Carrier Compliance Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Carrier Compliance Specialist executes carrier compliance across both of ARL's divisions under the direction of the Safety & Compliance Manager: DOT and FMCSA safety and compliance on the asset-based Transport side, and carrier vetting and fraud prevention on the Brokerage side. On the Transport side, ARL's capacity runs on owner-operators (IBEs) and their drivers operating under ARL's authority through agents. This role keeps those drivers qualified and compliant by maintaining files and running recurring compliance processes (driver qualification, drug and alcohol testing, hours of service, equipment records, CSA performance, audit support), and on the Brokerage side vets and monitors third-party carriers and flags double-brokering and fraud risk, escalating issues to the Safety & Compliance Manager.

TOOLS AND SYSTEMS

Samsara • Highway • FMCSA Clearinghouse • SAFER / SMS • DataQs • FMCSA Portal • Truckman • Front • Microsoft 365

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Keep all driver qualification files current and audit-ready at all times.
• Maintain the DOT drug and alcohol testing program with zero missed testing cycles and full Clearinghouse compliance.
• Keep CSA BASIC scores below FMCSA intervention thresholds.
• Maintain accurate hours of service, ELD, and equipment inspection records across the owner-operator fleet.
• Maintain continuous audit readiness for DOT, FMCSA, and insurance reviews.
• Vet and continuously monitor third-party carriers on the Brokerage side, and guard against double-brokering and carrier fraud.

Communicate safety and compliance issues and corrective actions promptly to field safety, operations, agents, and leadership.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Owner-Operator and IBE Driver Qualification (FMCSA / DOT)

• Maintain driver qualification (DQ) files for all owner-operators and IBE drivers, ensuring CDLs, medical examiner's certificates, MVRs, and annual reviews are current and audit-ready.
• Process new driver setups and terminations, and verify each driver is properly qualified before being placed in service under ARL's authority.
• Ensure owner-operator lease agreements meet FMCSA leasing requirements (49 CFR Part 376).

Drug and Alcohol Program (49 CFR Parts 382 and 40)

• Administer the DOT drug and alcohol testing program for all drivers operating under ARL's authority, including pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty testing.
• Manage FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse queries and reporting.
• Coordinate with the designated Medical Review Officer and the testing consortium or TPA as applicable.

Hours of Service, ELD, and Equipment Compliance

• Monitor hours of service and ELD compliance, investigate violations, and coordinate corrective action with operations and agents.
• Maintain systematic inspection, maintenance, and annual DOT inspection records for equipment operating under ARL's authority (49 CFR Part 396).
• Oversee IFTA and IRP filings and recordkeeping in coordination with permits and accounting.

Safety Program and Roadside Compliance

• Monitor CSA scores and BASIC categories, and carry out remediation steps for at-risk measures as directed.
• Track roadside inspections, follow up on violations, and file DataQs challenges where warranted.
• Maintain the accident register and the post-accident process, and coordinate documentation with insurance.
• Partner with the Field Safety Managers on driver safety coaching, corrective action, and retraining.

Carrier Compliance and Fraud Prevention (Brokerage)

• Vet third-party carriers before engagement: verify active FMCSA operating authority, insurance coverage and certificate validity, safety ratings, and authority age.
• Apply carrier qualification standards and minimum insurance requirements, and escalate exceptions to the Safety & Compliance Manager.
• Screen for carrier fraud indicators, including double-brokering, carrier identity theft, and fraudulent authority, and flag suspected cases for investigation.
• Maintain continuous monitoring through Highway or an equivalent platform, and keep carrier files and agreements current.

Authority, Audit, and Regulatory Readiness

• Maintain ARL's operating authority, MCS-150 biennial updates, and UCR registration.
• Support the Safety & Compliance Manager during DOT audits, FMCSA inspections, and insurance audits, and assemble the requested documentation.
• Perform internal file audits and self-assessments to keep records audit-ready.
• Track changing FMCSA, DOT, and state regulations and flag impacts to the Safety & Compliance Manager.

Reporting and Cross-Functional Coordination

• Compile monthly compliance reporting for the Safety & Compliance Manager covering DQ file status, CSA trends, testing results, roadside and accident activity, carrier qualification status, and open risk items.
• Partner with Field Safety, Transport Operations, Brokerage, Recruiting, Accounting, and People and Technology on compliance processes and data.

Maintain standard operating procedures for compliance workflows and support automation efforts with People and Technology

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in transportation, business, or a related field preferred.
• Two to four years of experience in DOT and FMCSA motor carrier safety and compliance or transportation back-office work, preferably in asset-based or owner-operator trucking. This role also covers carrier vetting and fraud prevention on the Brokerage side; brokerage carrier-compliance experience is a plus, with primary weight on motor carrier safety and compliance.
• Working knowledge of the FMCSRs, DOT drug and alcohol rules (49 CFR Parts 382 and 40), HOS and ELD requirements, IFTA and IRP, CSA / SMS, and the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
• Experience maintaining driver qualification files and supporting DOT audits.
• Experience with CSA score management, roadside inspections, and DataQs preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and disciplined recordkeeping.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, with the ability to learn Samsara and Truckman.
• CDS (Certified Director of Safety) or NATMI certification preferred.