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PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT: Transportation                                    Volunteer Position
 
POSITION TITLE: Rider Companion
                                            
DEFINITION/ESSENTIAL FUNCTION OF POSITION: 
Responsible for ensuring that riders are confident and comfortable while using public transportation. This includes being on board the vehicle to greet passengers, and ride with them to their destinations. It may also include walking with passengers in and out of vehicles, and into facilities by offering support or pushing a wheelchair, and waiting for them while they are in appointments.
 
REPORTS TO: Volunteer Specialist
 
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
 
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Rider companions must be patient and caring with a desire to work one-on-one with people. Experience working with special populations such as the elderly or people with Alzheimer’s or other disabilities is a plus. Training on identifying and coping with Alzheimer’s behaviors is a plus. Training on working with special populations can be provided.
 
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:
Successful rider companions will have time to give; a welcoming smile; the desire to help people get the places they want to go to experience life fully; the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of different types of people; be able to maintain a calm and reassuring demeanor when others are tense; and be good at identifying and using general conversation to teach the information people need to know to be able to use transit independently.
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Rider companions must be able to help riders in or out of a vehicle and into a facility by offering an arm for support or pushing a wheelchair.
 
OTHER: 
Means of transportation, telephone. 
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  • Ride the chosen form of public transit with people who are unable to ride alone or who do not feel comfortable doing so
  • Teach the skills for riding transit to those who lack confidence, but would otherwise be capable of riding transit independently
  • Help people in and out of vehicles and into facilities by offering support or pushing a wheelchair when necessary        
  • Wait during appointments when necessary
  • Wear a welcoming smile
  • Maintain a calming demeanor
  • Possess good communication skills
 
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and volunteer will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by supervisory personnel.
 
Volunteers are maintained in an at-will status. Western Community Action reserves the right to revise or change any or all parts of this job description. This job description describes a volunteer position. It does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. EOE/AA/ADA