At Old Dominion, we don't just move freight—we help businesses keep their promises. As one of the nation's leading LTL carriers, we've earned our reputation by putting people first, delivering premium service, and staying true to the values that have guided us for more than 90 years. Our PROMISES values shape how we work, our family culture shapes how we treat one another, and our commitment to being the Best in the Game drives everything we do. If you're looking for more than just a job, you'll find a career built on trust, teamwork, and opportunity at OD.
Join Old Dominion Freight Line as a Switcher Tractor Operator, where you'll drive efficiency by moving trailers between staging areas and loading docks. You'll assist with loading/unloading, stay connected with dispatch, perform daily maintenance, and ensure smooth trailer operations. If you're detail-oriented, thrive in fast-paced settings, and enjoy hands-on work, this role is for you!
Job Summary
Responsible for operating switcher tractors to move trailers to and from staging areas and loading/unloading docks.
Primary Responsibilities
- 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 up 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 guideline 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 minimum of 20% of scheduled hours each work week spent loading freight onto trailers
- This is not an all-inclusive list of job responsibilities and duties. Employees are expected and must be able to perform all duties and tasks as assigned.
Job Qualifications
Education:
- High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
Experience:
- Must have the ability to read, write, 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
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- (Standing/Walking) Must be able to withstand regular standing while hooking up the truck to the trailers repeatedly for a minimum of 8 Hours/shift, 5-7 days per week. Must be able to walk frequently throughout the work shift back and forth between the truck and the trailers, walking to close doors, and walking in and out of trailers. Must be able to stand and walk on unforgiving surfaces such as concrete, pavement, wood and metal sometimes on slippery and wet surfaces.
- (Sitting) 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.
- (Bending/Stooping/Kneeling) Must be able to perform frequent bending and squatting to handle, position, and secure freight. Must be able to perform frequent and occasional bending and kneeling and squatting to place tags on trailers and hooking up the truck to the trailer as well as while performing inspections.
- (Climbing) Must be able to enter and exit the vehicle's cab many times a day. Cab floor level is generally 36 to 66 inches above ground level, with entry and exit achieved with the assistance of various configurations of steps and hand holds; also requires occasional bending, twisting, climbing, squatting, crouching and balancing. Must be able to get onto and off of the forklift throughout the day, must be able to climb about and move about easily in small spaces to adjust freight.
- (Moving Materials) Must be able to load and unload full trailers of freight weighing as much as 100 lbs. This could involve for example moving 100lb containers to and from floor level to carts, stacks or platforms over 4 feet high, balancing 300 lb. drums on their rims and rolling them into positions or stowing cartons or other merchandise overhead that weigh as much as 100 lbs. each.
- (Pushing/Pulling) 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 also be able to push and pull forklift blades, forklift gas tanks, deck bars, and other freight related items.
- (Hearing/Speaking) Must be able to hearing the horns of other forklifts and shouted instructions and warnings.
- (Reaching) 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.
- (Lifting) 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.
- (Other) 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 clip boards, 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
- 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.
- Must be able to read, write and speak English.
- Attendance is a requirement.
Work Environment
The work environment described below represents those that an employee would encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job.
While performing the duties of the job, the employees will be exposed to various work environments which may include working with or around others while loading and unloading, working in an enclosed vehicle while driving, loading and unloading in an enclosed trailer, exposure to all weather conditions, noise levels that vary from quiet to loud and with lighting conditions that could be extremely bright or low light.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.
Working Days:
Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday,
Working Shift:
Overnight
Work days/shifts may change based on scheduling and business needs and are provided as guidelines at the time of posting.
Compensation Range:
The referenced salary range is based on the Company's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level, and state/local wage requirements.
$20.50 - $34.85
Join the OD Family Today!
As a Full Time member of our Family, you and your family are eligible to receive:
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
We prioritize our OD family of employees
Ability to advance through our promote from within philosophy
National Career Opportunities Available at our 260+ service centers
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, and/or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military status, Vietnam Era and/or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law(s).
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