Driver

HopeWest; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pay starting at $19.07–$21.10/hour

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

PTO and medical leave accrual

FAMLI program

403B retirement matching

Life insurance and EAP

Bilingual pay

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

HopeWest in Grand Junction, CO seeks a compassionate Driver for Participant Transportation to transport participants to appointments and activities, assist with entering/exiting vehicles, and ensure safety and comfort during journeys.

The role requires a valid Colorado driver’s license and at least 2 years of passenger-vehicle driving experience, with experience serving older adults. We offer competitive pay, health benefits, PTO, FAMLI leave, retirement options, and potential bilingual pay.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license through employment.
• Minimum 2 years of passenger-vehicle driving experience.
• Experience transporting older adults, mobility devices, or medical transport preferred.
• Must meet HopeWest insurance carrier age requirements.
• Ability to obtain PASS certification.
• Ability to obtain CPR certification.
• Defensive driving certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Safely transport participants to appointments, activities, and destinations.
• Assist participants with entering and exiting vehicles, including mobility devices.
• Secure passengers with seat belts, wheelchair restraints, and safety equipment.
• Follow transportation schedules and routes; adapt to traffic and participant needs.
• Communicate route changes and concerns with schedulers and supervisors.
• Conduct vehicle inspections and maintain transportation logs.
• Clean and disinfect vehicles per procedures.
• Report vehicle concerns, incidents, or safety issues promptly.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Mobility equipment handling

Basic computer skills

Relationship building

Calm under pressure

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Make a Difference Every Day

At HopeWest, our drivers do more than provide transportation—they help connect older adults to the care, services, and support they need to live well. We are seeking a compassionate, reliable, and safety-focused Driver to transport participants to and from appointments and activities while providing exceptional customer service and support.

Driver – Participant Transportation

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

What is PACE?

PACE or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly is a federal and state funded program that provides comprehensive, coordinated, and proactive whole-person care to help maintain and improve seniors' health so they can live safely in their homes. There are 188 PACE programs, serving more than 86,000 participants in 33 states and the District of Columbia.

What You'll Do

As a Driver, you'll play an important role in ensuring participants arrive safely, comfortably, and on time.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely transport participants to scheduled appointments, activities, and destinations.
• Assist participants with entering and exiting vehicles, including those using wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and other mobility devices.
• Ensure passengers are properly secured using seatbelts, wheelchair restraints, and safety equipment.
• Follow established transportation schedules and routes while adapting to traffic, weather, and participant needs.
• Communicate route changes, delays, and participant concerns with schedulers and supervisors.
• Conduct required vehicle inspections and maintain accurate transportation logs.
• Clean and disinfect vehicles according to established procedures.
• Report vehicle concerns, incidents, accidents, or safety issues promptly.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Colorado driver's license maintained throughout employment.
• Minimum of 2 years experience driving passenger vehicles required.
• Experience transporting older adults, individuals using mobility devices, or medical transport highly preferred.
• Must meet HopeWest's motor vehicle insurance requirements, including minimum age requirement as determined by the insurance carrier.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Passenger Service and Safety (PASS) certification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CPR certification.
• Defensive driving certification highly preferred.

Skills for Success

• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and safety-focused in changing situations.
• Experience working with mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to build positive relationships with participants, families, and team members.

Why Join HopeWest?

• Pay structure starting at $19.07-$21.10 per hour, depending on experience.
• Cigna Health, Dental, and Vision insurance effective the month following start date.
• Immediately start accruing PTO and medical leave.
• Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program.
• 15% discount at Spoons Bistro & Bakery, and Heirlooms locations.
• Up to 3% match on 403B retirement.
• Employer paid life insurance and Employee Assistance Program.
• Additional pay for bilingual fluency.
• Tuition reimbursement program

At HopeWest, every team member contributes to our mission of providing compassionate care and support. We offer a meaningful opportunity to serve our community while working alongside a dedicated and caring team.

If you enjoy helping others, value safety, and want to make a positive impact every day, we'd love to hear from you.

This position will remain open until filled.