Driver Aide

Description

At BHA, Driver Aides play a vital role in ensuring the safe, respectful, and supportive transportation of clients. This role assists with boarding, monitoring, and exiting procedures, while providing behavioral, emotional, and mobility support to passengers as needed. The Driver Aide fosters a secure and welcoming transportation environment, always promoting client dignity and safety.

Grounded in our Core Values—Safety Through Structure, Compassion in Motion, Reliability That Builds Trust, Excellence in Every Detail, Innovation That Drives Us Forward, Teamwork Fuels the Journey, and Advocacy on the Road—Driver Aides provide hands-on support to passengers during boarding, transit, and exiting.

This position requires patience, resilience, and a strong commitment to client dignity and safety. Driver Aides contribute meaningfully to a secure and welcoming transportation environment while supporting the Driver and the broader Transportation team.

This is a safety-sensitive position. Employees must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, including maintaining continuous alertness, providing direct supervision, driving individuals served as required, and administering medications as trained

Drivers aides implement supports using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), working in close collaboration with Behavioral Clinicians to carry out evidence-based interventions, skill-building programs, and behavior support strategies with fidelity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Safety Through Structure 

· Assist passengers boarding and exiting vehicles safely, including securing seatbelts, wheelchairs, and safety equipment.

· Monitor clients during transit, ensuring compliance with company safety standards.

· Maintain vehicle readiness and cleanliness alongside the Driver.

Compassion in Motion 

· Provide calm, respectful, and empathetic support to passengers during transport.

· Assist in managing emotional or behavioral concerns with patience and care.

· Protect confidentiality and safeguard sensitive information.

Reliability Builds Trust 

· Support the Driver by monitoring passenger needs and alerting them to safety or behavioral concerns.

· Demonstrate punctuality, consistency, and reliability in fulfilling assigned duties.

· Follow through on responsibilities and communicate promptly with supervisors.

Excellence in Every Detail 

· Contribute to accurate completion of incident or trip reports as directed.

· Uphold high standards in documentation, client interactions, and teamwork.

· Participate in required trainings and demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement.

Innovation that Drives Us Forward 

· Remain open to learning new tools and practices that enhance transportation safety and efficiency.

· Provide feedback to improve passenger support and transportation processes.

Teamwork Fuels the Journey

· Collaborate with Drivers, supervisors, and program staff to meet passenger needs.

· Actively contribute to a respectful, supportive team environment.

· Offer assistance to fellow team members as needed.

Advocacy on the Road

· Represent BHA’s mission by advocating for the dignity, inclusion, and safety of all passengers.

· Ensure every passenger feels seen, respected, and supported during transit.

Other Duties 

· Perform other duties and special projects to support transportation operations as assigned.

· Responsible, either directly or indirectly, for filing all expense reports according to company policy.

· Directly or indirectly responsible for completing time reports on or before the defined due date.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below represent those required to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made, as required by law, to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions safely and effectively. However, employees must be able to perform the essential duties in a manner that ensures the safety and supervision of students at all times during transport.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The working conditions described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made, in accordance with applicable law, to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions safely and effectively. However, employees must be able to perform the essential duties in a manner that ensures the safety and supervision of students at all times.

Additional Conditions and Expectations:

• Employees must maintain professional conduct,  patience, and emotional control during all student interactions and      behavioral incidents.
• Employees must adhere to all BHA safety and transportation protocols, including seat belt and harness policies, emergency evacuation procedures, and crisis management guidelines.
• Employees must remain alert and engaged  throughout all routes; sleeping, use of personal electronics, or disengagement during supervision is strictly prohibited.
• Employees must maintain confidentiality, respect, and dignity toward all students, families, and colleagues, regardless of behavioral presentation.
• Work hours may vary depending on route schedules, student needs, or weather-related changes.

Fitness for Duty / Medical Evaluation (Job-Related):
BHA may require a job-related fitness-for-duty evaluation consistent with applicable law when there is a reasonable concern that an employee may be unable to safely perform the essential functions of the role (including driving, medication administration, crisis response, and continuous supervision), or as part of return-to-work clearance following certain leaves or incidents.

ACCESS TO PHI: The employee may have access to Protected Health Information (PHI). Employees must always protect the confidentiality of all client information. This includes adhering to all BHA policies and all applicable state and federal regulations regarding Protected Health Information (PHI). Sharing, discussing, or disclosing PHI in any form—verbal, written, electronic, or visual—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly authorized and required for job duties.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT: Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment based on their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination based on their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted so as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.

ADA STATEMENT: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential job duty. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

ACCOUNTABILITY/IMPACT (Degree of answerability for actions, consequences of errors in judgment, and legal liabilities): Errors in judgment or mistakes could cost the organization loss of revenue, loss of clients, and/or negatively impact KCBHH’s reputation.

BHA TRANSPORTATION CORE VALUES 

1. Safety Through Structure

We ensure the physical and emotional safety of every passenger by maintaining predictable routines, well-maintained vehicles, and calm, consistent operations. We understand that a structured transportation experience builds trust and supports emotional regulation.

2. Compassion in Motion

Every route we drive represents a connection to care, education, and opportunity. We treat passengers with empathy, patience, and respect—recognizing that behind every pickup and drop-off is a story. Our drivers are not just transporting individuals; they are extending BHA’s mission in every mile.

3. Reliability That Builds Trust

We do what we say we will do—showing up on time, following through on commitments, and taking responsibility for every journey. Consistency is key to trust, especially for the individuals and families we serve.

4. Excellence in Every Detail

From vehicle maintenance to cleanliness, from documentation to communication—we pursue operational excellence at every level. Our work behind the scenes ensures that our services are efficient, dependable, and reflective of the highest standards of care.

5. Innovation That Drives Us Forward

We seek new tools, technologies, and practices to enhance safety, efficiency, and passenger experience. Whether implementing real-time GPS tracking or refining routes for better outcomes, we are committed to continuous improvement.

6. Teamwork Fuels the Journey

Our transportation team operates with mutual respect, shared goals, and open communication. We support each other, collaborate with departments, and take pride in being a vital link between programs and people.

7. Advocacy on the Road

We represent BHA with every trip—advocating for the dignity, inclusion, and needs of those we serve. We ensure that our passengers feel seen, supported, and safe.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 

1. Required company trainings.

2. Trainings deemed necessary by supervisor.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

· High school diploma or equivalent required.

· Prior experience transporting individuals with developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, or medical conditions preferred.

· Experience transporting individuals with developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, or medical conditions preferred. 

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commitment to safety, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and respond appropriately to unexpected situations.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail in vehicle inspections, documentation, and client support.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Organizational and time management proficiency.
• Emotional resilience and professionalism in high-pressure situations.
• Training in crisis de-escalation or passenger assistance preferred.

Other Requirements

· Must participate in, prior to hire and annually thereafter, a Human Performance Evaluation conducted by a medical provider of the company’s choosing.

· Must pass all required background checks.

· This position is subject to random and annual drug and alcohol testing.

Additional Requirements:

• Must maintain physical stamina, balance, and coordination to support and supervise students safely during loading,      transport, and unloading.
• Must be capable of implementing crisis prevention and physical management procedures (PCMA) when necessary to ensure student and staff safety.
• Must remain alert, observant, and engaged throughout the route; inattention or distraction during transport supervision is strictly prohibited.
• Must be able to maintain composure, physical control, and emotional regulation during high-stress or physically demanding incidents involving challenging behaviors.
• Must possess sufficient fine motor skills and sensory ability to operate harnesses, seatbelts, and safety equipment effectively and safely.