The Community Outing and Transportation Specialist plays a critical role in supporting Eisenhower Center's mission of delivering innovative, trauma-informed, evidence-based, and patient-centered rehabilitation services. This position provides safe, dependable, and compassionate transportation for individuals recovering from brain injury, behavioral health conditions, and other complex medical needs while promoting dignity, independence, community integration, and therapeutic engagement. The Transportation Specialist is an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, ensuring transportation services support individualized care plans, rehabilitation goals, and organizational standards. In addition to transportation duties, this role assists with therapeutic programming, resident engagement, behavioral regulation, and environmental safety while maintaining compliance with CARF standards, CMS requirements, CMH expectations, LARA regulations, DOT requirements, and all applicable state and federal guidelines. This position requires exceptional customer service, strong safety awareness, trauma-informed communication skills, and a commitment to creating a positive and supportive experience for every participant served. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Transportation and Community Access - Safely transport residents and participants between Eisenhower Center locations, treatment programs, vocational opportunities, community activities, medical appointments, and therapeutic destinations.
- Operate wheelchair-accessible vehicles and lift-equipped buses according to all safety regulations and organizational procedures.
- Ensure all wheelchairs, mobility devices, and adaptive equipment are properly secure prior to vehicle operation.
- Utilize defensive driving techniques and initiative-taking risk management strategies to ensure the safety of passengers, staff, and community members.
- Conduct pre-trip, post-trip, and routine vehicle inspections and promptly report mechanical concerns.
- Monitor and maintain a safe, therapeutic, and respectful transportation environment.
- Support participant independence, autonomy, and community integration opportunities during transportation activities.
- Purposefully engage residents in meaningful, enjoyable activities that support healing, recovery, and overall well-being.
Trauma-Informed and Patient-Centered Care - Deliver transportation services using trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally responsive approaches.
- Foster an environment that promotes psychological safety, emotional regulation, dignity, and respect.
- Respond calmly and effectively to behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and environmental challenges that may arise during transport.
- Utilize de-escalation techniques and therapeutic communication consistent with organizational training and best practices.
- Encourage independence and participation while maintaining appropriate levels of supervision and support.
Program and Resident Support - Participate in therapeutic, vocational, recreational, and community integration activities when transportation duties are completed.
- Assist program staff in supporting participant engagement, safety, and supervision during structured activities.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to support individualized rehabilitation goals.
- Observe and communicate any changes in participant status, behaviors, or safety concerns to appropriate clinical staff.
Safety, Compliance, and Quality Assurance - Maintain compliance with CARF accreditation standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, CMH requirements, LARA regulations, DOT standards, HIPAA requirements, and organizational policies.
- Document incidents, accidents, safety concerns, and transportation-related events in accordance with organizational procedures.
- Submit timely event reporting through Safety Zone and other designated reporting systems.
- Support organizational quality improvement initiatives, risk management practices, and performance metrics.
- Maintain required certifications, training, and competencies necessary to perform essential job functions.
Vehicle and Equipment Management - Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and operational readiness of assigned vehicles.
- Coordinate with maintenance personnel regarding vehicle repairs, preventive maintenance, and safety concerns.
- Ensure transportation equipment remains functional, compliant, and accessible.
- Assist with fleet safety initiatives and transportation quality improvement efforts.
Required Qualifications - Valid Michigan Chauffeur License or Commercial Driver's License (CDL) as applicable.
- Ability to obtain and maintain all driving credentials required by organizational policy.
- Ability to safely operate wheelchair-accessible vehicles and transportation equipment.
- Demonstrated commitment to resident safety, customer service, and person-centered care.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience collaborating with individuals recovering from brain injury, behavioral health conditions, developmental disabilities, or complex medical needs.
- Experience in healthcare, rehabilitation, behavioral health, transportation services, or human services settings.
- Training in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, behavioral support, or de-escalation techniques.
- Knowledge of CARF accreditation standards and healthcare regulatory requirements.
Core Competencies Clinical and Service Excellence - Trauma-Informed Care
- Person-Centered Service Delivery
- Therapeutic Communication
- Resident Advocacy
- Community Integration Support
- Behavioral Observation and Reporting
Safety and Regulatory Compliance - Defensive Driving
- Risk Management
- Emergency Response
- Vehicle Safety Operations
- Regulatory Compliance
- Incident Reporting
Professional Effectiveness - Communication Skills
- Team Collaboration
- Problem Solving
- Accountability
- Adaptability
- Professional Judgment
Physical Requirements - Ability to assist individuals entering and exiting vehicles safely.
- Ability to secure wheelchairs and adaptive equipment.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to organizationally established limits with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to sit, stand, bend, walk, and perform vehicle inspections throughout the workday.
- Ability to safely operate transportation vehicles in varying weather and road conditions.
Full-Time | 32 Hours per Week
Monday-Friday | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Opportunity for up to 40 hours per week based on special events and program needs 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM - Review incident reports and prepare for the day
8:45 AM - 9:15 AM - Assist residents with boarding transportation and ensure all necessary supplies are ready
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM - Coordinate with Day Program staff and transport residents to the farm
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Support day program activities and resident engagement
- 30-minute lunch break included
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Load residents and transport them back to Ann Arbor
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM - Vehicle clean-up, documentation, and end-of-day responsibilities
Eisenhower Center is 100% employee owned and offers an excellent benefit package including: - PTO
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- 401(k) plan eligible to participate after 1 year & 1,000 hours of employment
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account for Medical and Dependent Care
- Employer Paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
- Voluntary Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability available
- Student Stipend
- Employee Discount Program
- Continuing professional development opportunities
Eisenhower Center is an EEO employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories – and is a 2019 Bronze Veteran-Friendly Employer, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Eisenhower Center endeavors to make this website accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at (734) 677-0070.This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do
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