Dock Worker/Forklift Operator - 4 AM Start
About The Position
Old Dominion Freight Line is seeking a dedicated, detail-oriented Dockworker to support safe and efficient freight handling at a service center. The role involves loading and unloading freight, ensuring items are placed on the correct trucks, and helping deliver customer shipments accurately and on time. Dockworkers use forklifts, pallet jacks, and manual handling techniques, and secure freight with materials such as airbags, cardboard, straps, and pallets to prevent damage. Safety, teamwork, accuracy, and reliable attendance are important to the role. The position is fast-paced and deadline-oriented, with frequent contact with service center personnel. The posted schedule lists Monday through Friday and an early-morning shift; workdays and shifts may change based on scheduling and business needs. The employee works throughout the service center and in or around trailers and vehicles, encountering varied weather and temperatures, potentially wet or slippery surfaces, changing light levels, and noise and odors. The job requires extensive standing, walking, sitting on and climbing on and off a forklift, frequent bending and squatting, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting freight and equipment. Employees must be able to read and interpret shipping labels and documents, use a handheld tablet and dock yard management system, and remain attentive to equipment, freight, and cross-dock traffic. This is a full-time position. Old Dominion describes its culture as people-first and family-oriented, with a focus on premium service, teamwork, safety, and opportunities for career growth.
Requirements
- High school degree or equivalent.
- Working knowledge of safe and efficient lifting and transporting procedures.
- Working knowledge of procedures related to freight transportation.
- Knowledge of loading techniques, including tight loading and cross loading.
- Familiarity with freight-movement forms, and in some cases the ability to complete them, including shipping orders, city stripping manifests, freight bills, overage/damage movement reports, and exception forms.
- Ability to use the dock yard management system to monitor shipment locations as freight moves through terminals.
- Availability to work as needed to meet customer pickup and delivery schedules.
- Ability to operate a handheld tablet when needed.
- Ability to read, write, and speak English.
- Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including standing, walking, sitting on a forklift, climbing, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and frequently lifting and handling objects weighing up to 100 pounds.
- Ability to work in extremely hot or cold climates and in environments where noise and odors may be present.
- Ability to meet attendance requirements.
Responsibilities
- Load and unload freight on trailers using a motorized forklift, pallet jack, or manual methods in compliance with state and federal DOT guidelines.
- Use loading techniques such as tight loading and cross loading.
- Move throughout the service center while transporting freight or oneself over hard, sometimes wet or slippery surfaces.
- Use the Dock Yard Management System to monitor shipment locations throughout the service center.
- Read and interpret shipping labels and, when needed, complete freight-movement documents and forms.
- Hand-load, rewrap, or stack freight as needed.
- Ensure trailers are loaded with quality and accuracy.
- Secure freight inside trailers using appropriate tools and supplies, such as pallets, straps, and rope.
- Perform assigned duties and tasks necessary to support freight handling and service center operations.
Benefits
- Health benefits, including a zero-premium medical plan for employee-only coverage
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match and additional annual discretionary match opportunity
- Life insurance
- Wellness program
- Tuition reimbursement for drivers and technicians
- Training and growth opportunities
- Promotion-from-within opportunities
- National career opportunities across more than 260 service centers
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
