About Achieva
Achieva is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities and their families across the lifespan. Our mission is to advocate with, empower, and support people with disabilities to lead lives of personal significance through community inclusion, equity, and opportunity.
About the position
Responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of Achieva’s innovative On-Demand Transportation Initiative for people with disabilities. This position will assess current transportation challenges, pilot an on-demand transportation service, and support systems advocacy efforts for improvements in publicly funded transportation services as they pertain to on-demand transportation. The Transportation Program Manager will collaborate with community partners, develop processes and procedures to model on-demand transportation, evaluate pilot data, and support public policy efforts to ensure equitable access to reliable, affordable, and flexible transportation that supports employment, community participation, independence, and inclusion for people with disabilities. Reports to the Senior Vice President of Achieva Support.
Our Core Values are intertwined in all we do to support people. These values are:
- Respect: Value and celebrate everyone.
- Passion: Be dedicated to Achieva’s mission and vision.
- Ethics: Infuse integrity, quality, and best practices in everything we do.
- Change: Embrace and drive innovation toward inclusive person-centered practices.
- Team: Inspire, challenge, and support each other.
If you have a shared vision to empower people with disabilities to lead lives of personal significance, want to apply your keen skills to a rewarding opportunity, and our values resonate with you, we invite you to apply. For more information about Achieva, see www.achieva.info.
Responsibilities
- Supports the achievement of individuals' personal outcomes.
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of the transportation needs of people with disabilities within Achieva’s service area.
- Identify, inventory, and evaluate the availability, affordability, and accessibility of current public and private transportation services.
- Assess availability, user-friendliness, and administrative ease of public funding streams for on-demand transportation, including but not limited to home and community-based service programs funded by Medicaid (e.g., “waivers”, Community HealthChoices, etc, county “base” funding, public transit, vocational rehabilitation, Shared Ride, etc.).
- Design and implement a pilot program to test innovative on-demand transportation models (e.g., partnerships with ride-share services, accessible on-demand vehicle solutions, Achieva-operated reimbursement for on-demand transportation, or transportation tech platforms, etc.).
- Monitor pilot performance, including user satisfaction, accessibility, reliability, timeliness, user destinations and/or ride purposes, and cost-effectiveness.
- Collect and analyze transportation data and user feedback to inform service improvement and broader systems change.
- Collaborate with stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities, families, advocacy organizations, transportation providers, and policymakers.
- Develop reports, briefs, and presentations summarizing findings and making actionable recommendations.
- Support systems advocacy efforts for improvements in publicly funded transportation systems that promote on-demand transportation for people with disabilities, including reducing administrative burdens, expanding service areas, increasing accessibility, and simplifying payment systems; collaborate with Achieva’s affiliate, The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, in these efforts.
- Participate in local and statewide coalitions and workgroups focused on disability rights and transportation equity.
- Support Achieva’s broader mission of inclusion by increasing access to employment, education, recreation, and community life for people with disabilities through greater access to on-demand transportation.
- Assist with fundraising and grant writing efforts to support ongoing on-demand transportation innovation and evaluation.
- Serves on various agency committees as needed, including the Safety Committee.
- Perform other related duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree in public policy, human services, social work, urban planning, transportation management, disability studies, or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred. They should have at least two years of professional experience in transportation, disability services, public policy, disability program development, Medicaid, systems advocacy, or a combination thereof. A demonstrated understanding of the transportation barriers faced by people with disabilities is essential. Experience in pilot program design, data collection, and evaluation is preferred. Candidates must possess strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, as well as familiarity with transportation systems, funding mechanisms such as Medicaid HCBS waivers, and policy advocacy. Proficiency in project management, data analysis, and reporting tools is also required. A valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and a properly insured vehicle are necessary for the role. Act 33/34 clearances and an FBI background check are required. The position may involve some local travel and occasional evening or weekend work.
Working Environment:
- Full-time position, hybrid (2 days a week remote, 3 days in office).
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development opportunities
Salary Information: $58,000
Achieva is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Achieva is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Human Resources Department, 412-995-5000 ext 650.
