The Village is accredited by the International Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Adoptions, Foster Care, Mental Health, Wraparound, and Drop-In Center services. We deliver evidenced-based behavioral health services to children, youth and adults, and has long been at the forefront of culturally sensitive foster care and adoption services.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals and families, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding position. We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth. Join our team of dedicated professionals today!

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Driver/Travel Escort provides safe transportation, travel escort, and release support services for Children in accordance with Policy Guides, MAP requirements, Flores Settlement Agreement standards, state licensing regulations, and agency policies. The position ensures youth have timely access to medical, behavioral health, educational, legal, and other essential services while maintaining continuous supervision, safety, and well-being. The incumbent serves as a designated travel escort during local transportation, airport transfers, and commercial air travel, maintaining custody and supervision until reunification with the sponsor or authorized caregiver. As part of the multidisciplinary team, the Driver/Travel Escort supports release activities, maintains required documentation, promotes trauma-informed and culturally responsive care, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and agency requirements governing the transportation, care, and safe release of children.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Qualifications
  • High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree or additional experience in child welfare, social services, transportation, customer service, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience working with children, adolescents, or vulnerable populations.
  • Minimum two (2) years of professional driving experience with a safe driving record.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred, with the ability to communicate effectively with youth, sponsors, staff, and service providers.
  • Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and eligible to travel by commercial airline within the United States.
  • Valid driver's license, proof of insurability, and satisfactory driving record required.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, overnight travel, and extended travel assignments as required.
  • Knowledge of trauma-informed care, child development, behavior management, and culturally responsive practices preferred.
  • Knowledge of airport procedures, airline travel requirements, travel documentation, child passenger safety, chain-of-custody protocols, and travel escort procedures preferred.
  • Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to maintain accurate electronic and paper records.
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, reliability, and ability to remain calm and professional in high-pressure situations.
  • Ability to pass all required federal, state, and local background checks, drug screening, and TB testing.
  • CPR/First Aid certification preferred or ability to obtain within ninety (90) days of hire.
  • Crisis intervention and de-escalation training certification preferred or ability to obtain within ninety (90) days of hire.
  • Must provide child-facing services on-site.

• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in a funded program, foster care, refugee resettlement, behavioral health, or child welfare setting.
  • Experience serving as a youth escort, transport specialist, case aide, or direct-care staff member.
  • Working knowledge of Policy Guides, MAP requirements, Flores Settlement Agreement standards, and child safeguarding practices.

VACCINATIONS REQUIRED: Be able to show proof of immunization or immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route, including:

• Varicella: two doses of varicella vaccine (at least four weeks apart) OR born in the United States before 1980 with a reported history of chickenpox (verified by an adult present at the time of illness) OR titers indicating varicella immunity OR documentation from a healthcare provider verifying previous infection.
• MMR: two doses of MMR vaccine (at least four weeks apart) OR titers indicating immunity to all three diseases.
• Tdap: one Tdap dose.
• Influenza: one dose annually during flu season.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

All of the responsibilities listed below are considered essential functions of this position. Additionally, this position is expected to ensure that the core operating values and the strategic direction of the agency are adhered to.

Transportation and Youth Supervision
1. Safely transport youth to and from court, medical, school, community, airport, and other approved appointments, ensuring timely arrival and compliance with all traffic laws and safety requirements.
2. Provide direct supervision and a supportive environment for children during local transport and travel transitions.
3. Document travel activity, client behavior, incidents, and other required information in a timely and accurate manner.
4. Maintain vehicle cleanliness, routine readiness, mileage or travel logs, and report mechanical or safety concerns immediately.
5. Use de-escalation, crisis intervention, and sound judgment when responding to youth needs or unexpected travel issues.

Travel Escort Coordination and Release

1. Coordinate travel arrangements and escort logistics with internal staff, sponsors, airlines, airports, and other authorized parties.
2. Guide children through check-in, security, boarding, transfers, and arrival procedures while keeping the child in sight and ensuring all required travel documents are complete.
3. Provide reassurance and emotional support to children during delays, changes in itinerary, or stressful travel situations.
4. Verify identification of approved sponsors or designated adults before releasing custody of a child and ensure handoff procedures are completed accurately and safely.
5. Travel by airplane and to various locations, including intrastate and interstate travel, as needed to complete escort assignments.

General Expectations

1. Demonstrate professional boundaries, dependable attendance, punctuality, and effective communication.
2. Support a collaborative team environment and contribute to safe, timely, and quality service delivery.
3. Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor or management.

Physical Activity

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities. 

- Demonstrated ability to travel frequently and safely via commercial airline, train, automobile, and other transportation methods, including the ability to tolerate extended travel durations, overnight travel, and prolonged periods of sitting
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, push, pull, lift, and carry luggage, supplies, or equipment up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while driving or supervising travel.
- Ability to position oneself to ensure proper restraint and safe supervision of minors in vehicles and public travel settings.
- Ability to respond to variable schedules and urgent travel requests communicated by phone or email.
- May be exposed to adverse environmental or travel conditions, including traffic, weather, airport delays, and extended travel periods.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Adheres to all legal parameters for ensuring and maintaining clients' confidentiality including HIPAA, State and Federal laws.  

Job Type: Full-time

Pay Range: $24.04/hr, non-exempt

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

The Village Family Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.