Employment

Driver Job Guidelines

Company Policy

Position Objective: To transport and deliver freight by driving diesel-powered, tractor-trailer combinations long distances and locally.

Duties:

• Hook and unhook trailers form the tractor.
• Load and unload trailer, either individually or with assistance of dock workers, with or without mechanical freight-handling equipment.
• Perform lifting, pulling, pushing, and carrying of freight.
• Inspect truck for defects and safe operating condition before, during, and after trips.
• Submit a written report on the condition of the truck at the end of each trip or tour of duty.
• Check shipping papers to determine B/L destination, weight, the nature of load and to check for the presence of hazardous materials.
• When hazardous materials are present:
  • check for proper preparation of shipping papers;
  • check for agreement between information on shipping papers and marking and labeling on freight;
  • check for shipper certification and signature;
  • as certain that vehicle is properly placarded.
• Drive truck to destination in accordance with Federal Regulations, normally in periods of up to 10 hours of driving followed by an off-duty period of at least 8 consecutive hours.
• Install and remove tire chains as required by weather conditions.
• Apply knowledge of commercial driving skills in maneuvering vehicle at varying speeds in difficult situations, such as heavy traffic, inclement weather, or in tight loading areas. 

Eligibility Requirements

1. Must possess a valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License from state of residence.
2. MUST HAVE TWO-YEARS VERIFIABLE TRACTOR-TRAILER DRIVING EXPERIENCE.
3. MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 25-YEARS OLD.
4. Must have the ability to speak, read, write English, and perform simple mathematical calculations with mental ability to handle receipts, read maps, road signs, maintain logs, etc.
5. Must have working knowledge of vehicle safety and control systems.
6. Must have knowledge of DOT regulations governing safe driving, hours of service, inspection and maintenance, transportation of all freight materials, and weight/permit requirements.
7. Must be available for around the clock trips to accommodate freight movements.
8. Must meet or exceed the medical standards of the US Department of Transportation.
9. Must satisfactorily pass a drug test, functional capacity test, and an electrocardiogram (over 35 years of age).

Physical Requirements

1. Must be able to sit and remain alert while driving for an aggregate period of up to 10 hours.
2. Must be able to shift manual transmission and operate foot pedals.
3. Must be able to perform occasional crouching and squatting to handle and position freight.
4. Must be able to enter and exit the vehicle’s cab 8 to 10 timers per day.  Cab floor level is generally from 36 to 66 inches above ground level, with entry and exit achieved with the assistance of various configurations of steps and handholds; also requires bending, climbing, and balancing.
5. Must be able to perform occasional pushing or pulling of freight, weighing up to 75 pounds with or without mechanical aid.
6. Must be able to occasionally perform carrying of freight, weighing from 1 pound to 75 pounds of varying size and shapes, a distance of at least 1 foot but no more than 50 feet.
7. Must be able to occasionally reach for freight below waist level, at waist level, and above shoulder height.
8. Must be able to occasionally load and unload full trailers of freight weighing as much as 45,000 pounds.  This could involve moving 75 pound containers to and from floor level to carts, stacks, conveyors, or platforms over four feet high, balancing 500 pound drums on their rims and rolling them into positions, or stowing carts or other merchandise overhead that weigh as much as 75 pounds each.  This activity could proceed or follow as much as 10 hours of driving.
9. Must be able to lift tire carcass onto deck plate or into trailer.
10. Must be able to install and remove tire chains when required due to inclement weather.
11. Must be able to spend at least 3% of the day standing and 5% of the day walking on surfaces such as concrete, wood and metal, and sometimes on slippery and wet surfaces.
12. Must be able to hook/unhook various commercial vehicle combinations, manually lower and raise landing gear, operate the fifth wheel release lever, open and close trailer doors, climb in and out of all equipment, fuel vehicles, and check engine oil and coolant levels.
13. Ensure that all shipping documentation (i.e. manifest, bills of lading, shipping orders or freight bills, seals, etc.) required to move with shipments is available for inspection and that appropriate paperwork accompanies shipment when delivered.
14. Maintain records required for compliance with State and Federal Regulations, including driver’s logs, records of fuel purchases, mileage records, and other records required by law.
15. Perform all duties in accordance with company policy and procedures, and comply with all Federal, State, and Local Regulations for the safe operation of a commercial vehicle.
16. Report all accidents involving driver or Company equipment immediately.
17. Report highway safety hazards noted en-route.
18. Promptly report any delays due to breakdowns, weather or traffic conditions, or other emergencies, or in the event of irregularities related to pickup or delivery of cargo.
19. PERSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES MUST REVEAL ANY AND ALL HEALTH LIMITATIONS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THEM IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS.  FAILURE TO DISCLOSE PHYSICAL/HEALTH LIMITATIONS IS GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE TERMINATION.

Accountabilities

• Safe and legal operation of a commercial vehicle.
• Safe and timely transportation of freight from origin to destination.
• Proper loading and unloading of freight to assure safety and minimal risk of damage to cargo and danger to persons.
• Professional representation of the Company and the trucking industry through responsible driving. 

Work Environment

a)     Drivers may spend 10% to 15% of time out-of-doors, exposed to potentially difficult environmental conditions.

b)     Drivers may be subject to irregular work schedules, temperature and weather extremes, long trips, short notice for assignment of a trip, tight delivery schedules, delays en-route, and other stresses and fatigue related to driving a large commercial motor vehicle on crowded streets and highways in all kinds of weather.

c)     Drivers typically spend 80% to 90% of on duty time in the truck.  While driving, operators are exposed to noise and vibration levels which may be higher than those typically experienced in a passenger vehicle.

STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS JOB DESCRIPTION DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, DUTIES, REQUIREMENTS, EFFORT, OR WORKING CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB OR REQUIRE THAT OTHER OR DIFFERENT TASKS BE PERFORMED AS CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE.