Long Haul Livestock Driver

Position Summary: Long haul driver is responsible for loading our pigs from Georgia and South Carolina farms and delivering them to Iowa. This position will follow all biosecurity protocols, DOT hours of service, and maintain great communication with our farms.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Promptly reviewing, and understanding, dispatch sheets; Confirms animal arrival and dispatch times with sow farms, contract nurseries, contract finishers.
• Follows biosecurity SOP for loading/offloading our wean pigs and end of shift unit clean out.
• Ensures pig safety and comfort when loading, transporting, unloading, or otherwise handling pigs. This includes adjustments on paneling due to length of trip.
• Tends to the details of daily routine such as extensive pre/post inspection, trip planning, and consistent communication with our growers/caretakers.
• Drive safely and adhere to the company’s vehicular guidelines.
• Follow all DOT rules and regulations and the ability to understand and use ELD.
• Follow all hours of service such as 150 AG exemption and ability to safely switch duty status.
• Applies and removes tire chains as needed.
• Ensures access to sites is safe by getting out of truck and walking the entrance/exits to ensure equipment will not be damaged.
• Performs miscellaneous tasks as required for a smooth and efficient operation.
• Oversees minor truck and equipment repairs and maintenance.
• Ensures regular maintenance checkups and keeps a maintenance log.
• Keeps truck interior clean/organized/maintained.
• Maintains adequate inventories of departmental supplies.
• Ensures training and safe operation of equipment.
• Handles on-the-road emergencies such as calling repair vendors and being able to describe the problem in detail.
• Promptly reports problems and concerns to transportation manager and/or Nursery/Finisher manager.
• Completes work accurately and in a timely manner; maintains accurate records and files as required.
• Helps identify and meet customer needs; promptly handles customer requests, concerns, and problems as they arise; ensure win/win.
• Helps team members identify and solve problems of quality. Helps improve departmental systems for optimal operation/efficiency.
• Maintains TQA certification and DOT requirements.
• Completes safety training timely.
• Follows all Animal Welfare policies and practices and informs management of any violations by staff.
• Follows bio-security measures according to Bio-Security Policy, including visitor access, sanitation, and disease prevention measures.
• Follows all safety rules and practices and ensures others do the same.
• Supports, promotes, and adheres to policies, procedures, and values of Passel Farms and industry standards.
• Regular, punctual and consistent attendance is essential for this position.
• Other duties as may be assigned to fulfill responsibilities of this position and support team goals.

Qualification: High School graduate or equivalent. Valid CDL License with Combination and Air Brake Endorsement; truck driving experience required; proficient at operating semi/trailer; excellent driving record, ability to perform assigned maintenance tasks. DOT Medical card is required. Experience working with livestock preferred. A qualifying insurable driver’s license must be maintained to drive on behalf of the company. The company provided vehicle is for business purposes only. A personal cell phone is required with a monthly reimbursement stipend set by the company. Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate equipment; reach with hands and the employee must regularly be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. There is frequent bending, squatting, stopping and kneeling. Must be able to climb ladder. Occasionally need to lift/pull 50 pounds to 100 pounds of force to move an object with or without the assistance of another person. Must be able to move and work with live animals of various sizes. Work Environment: This position is performed almost exclusively in a truck on the road. Hours of work variety based on animal care and health, weather, employee schedules, and other concerns. Personal protection equipment may be required in some areas.