ADA Travel Trainer Eligibility Specialist

About the role

The ADA Travel Trainer Eligibility Specialist is responsible for reviewing ADA paratransit application materials, supplemental intake and professional verification forms, conducting in-person interview for applicants, and performing functional assessments with applicants to determine eligibility for ADA paratransit service. The position is based in Chicago, IL, supporting the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).

Responsibilities

• Determines final eligibility based upon the application, interview, functional assessment and any supplemental information
• Conduct in-person interviews to assess mobility capabilities and review any supplemental information provided
• Determine what functional assessments the applicant will be required to undergo
• Provide written eligibility determination documentation to Client within ADA required and contracted time frame
• Reads and interprets ADA paratransit applications, intake forms, and professional verification forms
• Follow up on assessments and professional verification, as needed
• Provide further written documentation to Client upon request
• Conduct functional physical and/or cognitive assessment with applicants that may include: Physical Functional Assessment using an outdoor course, Physical Functional Assessment using an indoor course, FACTS, MMSE, inetti Balance and Gait Assessment, Beck’s Assessment
• Apply information obtained to determine applicant’s capability to independently ride fixed route transportation
• Provide required forms to administrative personnel for data-entry and eligibility letter generation
• Participate in staff meetings with leadership and/or Client
• Participate in community outreach and education as needed
• Participate in initial and on-going training as required by Transdev and Client
• Complete all necessary reports, paperwork and maintain on-going applicant tracking logs and reports for Transdev and Client
• Build rapport and communicate effectively with Transdev and Client personnel to include administrators, management, support staff and applicant while providing high quality customer service
• Maintain a positive attitude when interacting with individuals, support Staff and caregivers
• Work with management and the Client to follow through on service issues, troubleshooting problems, concerns, complaints, and training
• Education participants in the travel training program on how to safely use public transit resources in a variety of settings
• Create custom designed trainings for every travel training participant
• Manage individual travel training schedule using appropriate scheduling and tracking software solutions and other tools
• Travel requirement outside of immediate area (50%)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social services, Rehabilitation, Ancillary Health Care Profession, or a related field
• Willing to accept relevant experience and specialized certifications in lieu of a bachelor's degree (Certifications can include COTA, OT, PT)
• Valid driver’s license
• 3+ years of professional experience working with individuals with disabilities
• Experience and knowledge with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and sensitivity to issues relating to people with disabilities and older adults
• Experience conducting information-gathering relating to ADA Paratransit eligibility
• Intermediate level of proficiency or above with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint)
• Ability to learn, understand and teach the use of transit maps, schedules, and routes to individuals with disabilities/seniors
• Able to learn, understand and teach the use of transit maps, schedules, and routes to individuals with disabilities/seniors
• Ability to make clear and factual observations
• Solid interviewing, assessment, and observational skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse population
• Ability to be trained in administering a standardized evaluation tool and be able to consistently administer and score such a tool according to established protocols
• Ability to clearly communicate their findings and observations on the required database reports and notes, as well as in certification letters
• Desire to learn additional programs
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment
• Ability to work under limited supervision
• Ability to make clear and factual observations
• Ability to work independently and constructively in a field environment with the ability to meet project commitments in a timely manner

Physical Requirements

• Work outside in varying temperature, weather, and humidity conditions approximately 50% of the time.
• Frequent walking for long distances and on possible sloped ground or slippery and uneven surfaces.
• Push and pull objects up to 50 pounds, occasionally throughout the workday.
• Bend, kneel, or crouch to files or equipment stored at ground level.
• Tolerate exposure to considerable amounts of dust, vehicle fumes, and noise.

Benefits

Transdev offers a competitive compensation package including a minimum of $55,000 - maximum of $59,000. Benefits include:

• Vacation: minimum of two (2) weeks
• Sick days: 5 days
• Holidays: 12 days; 8 standard and 4 floating
• Other standard benefits: 401(k) retirement plan, medical, dental and vision, life insurance, short-term disability, voluntary long-term disability
• Mileage reimbursement

Transdev complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without restrictions for any employer at any time; be able to pass a drug screen and background check.