The Center for Independent Living (CIL), founded in Berkeley as the nation’s first independent living center, is a pioneer of the disability rights and independent living movement. Our radical legacy is rooted in peer-led advocacy, cross-disability solidarity, and the belief that all people with disabilities have the right to live with dignity, choice, and freedom. Today, CIL provides advocacy and direct services that increase awareness, collaboration, and opportunity among people with disabilities and the broader community. Our programs equip people with skills, knowledge, and resources to challenge ableism, eliminate barriers, and pursue lives they value.

POSITION SUMMARY

Join the Center for Independent Living (CIL) as a Bilingual (Spanish) Accessible Transportation Driver, providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation for people with disabilities in the Berkeley community. This full-time role is ideal for a compassionate, dependable driver committed to language access, disability inclusion, and respectful, person-centered service.

The Driver supports individuals with disabilities in accessing their communities by providing safe, timely, and respectful transportation while fostering independence and community connection. Drivers help participants reach essential destinations such as appointments, programs, and community activities and provide language access and culturally responsive service for Spanish-speaking participants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Transportation Services

• Provide safe and reliable transportation for program participants to and from designated locations.
• Ensure trips are conducted in a timely and efficient manner, typically lasting no more than two hours per assignment on average.
• Assist passengers as appropriate while respecting their independence, dignity, preferences, and individual needs.
• Adhere to all traffic laws, safety regulations, and organizational transportation policies.
• Provide door-to-door assistance as appropriate, supporting passengers between their homes, vehicles, and destinations while respecting individual independence and preferences.

Dispatch Support – As Needed

• Support basic dispatch functions during non-driving periods, including coordinating ride schedules through CIL's electronic operations/dispatch platform and communicating with participants.
• Assist with confirming trip details and pick-up/drop-off times and addressing day-of scheduling changes.
• Communicate with the transportation team to support efficient routing and service delivery.
• Provide language access support for Spanish-speaking participants during dispatch interactions, as needed.
• Maintain clear and accurate documentation of trips and communications.

Documentation & Reporting

• Accurately record trip details, including start/end times and mileage.
• Submit required documentation promptly for reimbursement and program tracking purposes.
• Report incidents, delays, or concerns to program staff in a timely manner.

Program Coordination

• Follow direction from appropriate program staff and comply with established procedures.
• Maintain clear and professional communication with staff and participants.
• Demonstrate flexibility and reliability in scheduling and completing assigned trips.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• No license suspensions within the past two years.
• No major or moving violations within the past three years.
• Ability to safely perform the essential driving functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening. Continued employment may require participation in periodic or random drug and alcohol testing in accordance with organizational policy, safety standards, and applicable laws.
• Ability to pass required background and driving record checks.
• Completion of training on safely and respectfully transporting people with disabilities within the past three years, or willingness to complete required training and certification upon hire. Training includes disability sensitivity and respectful service practices, passenger assistance techniques, including door-to-door support, safe operation and use of accessibility equipment, and transportation safety procedures for passengers with disabilities.
• Maintain a low-scent vehicle environment by refraining from the use of perfumes, colognes, or other scented products while working in or around program vehicles.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required; fluency in spoken Spanish is required to effectively communicate with participants.

PREFERRED SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Compassion, patience, and a strong commitment to promoting interdependence for individuals with disabilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a patient, calm, and adaptable approach.
• Ability to work respectfully with diverse populations and provide culturally responsive service.
• Dependability and a strong sense of responsibility.
• Ability to work in person and travel to local locations.
• Commitment to anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ liberation, gender and economic justice, and anti-ableism; familiarity with, or willingness to engage in, Disability Justice frameworks and principles.
• Knowledge of Independent Living, Disability Rights, and Disability Justice history and philosophy preferred, or willingness to learn.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse communities, especially Black and Indigenous communities, communities of color, and low-income communities.
• Knowledge of Bay Area public transportation systems, roadways, and traffic patterns is a plus.
• Self-directed, with a demonstrated ability to manage time and multiple tasks effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff and community partners.
• Excellent organizational and planning abilities, with the capacity to adapt quickly in dynamic environments.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Lived experience with a disability is preferred.
• Bicultural experience is preferred.

WORK SCHEDULE & EXPECTATIONS

• Full-time position, 37.5 hours per week, with scheduling based on program needs.
• Regular transportation assignments with variability in daily driving and dispatch workload.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for up to 50% of the time.
• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information with community members by telephone, email, video, and in person.
• Ability to drive for extended periods throughout the workday, with appropriate breaks.

Reasonable accommodations can be provided to support qualified individuals in performing the essential functions of the position.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and a cover letter describing your interest in this position and how your lived and/or professional experiences connect to our mission and values.

All job offers are contingent on successfully passing a pre-employment background check.

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application or hiring process, please contact the Hiring Team at [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

CIL Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity), national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Persons with disabilities, veterans, women, and individuals from historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

CIL is an E-Verify participating employer.