Driver Trainer

Gold Medal Environmental - Apple Valley Waste Inc•Manassas Park, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Designated Driver Trainer (DDT) is a field-based role within the Safety organization responsible for training, evaluating, and certifying drivers to operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company and regulatory standards. This role serves as an independent training and safety authority, ensuring consistent driver capability across the organization. The DDT partners closely with Operations leadership but does not own route execution or driver performance management. Instead, the role is focused on building driver capability, reinforcing safe behaviors, and ensuring readiness for safe operation. Through hands-on training, observation, and coaching, the DDT plays a critical role in reducing safety incidents, improving driver readiness, and standardizing driver training practices across all locations.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Valid Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with air brake endorsement
5–10 years of commercial driving experience
Demonstrated experience in training, coaching, or mentoring others
Strong working knowledge of DOT regulations and safe driving practices
Ability to operate both manual and automatic transmissions
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to influence without direct authority across functions
Successful completion of pre-employment screening, including drug screen and physical

Nice To Haves

Experience in the waste or recycling industry
Prior experience as a driver trainer, safety trainer, or lead driver
Roll-off or multiple line-of-business experience
Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Experience with Smith System or similar defensive driving programs
FLEET Driver Trainer certification

Responsibilities

Deliver hands-on, on-the-job training for new drivers, including vehicle operation, defensive driving, route execution fundamentals, and technology usage (e.g., tablets/OBU systems)
Conduct ride-alongs and field observations to assess driver capability and adherence to safety standards
Provide real-time, constructive feedback to reinforce proper driving behaviors and correct performance gaps
Deliver targeted retraining for drivers:
Transitioning to new routes or lines of business
Identified with safety or performance concerns
Reinforce company safety standards, Life Critical Rules, and regulatory requirements (DOT, OSHA, etc.)
Evaluate driver readiness and capability to safely operate assigned vehicles
Provide objective input to Operations leadership regarding driver readiness for independent route assignment
Support driver assessments, including pre- and post-hire evaluations where applicable
Maintain consistency and objectivity in training and evaluation standards across locations
Act as an extension of the Safety (EHS) function in the field, reinforcing a culture of safety and compliance
Identify unsafe behaviors, trends, and systemic risks observed during training and field engagement
Partner with Safety and Operations leadership to address root causes and implement corrective actions
Ensure alignment with all company safety programs, policies, and regulatory requirements
Track and document driver training progress, including strengths, development areas, and follow-up actions
Communicate driver readiness and training outcomes to Route Managers and Operations leadership
Identify trends in driver performance, onboarding effectiveness, and safety risks
Provide data-driven insights to support continuous improvement
Support the development and continuous improvement of driver training materials, tools, and processes
Help standardize training delivery, evaluation criteria, and expectations across all locations
Recommend enhancements to improve training effectiveness, reduce incidents, and accelerate driver readiness
Serve as a field advocate for safety culture and consistent operational practices