Driver

POSITION TITLE: Driver
DEPARTMENT: Health and Human Services (HHS)
LOCATION: Tukwila, WA
REPORTS TO: Transportation Coordinator
STATUS: Hourly, fulltime
WAGE RANGE: $22.50 – $25.80 per hour

Open until filled, first review: July 7, 2026

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Provides safe and timely transportation of Cowlitz tribal members to clinic appointments. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, and values of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and of the HHS department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assists passengers while boarding and exiting the vehicle.
• Regulates heating, lighting, and ventilation for passenger comfort.
• Operates vehicles on specified routes and time schedules; ensures clients arrive on time to appointments.
• Ensures passenger safety; obeys all appropriate federal, state, local, and tribal laws and rules.
• Operates vehicle and equipment, including cellular communication and navigation equipment, handicap lift, and wheelchair and tie downs according to equipment instructions and established safety protocols.
• Delivers medications to patients who are unable to come to the clinic to pick them up.
• Maintains daily trip logs.
• Performs daily inspection of vehicles, including gas, oil, and water, before departure.
• Performs basic vehicle maintenance; details and sanitizes the interior of the vehicle; washes and details the exterior of the vehicle.
• Responds to emergency situations, including traffic accidents, medical emergencies of passengers, and community disaster evacuation plans.
• Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
• Provides excellent customer service for all internal and external customers of the operations at all times.
• Maintains and enhances professional skills and techniques through participation in educational workshops, classes, and training.
• Trains new drivers as requested.
• Maintains confidential information.
• Adheres to safety procedures and utilizes safety apparel as appropriate.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and rules pertaining to traffic safety.
• Knowledge of the Cowlitz Indian Reservation, including all roads, highways, streets, and locations.
• Knowledge of CIT transportation procedures and policies.
• Skill in safe operation and handling of motor vehicles.
• Ability to safely and effectively operate and maintain transit vehicles and equipment.
• Ability to drive a transit vehicle in all weather conditions.
• Ability to competently use a computer, including basic Word Processing software, and cellular communication and navigation equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to learn the methods of cleaning and caring for transit vehicles.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to follow verbal or written instructions.
• Ability to remain calm in adverse situations.
• Ability to meet strict timelines.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Five-year Driving Abstract record required.
• Obtain and maintain Defensive Driving, PASS, and Child Safety Securement certifications within three months of hire.
• Obtain and maintain First Aid, CPR, and BLS/AED Certifications within three months of hire.
• A valid Class D driver’s license is required.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening/investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to sit for extended periods of time. The employee frequently is required to use hands and fingers, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee occasionally is required to walk, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, and climb. Normal visual acuity and the ability to talk and hear are required by this job. The employee frequently lifts and/or carries objects up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an interior setting and in an outdoor environment or a vehicle. Exposure to dirt, dust, fumes, infectious diseases, hostile individuals, and potentially dangerous situations will occur. Situations will occur where protective clothing, equipment, devices, and materials are needed. Noise level is usually moderate to excessive. Evening and/or weekend work will be required.