving record and meet agency insurability standards.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing, as necessary for safety instructions, dispatch communication, and required documentation.
• Good working knowledge of Orange County roads, major streets, freeways, and alternate routes, including Central, North, and South County, to anticipate traffic, avoid congestion when practical, and make safe routing decisions in coordination with dispatch. Ability to use GPS and mapping applications and learn agency scheduling, communication, and timekeeping systems.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, remain calm under pressure, respond appropriately to passenger needs, and work cooperatively with coordinators.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a job-related background check, applicable DMV and driving-record review, required pre-employment drug screening, and any applicable physical or medical qualification examination, consistent with federal and California law. Drivers must participate in ongoing random drug and/or alcohol testing when required by DOT regulations or an applicable lawful Abrazar policy; DOT and non-DOT testing programs are administered separately.
• First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain within the timeframe established by Abrazar.

Physical and Working Requirements

Work involves prolonged driving and sitting; frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, gripping, stepping into vehicles, and operating ramps and wheelchair lifts. Drivers must be able to assist with mobility devices and perform the essential functions safely, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specific lifting, pushing, and pulling demands depend on vehicle and passenger-assistance assignments and will be assessed against actual job requirements. Work may involve traffic, outdoor conditions, changing schedules, and passenger emergencies.

Additional Trainer Responsibilities (When Assigned)

Driver Trainers demonstrate safe driving, passenger assistance, wheelchair securement and injury-prevention practices; coach and observe new drivers; reinforce required documentation and communication procedures; and promptly report training or safety concerns to management.

About Abrazar (To Embrace)

Founded in 1975, Abrazar, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) community-based nonprofit serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, children, and families throughout Orange County. Our mission is to Embrace, Educate, and Empower. Beyond transportation, Abrazar provides programs and services that promote health and wellness, nutrition security, education, financial stability, housing stability, civic participation, and greater independence. Our transportation team is an important part of this broader mission: helping community members access medical care, adult day services, and essential opportunities with dignity and respect.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Abrazar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Abrazar provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable law.

Abrazar, Inc. | 7101 Wyoming Street, Westminster, CA 92683 | (714) 278-4672

Any offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check and post-offer, pre-employment screening, which includes drug, alcohol, TB, and job-related physical testing, as permitted by law.