Job Description

Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike!

The City of Kent is currently accepting applications for the part-time, non-benefited position of Van Driver for the Senior Activity Center within the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.  The person in this position will work varying hours each week. This position requires the ability to safely operate a passenger bus or van to transport individuals to and from the Senior Activity Center and on various other outings and field trips.  The ideal candidate will be someone with exceptional interpersonal skills who really enjoys interacting with and assisting senior citizens.  The possession of a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) is a requirement.

Pay for this position is $24.79-30.21/hour, depending on qualifications.

Temporary employees with the City of Kent do not receive insurance or time off benefits outside of those which are legally mandated. In certain instances, temporary employees may be eligible for retirement benefits through the State of Washington’s Department of Retirement Systems.

Under the direction of the Senior Activity Center Facility Manager or an assigned supervisor, operate a passenger bus or van to transport senior citizens to and from the Senior Activity Center and other designated locations.

Work is characterized by routine tasks involved in operating a passenger bus or a City passenger van safely to transport senior citizens to and from the Senior Center; assisting passengers in getting on and off the bus or van as needed; operating a handicap lift; and maintaining the bus or van in a safe and operating condition; working with supervisor in scheduling van or bus.

Work is performed under continuing supervision. Supervisor indicates what is to be done, limitations, quality and quantity of work expected, deadlines, and priority of assignments. Supervisor provides additional, specific instructions for new, difficult or unusual assignments. Incumbent carries out recurring assignments independently but refers deviations from procedures to supervisor for help or decision. Work is reviewed for technical accuracy and compliance with instructions or established procedure.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operate a passenger bus or van to safely transport senior citizens to and from the Senior Activity Center.

Operate passenger buses and/or vans with handicap lifts; incumbent must be able to safely operate a handicap lift.

Collaborate with program staff on appropriate trip selection; destinations; activities.

Transport senior citizens on scheduled outings and field trips; act as the trip escort, taking senior citizens to events, meals, etc. and handling money, tickets and other field trip related duties and responsibilities; account for all participants throughout the activity.

Operate passenger buses and/or vans safely and observe legal and defensive driving techniques. Select appropriate/safe parking or pick-up and drop-of areas

         

Assist passengers as needed in getting on and off the bus or van; provide quality customer service, information and assistance as requested.

Wash the vehicles and assure proper operation of safety equipment; gas vehicle daily; perform vehicle inspections before each trip; and report malfunctions according to established procedures.

Be prepared to administer first aid or manage a variety of emergencies common to trips and related activities.     

Complete pre and post trip reporting; program evaluations.

Actively support the vision, mission, values and goals of the department and the City.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:    

Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

  • Operation of a passenger bus and van

  • Traffic signs, signals and applicable driving safety precautions and procedures

  • Geographic locations and streets within the City of Kent

  • Senior population specific needs and challenges (health, mobility, and memory).

  • Applicable City policies, procedures, structure

  • Applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, regulations and ordinances as it directly relates to the work performed

  • Health and safety regulations

SKILLED IN:

  • Demonstrating effective interpersonal relations using tact, patience and courtesy

  • Communicating effectively both orally and in writing with diverse populations

  • Operating a passenger bus or van safely and efficiently

  • Legal and defensive driving practices


ABILITY TO:

  • Provide transportation for senior citizens

  • Assist passengers getting on and off the bus and van

  • Operate a handicap lift

  • Maintain routine records related to van operation and servicing

  • Assure proper operation of safety equipment and report malfunctions

  • Understand and follow oral and written directions

  • Meet schedules and time lines

  • Read a map and locate destinations

  • Exhibit a courteous, positive and friendly manner with passengers

  • Work with diverse populations, communicate with non-English speakers,

  • Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: High school diploma, or equivalent; and

Experience: Sufficient training and experience demonstrating knowledge and abilities listed in this specification.

Or:  In place of the above combination, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Valid Washington State driver’s license

  • Valid Commercial Driver’s License with passenger endorsement

  • Current First Aid/CPR Certification

  • Must maintain an excellent driving record

  • Must successfully complete the City's Defensive Driving Course

  • Must successfully pass the City's pre-employment driver's records check

  • Completion of position relevant background check

MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Employee is required to operate and maintain a City vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl. The employee is required to sit for an extended period of time while driving. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work includes indoor and outdoor environment; subject to traffic hazards in driving from site-to-site and subject to assisting passengers on and off the vehicle.  The incumbent may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Application Instructions

Please click on the link below to apply for this position. A new window will open and direct you to apply at our corporate careers page. We look forward to hearing from you!

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