Switcher

Old Dominion Freight Line • West Sacramento, CA

8d • $19 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

Old Dominion Freight Line is seeking a Switcher Tractor Operator to drive efficiency by moving trailers between staging areas and loading docks. This role involves assisting with loading/unloading, staying connected with dispatch, performing daily maintenance, and ensuring smooth trailer operations. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, thrives in fast-paced settings, and enjoys hands-on work.

Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Experience driving a tractor trailer.
• Experience in using handheld computers/scanners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to follow instructions and take directions via two-way radio or by phone.
• Must have working knowledge of vehicle safety and control systems.
• Must satisfactorily pass a drug test.
• Must satisfactorily pass an alcohol test (if applicable).
• Must be detail-oriented.
• Must be able to withstand regular standing for a minimum of 8 hours/shift, 5-7 days per week.
• Must be able to walk frequently throughout the work shift.
• Must be able to sit and remain alert while driving trailers in the service center yard for an aggregate period of up to 10 hours as well as in forklifts to load/unload freight.
• Must be able to sit on a forklift up to 8 hours/shift, 5-7 days per week.
• Must be able to perform frequent bending and squatting to handle, position, and secure freight.
• Must be able to perform frequent and occasional bending, kneeling, and squatting to place tags on trailers and hooking up the truck to the trailer as well as while performing inspections.
• Must be able to enter and exit the vehicle's cab many times a day.
• Must be able to get onto and off of the forklift throughout the day.
• Must be able to load and unload full trailers of freight weighing as much as 100 lbs.
• Must be able to perform frequent pulling and pushing of freight, weighing up to 200lbs, with or without the help of freight pulling equipment.
• Must be able to push and pull forklift blades, forklift gas tanks, deck bars, and other freight-related items.
• Must be able to hear the horns of other forklifts and shouted instructions and warnings.
• Must be able to frequently reach for freight at waist level and occasionally reach for freight above shoulder height or below waist level.
• Must be able to occasionally reach above shoulder level, at waist level and below waist level for maneuvering and directing the controls to operate the truck.
• May occasionally need to lift objects weighing in excess of 100 lbs. using OSHA guidelines and lifting techniques.
• Must be able to frequently lift open trailer doors, trash bags during inspection, straps and other freight-related materials.
• Must be able to install and remove tire chains when required due to inclement weather.
• Must be able to use right, left or both hands to get in and out of truck, wrapping and unwrapping shrink wrap, securing and unsecuring pallets, using pallet jack or hand truck, using the steering wheel, buttons on lift gates, etc.
• Must be able to grip with right, left or both hands to use handles to get in and out of the truck, holding tablet, using pallet jacks or hand trucks, holding the steering wheel, securing straps, cardboard, airbags, etc.
• Must be able to pinch fingers on the right, left or both hands to shrink wrap, secure and unsecure straps, utilize clipboards, utilize tablets, etc.
• Must be able to hook/unhook various commercial vehicle combinations, manually lower and raise landing gear, operate the fifth wheel release lever, lock and release pintle-hooks, attach and release safety chains, open and close cargo doors, climb into and out of vehicles, fuel vehicles and check engine oil and coolant levels.
• Must be able to use cognitive skills for: paying attention to surroundings, including traffic, truck inspections, freight, gates, etc. long-term and short-term memory for inspecting areas, breaking down pallets, carrying products, driving in traffic and for safety logic and reasoning in reading manifests, tablets, navigation, road signs, reading boxes and order numbers.
• Must be able to use auditory and visual processing to inspect trucks, driving, reading, listening for horns and/or other traffic and speaking with customers.
• Must be able to see parts and controls in and on the switcher tractor and forklift mechanical equipment for pre and post inspections.
• Must be able to see and read bills of lading, tablets for yard management systems, and read printed materials.
• Must be able to see and scan areas of work for debris and defects.
• Must be able to shift manual transmission and operate foot pedals.
• Must satisfactorily pass any physical testing requirements which is consistent with the job requirements discussed above.
• Attendance is a requirement.

Nice To Haves

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate switcher tractors to move trailers to and from staging areas and loading/unloading docks.
• Back trailer to loading docks, open bay doors and assist dock workers in loading/unloading trailers.
• Maintain contact with dispatcher to receive delivery or pickup instructions or to receive notice of changes.
• Perform daily maintenance checks on the switcher unit and report any malfunctions to the maintenance shop.
• Fuel the switcher tractor at the end of each shift.
• Couple and uncouple tractor-trailer units and connect/disconnect brake lines as needed.
• Secure all equipment and complete all necessary paperwork at the end of the shift.
• Work on the dock either daily or at least one full day each week as assigned by management.
• Follow all safety policies and procedures at all times.
• Follow all operating procedures and safety guidelines at all times.
• Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.
• Perform dock operations duties as directed, with a minimum of 20% of scheduled hours each work week spent loading freight onto trailers.

Benefits

• Great Health Benefits including a Zero premium medical plan for employee only coverage
• Vision & Dental
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Flex Spending Accounts
• 401k Retirement plan with company match and additional company annual discretionary match opportunity
• Life Insurance
• Wellness Program
• 15 Days Paid Time Off (includes vacation and state Sick Leave)
• 9 Paid Holidays including a birthday holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement for Drivers and Technicians
• Training and growth opportunities to build a career
• Ability to advance through our promote from within philosophy
• National Career Opportunities Available at our 260+ service centers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED