Volunteer Driver - DAV Transportation Network

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Share your talents and gain meaningful experiences while serving those who have served.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) operates a fleet of vehicles around the country to provide free transportation to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities for injured and ill veterans. DAV stepped in to help veterans get the care they need when the federal government terminated its program that helped many of them pay for transportation to and from medical facilities. The vehicles are driven by volunteers, and the rides are coordinated by Hospital Service Coordinators (HSC) around the country.

The impact the DAV Transportation Network makes on the veteran community cannot be overstated. Many veterans, for a variety of reasons, would not be able to access their much-needed medical appointments without this service. The effect that volunteers who comprise the Transportation Network have on veterans and families in their local communities is tremendous.

DAV Volunteer Drivers play an important part in our efforts to assist injured and ill veterans. They are the front line for the DAV Transportation Network, by driving veterans to and from their VA medical appointments. The DAV Transportation Network is the largest program of its kind for veterans in the nation. Without this program, many veterans may have no way to access their health care.

Duties

Report to the Voluntary Service Department and DAV personnel.

Drive veterans to their healthcare appointments at VA healthcare systems.

Coordinate with veteran passengers on where to meet and the time of their departure to their healthcare appointment.

Return veterans to their original pick-up location after their health care appointment.

Driving Locations

While there are many DAV Transportation Networks all over the Nation including several locations in California (see other DAV Transportation Networks) this specific Volunteer Driver position is for the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) Healthcare system also known as VISN 21, which consists of one hospital and several VA Clinics. The hospital is located in San Francisco.

Currently, VISN 21 has one DAV Transportation vehicle which is based out of Santa Rosa. The vehicle is parked at the South Santa Rosa VA campus on Challenger Way. Drivers depart from the South Santa Rosa VA Clinic campus and their final destination at the end of the day is back to the South Santa Rosa VA Clinic campus.

In addition to driving in the local Sonoma County area, drivers will be required to transport veterans to and from the San Francisco VA Medical Center at 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121.

Requirements

Pass a physical given by a VA Occupational Health provider (no cost).

Have good judgment and the ability to solve problems.

Ability to remain calm under stressful conditions.

Willing to do minor vehicle inspections for safety.

Complete an annual VA-sponsored defensive driving class.

Possess a valid state driver's license and clean driving record.

Possess personal auto liability insurance.

Keep DAV vehicles clean inside and out for comfort.

Volunteer Driver Schedule

The program will be ongoing all throughout the year except weekends and federal holidays.

Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Volunteers may work a maximum of 40 hours per week.

Volunteers may work a minimum of one day per month.

Volunteers may work a minimum of 8 hours per day.

Volunteer Award Incentives - Volunteers that donate their time to DAV become eligible for the Volunteer Recognition Program.

Volunteer Spotlight - College student volunteers in his free time by driving veterans to and from their VA medical appointments.

How to Apply Overview

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health (VHA) Care System is responsible for processing all volunteer onboarding packages. This process can take 1 to 4 months depending on the applicant and the volunteer position.

Go to DAV Sonoma Chapter 48's website to follow the step-by-step process. https://dav48sonoma.org/transportation/

Complete online forms and training.

Download and complete the onboarding forms and submit paper documents to the local VHA Center for Development and Civic Engagement Department (formerly Volunteer Service) in San Francisco by regular mail or the VA internal mail system by dropping off the paperwork at a VA clinic in Santa Rosa.

Complete all volunteer training.

For questions please contact DAV Chapter 48 via email (DAV48Sonomapc@gmail.com) or by phone at 707-595-0324