MightyRecruiterTractor-trailer truck drivers are often expected to operate heavy vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds. Drivers can either work alone or in pairs as they take cross-country routes. A tractor-trailer truck driver may also be expected to record his or her hours, clean the truck, report mechanical errors and follow safety guidelines.
It is important your tractor-trailer truck driver job description explains the skills you expect candidates to have. Good hand-eye coordination, for example, allows drivers to react quickly to the actions of others on the road.
Even a truck driver’s health is important. Federal regulations dictate someone operating a tractor-trailer truck not have a medical condition that could affect his or her ability to drive. The eye sight and hearing of a truck driver is also important. Review the tractor-trailer truck driver job description template below to better understand what your own write-up should include.
Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver Job Summary
Do you love hitting the road as much as you love helping customers? As a tractor-trailer truck driver at our national logistics company, you will be a vital part of our team dedicated to ensuring reliable delivery of our customer’s goods. You will have the opportunity to do more than simply drive your truck from point A to point B. Practice your heightened attention to detail to ensure your cargo and truck are in tip-top shape, keep logs of your experiences on the road and get to know customers when acting as our representative at drop-off points. This position is perfect for you if you can work on schedule on your own as you travel across the country.
Job Responsibilities
- Inspect truck regularly to make sure everything, including emergency, mechanical and safety gear, is in working order before you go out on the road
- Perform regular maintenance tasks on the truck, such as adding fuel, changing oil or checking radiator fluid, while you are on the road to lengthen the vehicle’s service life
- Comply with state regulations by stopping at weigh stations, taking necessary breaks, getting regular health checkups and following rules of the road
- Keep detailed records about vehicle maintenance and driving times to make it easy for supervisors to understand the work you have done
- Determine your assignment details by reading bills of lading and talking with supervisors when needed
- Use binders, covers, ropes and blocks to secure cargo before transport begins so you can keep the goods in top-quality condition
- Consider road and weather conditions in order to plan the most efficient driving route to better meet deadlines
- Exchange information with supervisors and other drivers while on the road by using CB radios and GPS equipment to keep everyone apprised of your status
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- Must have an up-to-date commercial driver’s license
- Certificate of completion of a truck driving course
- Strong communication skills
- Comfortable sitting for long periods of time
Preferred:
- Familiarity with spreadsheets, easy trucking software and Microsoft Word
- Quick decision making abilities
- Previous experience as a tractor-trailer truck driver
Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver Job Responsibilities
Many companies rely on truck drivers to haul products and materials from the point of manufacture to the point of sale. The job requires dedication to safety and superior driving skills, so it is important that employers looking to fill the position find candidates who are well suited to the job. If you’re wondering how to do this, consider crafting a tractor-trailer truck driver job description that is accurate and exciting. One of the most vital components of such a posting is the tractor-trailer truck driver job responsibilities section.
Here, you will outline the day-to-day tasks associated with the job. Think of the duties that are most important to the position, and include them. Many jobseekers will skip directly to this part of the tractor-trailer truck driver job description, so you should be sure that it is an enticing illustration of what candidates can expect from the position. You might include a bullet point list of anywhere from 6-8 entries.
The examples below offer an idea of what this may look like:
- Drive routes specified by client to deliver goods to retailers and warehouses
- Accurately maintain records of cargo and ensure safe transport to and from suppliers
- Utilize satellite mapping and other technologies to determine the best routes for transport
- Maintain awareness of all applicable traffic laws and comply at all times
Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver Job Specifications
Any recruiter knows that just because candidates are willing to do a job does not mean they have the right qualifications for it. You may have jobseekers who read the tractor-trailer truck driver job description and think they could take on the position, but in reality, they are either underqualified or overqualified. How do you weed out applicants like these and ensure that your candidate pool only includes the best? One of the first things you should do is craft clear tractor-trailer truck driver job specifications.
The qualifications and skills section of the tractor-trailer truck driver job description is where you outline those specifications, which are the minimum requirements for the position, and communicate to prospective applicants what qualifications you are seeking. If you wish, you can separate these lists so it is easy for jobseekers to understand which criteria are a requirement and which are a preference. 6-8 bullet points indicating the job stipulations are standard.
See the following examples for ideas when writing your posting:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Clean driving record with no moving violations
- Dedication to safety and accident prevention
- Superior written and spoken communication skills
- Ability to drive long distances and work extended hours
