Contract Mail Driver, Tractor Trailer Truck

SUMMARY

The job of Contract Mail Driver consists of transporting U.S. Mail along a designated route to, or between, U.S. Postal facilities. In performing this job, the Mail Driver will drive a semi-tractor trailer truck and will usually also load and unload the trailer (all in rolling stock) sometimes with or without assistance from USPS dock workers. The driver will make minor vehicle repairs (replacing light bulbs, fuses, etc.) and maintain good communications with their supervisor to ensure that the vehicle is maintained in good working order.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

[Note: Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may be subject to change, in order to meet Company needs/business requirements.]

The essential duties and responsibilities of a Contract Mail Driver include the following (other duties may be assigned):

• Drivers will do a pre- and post trip inspection of the truck and trailer each day to check for defects and to ensure that it's in safe operating condition. The driver will complete both a pre- and post trip report, which will indicate the vehicle?s condition and then turn it in to his supervisor at the end of each trip or tour of duty.
• Drives truck between destinations, within the designated time schedule for the run.
• Drivers MUST be able to back truck and trailer into confined spaces without damage and get it on the dock in a timely manner.
• Drivers will fill-out and maintain a driver's logbook in accordance with the Department of Transportation's regulations.
• Mail Drivers may be required to load and unload the trailer at each stop, either individually or with assistance of USPS dock personnel and with or without mechanical equipment. Most Postal loads are in rolling stock, easily managed by one person. The occasional pallet or two will be loaded/unloaded by Postal personnel -- drivers will not use Postal, powered equipment, period!
• Drivers will secure the load properly, per Company direction so as to ensure stability and the security of the load. We are hauling U.S. Mail -- people's lives are wrapped up in their Mail -- it demands we do our best to safeguard it!
• The driver will apply knowledge of commercial driving and skills in maneuvering vehicle at varying speeds in difficult situations, such as heavy traffic, inclement weather or in tight loading dock areas -- the Post Office seems to consist of extremely tight dock areas and mail drivers must be able to perform this task! This cannot be emphasized enough -- if you can't back, you can't haul Mail.
• Drivers will ensure that all shipping documentation (e.g., manifest security seal sheet, USPS form 5398-A, form 5397 ("late-slips"), etc.) required to move the Mail load is available for inspection and that said paperwork accompanies the load when delivered.
• Maintain paperwork required for compliance with State and Federal regulations including drivers' logs, mileage sheets, fuel receipts, and other records required by law.
• Perform all duties in accordance with company policies and procedures, and to comply with all Federal, State, and local regulations for the safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
• Promptly report any and all delays due to breakdowns, weather or traffic conditions or other emergencies, or in the event of irregularities relating to pickup or delivery of the load.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, a driver must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• The applicant must be able to pass all qualifications as set forth in Department of Transportation regulations, along with the USPS regulations.
• Applicants MUST be able to pass an FBI background check! This means NO felonies and NO theft convictions. Do not try and hide anything -- they WILL find any convictions that may exist. If you can't meet these requirements, please don't waste your time or ours. We take the Post Office's "sanctity of the seal" pledge seriously! The USPS rules also say NO DUI/DWI/controlled substances convictions within 3 years -- if this applies to you, again, please don't waste your time or ours!

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• 2 years experience driving a tractor tailer is required.
• Drivers must be able to drive conventional tractor (either day cab or with a sleeper) pulling with a 48 to 53 foot dry van.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• The applicant must posses the ability to read, write and comprehend the English language, so as to understand simple instructions, along with short correspondence and memos in the ENGLISH language.
• The applicant must also be able to write simple correspondence in English.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out detailed, but uninvolved, written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems arising on the route, to be able to know when it is time to call the supervisor to help with a problem.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Applicant must possess a valid Commercial Driver's License.
• Applicant must possess (or be able to obtain) a valid DOT Medical Certificate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Drivers must be able to sit and remain alert while driving for an aggregate period of up to 11 hours.
• Drivers must be able to shift manual transmission and operate foot pedals.
• Drivers must be able to perform occasional squatting and crouching to handle and secure the Mail.
• Drivers must be able to enter and exit the vehicle's cab 8 to 10 times a day. Cab floor level is generally from 36 to 66 inches above ground level, with entry and exit achieved with the assistance of various configurations of steps and handholds; also requires occasional bending, twisting, climbing, squatting, crouching and balancing.
• Drivers must be able to push/pull/man-handle Postal containers with or without a mechanical aid while loading/unloading the trailer.
• Drivers must be able to occasionally reach above shoulder level, at waist level and below waist level for maneuvering and directing the controls to operate the truck.
• Must be able to hook/unhook various commercial vehicle combinations, manually lower and raise landing gear, operate the fifth wheel release lever, attach and unhook air and electrical lines, raise and lower cargo doors, climb into and out of vehicles, fuel vehicles and check engine oil and coolant levels.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Drivers may spend from 20% to 40% of their time out-of-doors, exposed to potentially difficult environmental conditions.
• Drivers may sometimes be subject to irregular work schedules, temperature and weather extremes, long trips, short notice for assignment of a trip, tight delivery schedules, delays en route and other stresses related to driving a large commercial motor vehicle on crowded streets and highways in all kinds of weather.

1. Drivers typically spend 60% to 80% of their on-duty time in the truck. While driving, Mail drivers are exposed to noise and vibration levels which may be higher than those typically experienced in passenger vehicles.