Downtown Streets Team (DST) is looking for a passionate and outgoing Part Time Driver in Santa Cruz to help us end homelessness in California!
DST works with unhoused individuals to rebuild their lives, restore their dignity, and end homelessness. Joining DST is the opportunity to help a vulnerable population and work towards creating stronger communities. DST has been serving unhoused neighbors since 2015. Our growing nonprofit operates in 16 California communities.

The Nonprofit Times calls Downtown Streets Team one of the best nonprofits to work for. Our innovative model of social action has been recognized as one of five Evidence-Based Practices in California in 2018. We offer meaningful work alongside compassionate and talented colleagues as well as competitive benefits & salaries. We encourage collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning.
Joining Downtown Streets Team is the opportunity to help a vulnerable population and work towards creating a better, stronger community and city. DST is dynamic, growing, encourages collaboration, creativity and continuous learning. Come take on meaningful work alongside compassionated and talented colleagues!

What we do…
Downtown Streets Team builds Teams that restore dignity, inspire hope, and provide a pathway to recover from homelessness. We remove the barriers that stand in an individual’s way to exit homelessness and welcome them into a community built on the celebration of success.

What you’ll do…
We are looking for a Part Time Driver who works independently as well as coordinates with staff to assist the work teams with fulfilling contract obligations in Santa Cruz. Shifts would be during normal business hours up for up to 20 hours a week, weekend shifts on occasion.

CONDITIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT:

• Valid California Driver's license and clean driving record.
• Effectively maneuver multiple type work vehicles with trailer attachment, if necessary
• Ability to lift items up to 30 lbs

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operate and manage the use of multiple work vehicles
• Effectively maneuver work vehicles with trailer attachment, if necessary
• Pick-up and deliver Team Members at the start and end of volunteer shifts
• Patrol and pick-up illegally dumped items in the designated project areas

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Patrol and pick-up debris from the work experience contracts
• Dispose of debris and dumped items at their designated yards
• Assist Team Members in move-in and move-outs
• Manage and recruit rotating volunteer assistants
• Track and maintain logs of debris and dumped items removed from the project area
• Fill up vehicle with gas
• Support in the preparation and maintenance of program documentation, reports, and impact metrics
• Maintain regular and effective communication with management and other staff regarding project goals, potential partnerships, projects, and new ideas
• Maintain Team culture and accountability by working through issues in a respectful, compassionate, yet firm and assertive manner
• Utilize “Ladder of Success” and peer-to-peer model to ensure that the work experience program runs effectively with minimal staff presence
• Establish productive relationships with each and every Team Member, and prospective Team Member, with no bias or prejudice towards race, religion, age, sex, disability, or sexual preference
• Act as liaison to the greater community; represent the team – its outcomes, its model, its mission - to all existing and potential partners including local government agencies, other social service providers, community-based groups, private businesses, possible funders, and other stakeholders

REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILL AND EXPERIENCE:

• CA Driver’s license and a clean driving record
• HS Diploma or equivalent
• Ability to perform job duties with minimal supervision
• Excellent listening comprehension, written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in Microsoft programs
• Using personal computer, keyboard, mouse and monitor
• Observation and problem solving; hearing, seeing, reasoning and decision making
• Basic mathematical ability
• Ability to work nights and weekends, as needed

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following:

• Sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling and lifting (up to 30 lbs.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Subject to outdoor environment while moving in and out of a vehicle.
• Work environment and physical location may vary, depending on the space available and the needs of the community and the program.

We thrive as an organization when unique identities, experiences & perspectives are represented; when our culture is inclusive through a commitment to equitably offer everyone what they need to succeed; when our practices inside the company reflect differences that are celebrated and everyone is valued, respected with the ability to reach their full potential.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Downtown Streets Team does have a vaccination policy that requires employees to prove that they have received the COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.