SkillBridge Driver Operator Intern

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in the heart of agriculture supply, using cutting-edge technology and working alongside a team of skilled professionals? If you thrive on travel, operating various equipment, and being part of a dynamic team, our Operator Driver Skillbridge Internship in Wichita, Kansas could be the perfect opportunity for you!

This position is open to participants in the DOD's SkillBridge program. For more information see: https://skillbridge.osd.mil/

Job Summary

As an Operator Driver, you'll be instrumental in delivering high-quality phosphate fertilizer to agriculture centers across the Midwest. Working closely with a team of 4 members, you'll travel directly to customers to produce fertilizer on-site. While driving constitutes only 20% of the job, you'll move the unit from site to site, covering approximately 50,000 miles per year. Main worksite: 1690 N 167th W Goddard, KS 67052

See below for an outline of the 11-week Skillbridge Internship Program

Benefits when becoming a Full-Time Employee after successfully completing the internship:

Join Blick’s as a full-time employee and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance from Day #1 of full-time employment, employer-paid Short/Long-Term Disability and Life insurance, and a 401k with generous matching. At Blick’s, we recognize and reward the valuable contributions of our team members. The starting annual salary for Operator Drivers is $60,000 plus career advancement opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Off-site

• Conduct DOT inspections and complete driver reports for safe transportation.
• Assist in equipment transportation between job sites.
• Set up, operate, and pack up equipment at job sites.
• Prepare railcars for unloading and return transport.
• Utilize Microsoft Excel for documentation and reporting.
• Inspect and document items needing repair or inspection before the next job.
• Maintain service log-books on vehicles and equipment.
  
  

On-site

• Uphold Process Safety Management (PSM) standards for equipment.
• Perform basic maintenance tasks on trucks, cars, and production equipment, replacing broken or worn components to ensure optimal functionality.
• Maintain cleanliness in shop, production areas, and company equipment.
  
  

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• CDL A License required. Four weeks of the 11-week Skillbridge Internship are spent obtaining a Class A CDL by completing a CDL course at a third-party commercial driving school
• Mechanical and maintenance proficiency
• Experience in the fertilizer industry is a plus
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel. Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and Word a plus
• This role requires English proficiency to ensure safe and effective communication in a safety-sensitive environment.
• Full-time employees must reside within a 45-minute commute of Goddard, Kansas
  
  

Special Demands/Skills

• Wear company-supplied required safety gear: hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe or sturdy leather boots.
• Ability to work in confined spaces, deal with heights while following respiratory and fall protection guidelines and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Driving constitutes 20% of the job:
• Typical work week involves departure from the main worksite and traveling within a 16-state area.
• While off-site with the unit, operating time is divided around the clock.
• As a full-time employee: Tax free daily per diem for food and monthly cell phone stipend
• Single room hotel lodging provided.
  

Training And Development

At Blick’s, we believe in fostering the growth and development of our team members. Our comprehensive career roadmap provides training opportunities to help you further your career, enhance your skills, and contribute to your professional growth.

SkillBridge Internship Program

Overview: Driver Operators operate and transport specialized fertilizer equipment to agricultural sites across the Midwest. This role involves driving between job locations, setting up and operating machinery, and performing basic maintenance tasks. Driver Operators document inspections, ensure compliance with safety standards, support on-site production processes, and also assist in maintaining equipment.

Length of Entire SkillBridge Training Program: 11 weeks

Week

Training Module

Learning Objective

1

Intro to Industry Operations

Integration into the organization and the industry, including safety and environmental training

2

Fieldwork Week #1

Go off-site as a member of 4-person crew to observe client-site reacting

3

Fieldwork Week #2

Go off-site as a member of 4-person crew, perform basic set up/tear down on phosphoric acid operations

4

Fieldwork Week #3

Go off-site as a member of 4-person crew, perform set up/tear down on phosphoric acid operations and initial reporting processes

5

Fieldwork Week #4

Go off-site as a member of 4-person crew, perform begin set up/tear down on anhydrous ammonia operations

6

CDL Driver’s School

Week 1 of third-party professional Commercial Driver License (CDL) Driver’s School

7

CDL Driver’s School

Week 2 of third-party professional CDL Driver’s School

8

CDL Driver’s School

Week 3 of third-party professional CDL Driver’s School

9

CDL Driver’s School

Week 4 of third-party professional CDL Driver’s School—Obtain CDL Class A License

10

Driving Fieldwork Week #1

Drive Secondary Vehicle & Trailer as a member of 4-person crew and participate as needed in client-site reacting process

11

Driving Fieldwork Week #2

Drive Secondary Vehicle & Trailer as a member of 4-person crew and participate as needed in client-site reacting process

12

Graduate from training plan—Full-Time Job Offer

We are an equal opportunity employer.

All interns and employees must undergo a drug test, background check, and motor vehicle report.