SENIOR MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR, ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS

Definition

Under direction, drives, cleans, services, and makes minor repairs to motor vehicles used in transporting elderly, handicapped, and developmentally disabled passengers on assigned established routes, and/or directly from their homes to desired destinations and back, and takes the lead over one or more Motor Vehicle Operators; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• In addition to taking the lead over other Motor Vehicle Operators, Elderly and Handicapped Persons in the performance of their duties, positions in this class also perform the tasks described below:
• Assists senior citizens and the handicapped into and out of vehicles and where required escorts persons to and from their homes, doctors offices, markets, and so forth.
• Operates a hydraulic lift mechanism to assist passengers confined to a wheelchair on and off vehicle and assists them into and out of seats.
• Assists passengers by lifting heavy and cumbersome packages while boarding or dismounting vehicle or if needed from the store and into person's home.
• As assigned, drives a bus on established route and/or operates van to transport the elderly, handicapped, and developmentally disabled to and from their homes to hospitals, doctors' offices, markets, and so forth, on a demand response basis.
• May maintain general card file on regular passengers which lists nature of their illness, name, address, and telephone number of their doctor and possible emergency treatment to be administered should passenger have epileptic seizure and/or heart attack, and so forth.
• May render required emergency medical treatment.
• Checks vehicle for operating safety.
• Inspects vehicle at start and end of each trip for cleanliness and general condition.
• Checks, cleans, and performs minor servicing of vehicles.
• Maintains records of all trips.
• Prepares simple reports.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in operating a motor vehicle used in the transportation of six or more persons.

License

Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey. Appointees may also be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the geography of the jurisdiction.
• Knowledge of safety precautions in dealing with the elderly, physically, and mentally handicapped persons.
• Knowledge of the care, maintenance, minor servicing, and competent, safe, and efficient operation of motor vehicles.
• Knowledge of the appropriate procedures to be used in dealing with elderly, physically handicapped, and mentally handicapped persons.
• Ability to get along with elderly, physically, and mentally handicapped persons.
• Ability to understand the needs and special problems of the elderly, physically, and mentally handicapped, and to deal with same in a compassionate, sympathetic, and calm manner.
• Ability to drive vehicles in a skilled and safe manner.
• Ability to check, clean, service, and make minor and emergency repairs to vehicles operated.
• Ability to maintain essential records.
• Ability to provide other employees with advise, assistance, instructions, and information.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.