Driver Training Specialist

Driver Training Specialist

Reports to: Safety Manager

Full Time: Non-Management

Location: 14458 S. Depot Drive, Plainfield, IL, US

Salary Range: $60,000.00-$75,000.00

Job Summary

The CDL‑A Driver Trainer / Instructor is responsible for onboarding, training, evaluating, and coaching newly hired CDL‑A drivers for the company, as well as providing ongoing training, monitoring, and retraining to ensure continued compliance with all DOT/FMCSA regulations and company policies. This position focuses on reinforcing safe, compliant, and efficient commercial motor vehicle operations throughout a driver’s employment with the company.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct CDL road tests, skills assessments, and driver evaluations in accordance with company standards
• Provide initial and ongoing behind‑the‑wheel, yard, and classroom training specific to company equipment, policies, and operating procedures
• Monitor driver performance to ensure continued adherence to DOT regulations, safety requirements, and company policies
• Identify safety, performance, or compliance deficiencies and deliver corrective coaching or retraining as required
• Demonstrate and reinforce proper equipment operation, load securement, inspections, and safe driving practices
• Assist with new‑hire driver onboarding, including orientation, documentation support, and training verification
• Partner with Safety, Operations, and Orientation teams to address training needs and ensure regulatory compliance
• Serve as backup support to the Safety Manager
• Maintain accurate training, retraining, and evaluation records and report completion or deficiencies
• Support the continuous improvement of company driver training programs and processes

Required Qualifications

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL‑A)
• Acceptable MVR in accordance with DOT, company, and insurance standards
• Successfully complete both pre-employment and random alcohol and drug tests
• Strong working knowledge of DOT/FMCSA regulations
• Ability to coach, evaluate, document, and retrain experienced drivers professionally
• Expert knowledge of best driving, delivery, vehicle maintenance and other industry practices

Competencies 

Cooperative - Understands how to work effectively with other people on an equal basis towards commonly held aims and objectives.

Analytical - Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures; Employs logic when solving problems.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Verbal Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.

Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.

Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Language Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as instructions, correspondence, safety rules, and procedure manuals. Ability to write correspondence and routine reports. Ability to speak effectively and present information one-on-one and before small groups of customers or employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written or verbal instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills- To perform this job successfully, an individual should have intermediate PC skills and knowledge of Internet software and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Must have the ability to operate general office equipment including copier and fax machine.

Physical Demands- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and talk or hear. This position requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator, and other office equipment. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Personal Protective Equipment may be required when working in designated areas. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.

Compensation & Benefits

• Monthly commission based on gross profit performance 
• Performance-based growth and compensation review at 6 and 12 months 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 
• 401(k) 
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays 
• Company-paid Life, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance 
• Voluntary Life Insurance options