CDL (A&B) Truck Driver

Position Summary

The commercial driver’s license class A (CDL (A & B) truck driver performs delivery of perishable plants our customers.  The CDL (A & B) truck driver ensures the safe, timely, and professional delivery of customer’s order(s).

About Us

Riverbend Nursery is a progressive, container wholesale growing operation that sells quality ground covers, perennials, and ornamental grasses to retailers, landscapers, and re-wholesalers. The nursery is situated on 100 acres in Riner, Virginia and is located in the southwestern portion of the state, between Christiansburg and Floyd. The scenic Little River surrounds the property on three sides in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Thirty-four acres are utilized for production; 31 acres in container crops and 3 in field production. A total of 4 million containers are grown yearly in 227 cold frames. Over 1800 varieties are produced in both heated and unheated greenhouses and 70% of these are propagated in house. Our distribution area extends from New Jersey to the upper portions of South Carolina with the majority of the product shipped by our own truck fleet. Orders taken for outside of our trucking area and smaller orders are shipped UPS daily. Riverbend Nursery has been in operation for 17 years. During peak growing seasons Riverbend Nursery employs approximately 120 employees with the year round staff totaling around 70 persons.

Essential Functions

PRE-TRIP

  • Perform pre-trip inspection of lights, tire pressure, brakes, and trailer door
  • Check load to make sure each cage of plants is tagged with the appropriate information about the destination of the cage and the type of plants contained in the cage
  • Secure the load.
  • Close and lock trailer door

DRIVING

  • Maintain CDL license, good driving record, and meet all federal and state regulations while driving; including all DOT required log books and/or other paperwork.
  • Use company credit card for pre-approved purchases only
  • Maintain complete and accurate trip logs/reports, receipts, invoice copies, etc.
  • Notify home office immediately of any repairs needed or made and of any tickets or accidents

CUSTOMER SERVICE

  • Call the customer contact from your paperwork and inform them if you will be early or late of an hour or more
  • Note any returned items and the reason for returning those items on invoice
  • Assist in unloading orders
  • Be courteous to all customers and maintain professional appearance

POST-TRIP

  • Return all required paperwork, including invoices, receipts, trip logs, hours, etc. to the distribution department upon return from each trip
  • May be required to unload and reload truck upon return to terminal

 

Tools & Equipment Used

  • Load Locks
  • Road Tractor
  • CB Radio
  • Mobile Phone
  • Ratchet Straps
  • Maps
  • Logbook
  • Tire-Pressure Gauge

 

Job Context

The seasonal CDL truck driver’s work schedule will depend on the workload. The CDL (A & B) truck driver works at different times throughout the year. The basis for retention of the seasonal workforce is performance and customer demand. As a route is confirmed the by Distribution management, a driver will receive a call with the details of the route. Upon completion of the loading process, a driver will receive a second call from Distribution management to begin the transportation process. A typical route consists of two days, but can be as little as one day or as much as 3 days. Drivers will report directly to the Distribution Routing Supervisor and indirectly to all other members of Distribution management. Drivers will interact with all customers and members of the Distribution department.

Competencies

UPON HIRE

  • Licensure for a commercial driver’s license
  • High school diploma or equivalency
  • Knowledge of road rules and regulations
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision
  • Willingness to work long hours
  • Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
  • Ability to maneuver cages on a truck in confined spaces
  • Ability to understand and execute verbal directions to a destination
  • Ability to navigate to a new destination by reading a map
  • Ability to present Riverbend with up-to-date medical card
  • Ability to pass a pre-employment drug-screening
  • Physical ability to move 1,500 lb. carts across uneven and rough terrain.
  • Physical ability to lift up to 40 lb. trays on a regular basis

AFTER HIRE

  • Knowledge and adherence of Riverbend Policies
  • Ability to log the entire day in a D.O.T logbook
  • Ability to maintain up-to-date medical card
  • Ability to pass random drug tests throughout year