Certification Liaison

We are seeking a Certification Liaison to support the eligibility process for NJ TRANSIT's Access Link paratransit program.

In this role, you will interview prospective riders, evaluate transportation barriers, research accessible transit options and help determine ADA paratransit eligibility based on established criteria.

This position combines interviewing, research, documentation, sound judgment and knowledge of public transportation. You will work directly with NJ TRANSIT's Accessibility Team and play an important role in ensuring eligibility decisions are accurate, consistent and based on each applicant's individual circumstances.

This position requires extensive travel throughout New Jersey. Candidates must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

What You'll Do

• Interview prospective Access Link riders to gather information needed for the certification process.
• Assess an applicant's ability to access and use available fixed-route public transportation.
• Identify physical, environmental, cognitive or other disability-related transportation barriers affecting an individual's ability to travel.
• Research accessible transportation options based on an applicant's residence, travel needs and available NJ TRANSIT service.
• Review application and interview information and apply established ADA eligibility criteria.
• Document assessment findings clearly and accurately.
• Work directly with NJ TRANSIT's Accessibility Team on certification cases, questions and eligibility information.
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with applicants with a wide range of abilities and transportation needs.
• Perform quality assurance reviews to support accuracy and consistency in the certification process.
• Maintain accurate records and complete required computer-based documentation.
• Travel extensively throughout New Jersey as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

Required

• College degree.
• Knowledge of public transportation.
• Strong computer skills.
• Valid driver's license.
• Reliable personal vehicle or transportation for required business travel.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout New Jersey.

Additional Skills That Will Help You Succeed

• Strong interviewing and active-listening skills.
• Ability to gather detailed information and evaluate individual circumstances objectively.
• Strong written communication and documentation skills.
• Good judgment and attention to detail.
• Ability to research routes, transportation options and accessibility information.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple cases.
• Professional communication skills when working with applicants, internal teams and NJ TRANSIT representatives.

About the Role

The Certification Liaison helps determine whether an applicant meets the eligibility requirements for NJ TRANSIT's Access Link ADA paratransit service.

Rather than focusing only on an individual's diagnosis, the certification process evaluates how a disability or functional limitation affects the person's ability to independently use available fixed-route public transportation.

This may include evaluating an individual's ability to:

• Get to and from a bus stop or rail station.
• Navigate the public transportation system.
• Board and exit accessible vehicles.
• Complete specific trips using available fixed-route service.
• Overcome environmental or accessibility barriers that may affect travel.

The role requires someone who can combine empathy, objectivity, attention to detail and sound decision-making while following established ADA and NJ TRANSIT guidelines.

Travel Requirements

This position involves extensive travel throughout the State of New Jersey. Employees must maintain a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation available for required travel.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time. This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Language Requirement
This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia's Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.

About us
An industry leader famous for our yellow school buses and service and safety excellence, we’ve provided student transportation services to schools for over 100 years. Continually investing in the services of the future, we’re proud to be part of FirstGroup America – the largest provider of safe, reliable and sustainable surface passenger transportation services in North America.

Industry leader
We safely operate more than one third of all contracted school buses in North America.
Together our 50,000 school buses travel nearly 600 million miles per year — the equivalent of 1,200 round trips to the moon.
We operate in around 550 locations throughout 38 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces.

Innovation
We were the first school bus company to utilize global positioning systems (GPS), so at any one time we know where all of our buses are and how fast they’re travelling.
Passionate about safety, we’ve installed Safety Crossing Gates on the front of all of our school buses and use the Child Check-MateTM electronic reminder system to make sure no sleeping children remain inside a bus at the end of each route.

Awards & recognition
We won the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award from the National Safety Council two years in a row.
Dedicated to safety, FirstGroup received the National Safety Council’s (NSC) Green Cross for Safety Medal - the highest award for safety in North America.

Teamwork and trust
It takes a diverse team of skilled professionals to provide a safe, effective and efficient student transportation system. From our school bus drivers and location managers to routers, dispatchers and fleet technician mechanics, the work we do every day makes a big impact on the daily lives of students, parents, local communities and school district partners.

We’re very proud of our elite team of over 55,000 dedicated, caring and diverse professionals. And they are the #1 reason we’re trusted by over 1,400 school districts - more than any other provider. Everybody here plays their part in creating a positive school bus experience.

Our culture
We live and breathe our vision and values. They are embedded in our culture and drive our commitment to our customers and communities. Our culture fosters growth and promotes respect, reliability, responsibility and safety. And we recruit people who share these values and will work together to build strong and trusting partnerships in the communities we serve.

Safety – Although our safety record is twice as safe as the industry average, we continually seek out opportunities to enhance our operational and safety initiatives.
Learning – Through our learning culture that spans over 550 locations, we receive and share insight from our people to enhance our service now and in the future.
Making a difference - By doing our job well, we make a positive impact on many lives – including the millions of students who travel with us every school day.
Careers for all – We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Employer of Choice.
By consistently encouraging and supporting an open dialogue with our people and partners, we’re able to share new ideas and develop new ways to meet the needs of our customers and passengers. At First Student, you’ll feel empowered to serve your community. So join the team and start to make a difference.