Instructor - Driver Development

Quality Carriers•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Driver Development Instructor delivers structured, hands-on instruction, professional coaching, and objective performance evaluations for newly licensed CDL holders preparing to operate commercial motor vehicles with cargo tanks and ISO tanks. The instructor develops safe, consistent driving practices that meet Quality Carriers’ operating standards and applicable federal, state, and local requirements. This is a safety-critical role requiring professional conduct, sound judgment, immediate intervention when unsafe conditions arise, and accurate, timely documentation of trainee progress and readiness. The instructor provides standardized classroom and behind-the-wheel training using approved curricula, materials, and performance criteria. Training progresses from basic vehicle handling to complex traffic environments and covers defensive driving, tank-specific vehicle dynamics, safe routes and stopping practices, compliance, and appropriate responses to changing road and weather conditions. The instructor evaluates and documents trainee performance, recommends remedial instruction when needed, and escalates persistent deficiencies through Training and Safety leadership channels. The position is based in Houston, Texas, with travel as needed, and includes work in a professional office, classroom, and outdoors in varying weather conditions around operating commercial vehicles.

Requirements

At least two years of experience operating articulated commercial motor vehicles.
Valid Class A CDL with tank vehicle endorsement.
Strong skills in MS Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access, and Google Apps.
Demonstrated knowledge of CMV inspections, defensive driving, tank vehicle dynamics, and applicable DOT/FMCSA requirements.
Ability to safely demonstrate vehicle operations and translate technical tasks into clear, practical instruction.
Strong interpersonal communication, coaching, observation, evaluation, documentation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to recognize unsafe behaviors, intervene promptly, and communicate performance concerns professionally and objectively.
Commitment to standardized instruction, continuous professional development, and Quality Carriers’ safety culture.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including frequent lifting, carrying, and pulling of equipment up to 50 pounds as required; entering and exiting commercial vehicles safely; and performing instruction and observation outdoors in varying weather.

Nice To Haves

Experience hauling cargo tanks and/or ISO tanks.

Responsibilities

Deliver standardized, progressive instruction using approved Quality Carriers curricula, training materials, and performance criteria.
Demonstrate critical tasks, supervise practical application, and assess trainee understanding and performance through observation and repeatable evaluations.
Provide timely, specific, respectful coaching; identify unsafe habits, knowledge gaps, and deficiencies; and recommend targeted remedial training.
Maintain complete, factual, timely training records covering demonstrated skills, deficiencies, corrective instruction, reassessments, and readiness recommendations.
Escalate persistent deficiencies, unsafe conduct, and training concerns through designated Training and Safety leadership channels; do not represent an unqualified trainee as ready for independent operation.
Promote professionalism, accountability, communication, situational awareness, and compliance with company policies during training.
Provide supervised behind-the-wheel instruction in approved CMVs and cargo/ISO tank combinations, progressing from basic handling to complex traffic environments.
Teach vehicle-control and traffic skills including steering, acceleration, braking, lane positioning, turning, backing as applicable, merging, passing, highway entry and exit, and intersection navigation.
Teach defensive driving, visual scanning, hazard anticipation, following distance, speed and space management, and responses to changing traffic conditions.
Reinforce safe operation through curves, grades, construction zones, railroad crossings, congested areas, and adverse weather or reduced visibility.
Teach tank-specific dynamics, including elevated center of gravity, liquid surge, weight transfer, rollover exposure, extended stopping distances, and risks from abrupt steering or braking.
Coach route judgment, safe stopping and parking, awareness of clearance and turning limitations, and protection of the public and surrounding property.
Teach and emphasize prompt reporting of accidents, injuries, incidents, near misses, defects, and safety concerns to SKYTANK.
Reinforce applicable DOT/FMCSA requirements, state and local traffic laws, and Quality Carriers’ operating procedures within the assigned curriculum.
Apply Stop Work Authority and immediately suspend an exercise or operation when unsafe conditions, equipment defects, or unacceptable trainee actions present a risk.
Model correct PPE use, three points of contact, safe positioning, and safe equipment access.
Coordinate with Training, Safety, and operational leadership to maintain consistent expectations, address recurring skill gaps, and improve training effectiveness.
Travel as needed.