Transportation Officer - Veterans Affairs

About the role

The position involves coordinating and arranging transportation for eligible veterans to and from VA Medical Centers. It also entails assisting patients with appointments, serving as a liaison, and handling various inquiries related to veterans' health care.

Responsibilities

• Operate a multi-passenger van to transport veterans needing medical care to VA Medical Centers.
• Coordinate scheduled pre-approved home pick-up for disabled veterans, transporting them to appropriate clinics, and ensuring their timely arrival.
• Make house calls to pick-up disabled veterans, transport them to appropriate clinics, and ensure their timely arrival.
• Assist veterans on to and off of the vehicle, including pushing wheelchair up the van ramp and securing wheelchair in safety restraint system.
• Serve as an advocate for veterans, directing them to appointments at various clinics and hospitals, and handling various inquires such as appointments, rescheduling, prescriptions, urgent care, and other communications between veterans and VA Medical Centers.
• Prior to departure from VA Medical Centers, locate veterans by checking clinics or communicating between veterans and the VA Medical Centers.
• Greet passengers and provide assistance with loading and unloading.
• Operate the shuttle van in a safe and efficient manner, complying with all traffic and safety regulations.
• Monitor vehicle's condition and record malfunctioning items or damage on appropriate forms.
• Conduct pre-post trip inspections of the shuttle buses at the beginning and end of shift to ensure sound operating conditions.
• Monitor traffic and weather conditions and notify the Director or supervisor of potential problems.
• Report accidents or other safety situations to the Director or supervisor.
• Treat all veterans and their dependents in a courteous, friendly, and professional manner.
• Maintain a log of daily activities, including entering data on home pick-ups, miles traveled, and locations traveled to and from.
• Maintain preventive maintenance records on van and arrange for routine maintenance, following agency policies and procedures.
• Treat equipment and supplies such as tires, lights, brakes, gas, oil, and water, reporting any problems to the Veteran Affairs Director.
• Aid office personnel with routine clerical duties such as answering phones, filing, and assisting veterans and their dependents.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent education.
• One year of experience in passenger transportation.
• Valid Driver’s License for at least 5 years, with an excellent driving record.
• Ability to operate a passenger van safely and efficiently.
• Ability to drive in all weather conditions when authorized.
• Ability to work flexible hours, evenings, and weekends as directed.
• Positive and professional attitude with strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Speak to others to convey information effectively.
• Read, interpret, and understand procedures, rules, technical information, instructions, and manuals.
• Hear and understand information presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Use hands to operate a computer, handle materials, and operate equipment.
• Lift, move, or carry objects, equipment, and supplies weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Sit, bend, stoop, crouch, crawl, and kneel in an ergonomically correct manner.
• Stand and walk, climb stairs.
• Physical ability to set up and clean up facilities for special events.

Working Conditions

• Work in office conditions.
• Noise level in the work environment is moderate with many interruptions.
• Work with a very diverse cross-section of the public.
• Work outside in various weather and driving conditions.
• Exposure to individuals with various emotional/mental issues.
• Exposure to communicable diseases.
• Flexible working hours, although normal office hours are from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.
• May be required to attend meetings and community events at locations throughout the county on a regular basis.

Benefits

This position is benefited and is subject to the UAW GROUP CBA. Ingham County offers a wide range of benefits to support employees in their careers. View the Benefits page for more information. The current group contract can be viewed here.