Bilingual Youth Transportation Specialist

National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 Paid days off (11 holidays + 22 PTO

Health benefits for you and family

Pet insurance discounts

401(k)

Mileage reimbursement

Phone allowance

Student loan repayment assistance

CEUs and trainings

Job summary

National Youth Advocate Program is seeking a Transporter Specialist for the La Jornada Program focusing on transitional foster care (TFC). This role coordinates transportation and physically escorts unaccompanied youth toward reunification with sponsors.

Expect travel up to 40–50% out of state, strict safety procedures, documentation, and collaboration with clinical staff to ensure smooth, compassionate transitions for youth and families.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience working with at‑risk youth.
• Bilingual English/Spanish fluency required.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Strong time management and organization.
• Ability to pass agility and strength evaluation.
• Clean driving record and auto insurance.
• Proficient with basic office software.
• 21 years of age with vehicle and good driving history.

Responsibilities

• Travel out of state up to 40–50% for reunification efforts.
• Coordinate transportation and physically escort youth in transit.
• Maintain daily roster of times, destinations, and transporters.
• Provide safety training to new hires every three weeks.
• Inspect and ensure cleanliness and safe operation of vehicles.
• Report vehicle issues and maintain transport documentation.
• Support crisis interventions when necessary.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Driver's license & reliable transport

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Computers & smartphones

Job description

• NYAP's commitment to doing what is best for children, youth and their families is a core value and one that we look for in our newest team members.
• 33 Paid days off each year!(11 holidays + 22 days PTO)
• Healthcare Benefits for you and your family.
• Pet insurance that provides discounts and reimbursements.
• Competitive salaries and benefits including a 401(k), Summer Hours Off (Half-day Fridays and Work Anniversary Trips!)
• Mileage Reimbursement, Phone Allowance, Student Loan Repayment Assistance, CEU’s and ongoing trainings/education.
• Why Work with Us?Exciting Benefits and Opportunities at NYAP!

Working At NYAP

• NYAP's commitment to doing what is best for children, youth and their families is a core value and one that we look for in our newest team members.
• 33 Paid days off each year!(11 holidays + 22 days PTO)
• Healthcare Benefits for you and your family.
• Pet insurance that provides discounts and reimbursements.
• Competitive salaries and benefits including a 401(k), Summer Hours Off (Half-day Fridays and Work Anniversary Trips!)
• Mileage Reimbursement, Phone Allowance, Student Loan Repayment Assistance, CEU’s and ongoing trainings/education.
• Why Work with Us?Exciting Benefits and Opportunities at NYAP!

The Transporter Specialist for La Jornada (The Journey) Program focusing on transitional foster care (TFC), will be responsible for coordinating transportation and physically escorting children who have fled their country of origin and arrived in the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian as they continue their journey to be united with sponsors.

Responsibilities

The Transportation Specialist will perform duties including but not limited to:

• Must be able to travel out of state up to 40%-50% for reunification efforts.
• Performs all work in a manner consistent with the National Youth Advocate Program’s Mission, Values and Philosophies.
• Coordinates transportation including organizing and navigating travel destinations, physically escorts, and supervises youth while in transit to scheduled and emergency appointments. Coordinates medical transport with Charge Nurse. Coordinates clinical transport with clinical staff. Coordinates reunification transport with team.
• Tracks and assigns all doctor appointments via supervisors - attends weekly supervisor meeting.
• Maintains a daily roster of times, dates, destinations, transporters and length of transport.
• Provides documentation of all missed appointments or unusual events to the Management Team.
• Tracks and schedules all group outings weekly via transportation outing schedule.
• Maintains cell phone numbers of staff on transport.
• Ensures daily cleanliness and upkeep of all vehicles assigned to the campus – includes inspecting for cleanliness, damage, proper equipment and safe operation of vehicle.
• Ensures vehicles are properly fueled.
• Maintains security over the vehicles and keys.
• Reports vehicle needs and damage to maintenance and tracks all vehicle issues in regard to repair.
• Maintains notebooks – includes inspecting logs for completion and accuracy.
• Provides safety training to all new hires every three weeks.
• Collects and tracks all safety checklist sheets and provides weekly report.
• The supervision and transport of youth requires prolonged periods of walking and standing and physical agility. May be required to run and climb flights of stairs.
• Must be able to participate in physical interventions with youth when necessary.
• Must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.
• Will be required to complete Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) and CPR training.
• Schedule will vary depending on transport need; flexibility is needed.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience working with at‑risk youth.
• Bilingual English/Spanish fluency is required.
• Excellent time management and organization skills.
• Excellent written and oral skills.
• Applicants are required to pass an agility and strength evaluation.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, automotive insurance, and a good driving record.
• Proficient use of desktop and laptop computers, smartphones and tablets, printers, fax machines, and photocopiers, as well as software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
• Bilingual (English Spanish). Fluency in Spanish is required.
• Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,000/300,000 bodily liability coverage.
• 21 years of age, valid state driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle, and a good driving record.

Other Skills

• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Sensitivity to cultural diversity.
• Enthusiastic self-starter.
• Works well independently and as a team member.
• The qualified candidate will follow a team concept and support agency goals, colleagues and ORR liaisons. Candidate must be able to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, religious, and racial backgrounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity.
• Use of repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting and standing, and sustained visual and mental applications and demands.
• Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), bending, pulling, and carrying.
• Ability to travel frequently and drive vehicle while sitting for extended periods, with frequency varying based on program demands.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who celebrates diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees by prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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Qualifications

Who we are

National Youth Advocate Program has been serving communities and clients since 1978 and we continue to grow each year. Our growth allows us to expand and develop new and innovative programs to meet the ever-changing needs of those we serve. We offer unique and personalized services for families and individuals in four areas: Prevention/Intervention, Positive Youth Development, Out-of-Home-Placement and Reunification/Permanency.

We look for individuals that are ready to make a direct impact and are excited to be an instrument in supporting the needs of our children, youth and families.