Non-CDL Truck Driver

Position Summary

Seasonal Non-CDL Drivers are responsible for loading trucks; driving straight truck with a capacity not to exceed 25,999GVW; transporting, and delivering plant materials in a timely and courteous manner within specified destinations; and unloading trucks.  Assisting with general nursery work as well as repair of irrigation, electrical, carpentry, electronics, and other equipment is needed as well.

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

Operating vehicles, mechanized devices, or equipment:

  • Load and unload truck by operating any special loading-related equipment on vehicles and using other equipment as necessary
  • Drive truck with capacities greater than three tons, in order to transport and deliver plant materials
  • Operate truck equipped with snowplows and sander attachments to maintain roads in winter weather
  • Operate equipment such as truck cab computers, CB radios, and telephones to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers only

Handling and moving objects:

  • Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, and/or covers
  • Remove any debris from trailers after loading is completed
  • Place empty cages in trailers so they will be available to facilitate placement and movement of goods
  • Unload plant materials with or without customer’s help
  • Unload any “returned” plants brought back from deliveries
  • Complete a variety of nursery jobs during off-season

Inspecting and repairing equipment, structures, or material:

  • Examine truck before driving them to detect malfunctions, damage, or maintenance needed
  • Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks such as adding oil, fuel, and radiator fluid, or performing minor repairs
  • Perform emergency roadside repairs such as changing tires and installing light bulbs, tire chains, and spark plugs.
  • Maintain neat and clean delivery vehicles

Communication

  • Notify the main office of altered routes, delays, and customer problems before 2:30 p.m. if possible
  • Call the main office on Saturday and Monday to inquire about delivery schedule for week
  • Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles
  • Return all cash on delivery payment to main office
  • Maintain logs of working hours, of vehicle service and repair status, of mileage trip, of fuel usage, and of customers’ complaints if available following applicable state and federal regulations
  • Notify the customers of any late deliveries or early arrivals
  • Maintain a neat, orderly, professional appearance in assigned uniform attire
  • Treat customers with respect at all times

Tools & Equipment Used

  • Hand trucks or accessories, Handlifts, Hydraulic lifts, Johnson bars
  • Snowplow attachment: Plow attachments

Job Context

When driving, the hours will be dictated by the route assignments. When working on-site hours will be those worked by outside workers. Weekend and overtime work is required as dictated by the season to complete tasks. The straight truck driver reports directly to the Distribution Supervisor. However, the work itself is done with minimal supervision. Drivers may be required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain, squat, bend, and stand repeatedly throughout the day, to work outdoors in all weather conditions, maneuver cages on truck in tight situations, unload plant material off cages without customer’s assistance when necessary, take written and verbal constructions and carry them out independently, work under high stress conditions, operate a variety of vehicles and equipment, and wear assigned uniform consisting of pants, shirt, cap and jacket while delivering the plant materials. Work is performed in a variety of conditions ranging from climate controlled indoor environments to working outdoors directly exposed to the elements.

Competencies

UPON HIRE

  • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving goods by road.
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Operation of equipment or systems controlling skills.
  • Equipment maintenance skills.
  • Basic math skills, reading comprehension skills, writing skills, map reading skills
  • The ability to see details at a distance.
  • The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • The ability to make use of maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects. Liquid and gaseous chemicals such as: chlorine, acid, gasoline, diesel, and propane
  • Various tools used for mechanical repair such as screwdrivers, wrenches, ratchet and socket tools, pry bars, sledge hammers, testing equipment etc.
  • Welding and cut torches
  • Pneumatic tools and equipment, Hydraulics, Conveyor systems, Electrical equipment
  • Radio
  • Various vehicles including trucks, tractors, tractor trailers, and forklifts
  • Various small machinery such as hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, and generators

AFTER HIRE

  • Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, government regulations, and agency rules