DCY CDL Class A Driver

Dcy Cdl Class A Driver

The DCY CDL Class A Driver contributes to Northwest Harvest's mission by providing excellent customer service, transporting product in a safe and timely manner by picking up and dropping off product to additional sites and Food Banks within and throughout Washington while fulfilling assigned routes and time schedules. This position plays an important role in engaging with surrounding communities throughout Washington State and supporting the Yakima Operations team by acting as an ambassador to the organization's brand and serves as a liaison between the organization and our external stakeholders to ensure deliveries are made with the highest quality by engaging in a courteous manner. In addition, the ideal candidate in this role engages in cutting hunger rates in half by 2028 through efficient and timely distribution of healthy and nutritious food to a diverse network of local and rural organizations throughout Washington State communities and will be able to work in a highly relational environment, is open to learning and using compassionate approaches to customer service, and brings a solid focus on advocating for hunger relief, collaboration, teamwork, and serving the organization's mission while actively and collaboratively empowering the lives of Northwest Harvest employees to be challenging and fulfilling.

This position is regulated by the Department of Transportation and requires passing a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam and pre-employment drug test as required by federal and/or state department/s of transportation regulations, along with passing a vehicle road test conducted by Northwest Harvest. Due to the high awareness needed in this role, a constant state of alertness and operating in a consistent safe manner, it is important the CDL Class A Drivers have the ability to accept responsibility for their own safety, as well as the safety of others.

Responsibilities

Driving Duties and overall expectations:

• Operates commercial motor vehicle in a safe and efficient manner
• Maintains clean driving record
• Immediately reports any traffic violations, accidents or property damage to Warehouse Supervisor
• Follows route given and communicates immediately with the Outbound Operations Manager or destination staff if change in schedule becomes necessary
• Cooperates with internal and external customers, suppliers and others with honesty, integrity, and respectful manner
• Performs daily inspection of vehicle as required by NWH to ensure the vehicle is in safe operating condition
• Willingly complies with all regulatory requirements including, state, federal, local laws, organization, and customer statutes or rules
• Notifies supervisor when maintenance/repairs are necessary
• Always maintains vehicle cleanliness inside and out
• Performs minor maintenance of vehicles
• Understands and supports Northwest Harvest's Mission and Values
• Helps to maintain the cleanliness of the warehouse
• Performs other duties as requested by supervisor or home warehouse management
• Maintains a professional appearance and is easily identifiable as NWH employee by attire worn
• Completes accurate, legible daily paperwork as required
• Performs quality spot checks of products delivered or picked up
• Acts as liaison between the food banks, donors and warehouse staff

Loading and unloading:

• Responsible for loading and unloading of vehicle
• Operates forklifts, pallet jacks and other warehouse equipment in a safe and efficient manner
• Assists with loading and unloading of other NWH vehicles if available

Warehouse:

• Collectively and collaboratively assists with the warehouse team when needed
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Distribution Center in Yakima (DCY) Transportation Supervisor, CDL Class-A Driver

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 5 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up 50 pounds. For any lifting of over 51 pounds, assistance is provided either through an assisted lift or in a team lift environment consistently and repeatedly, with reasonable accommodation when needed. The employee is regularly required to stand for long periods of time; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; balance; bend and reach with hands and arms; use feet to operate foot pedal operation; and talk or hear. Occasionally required to climb ladders, sit, stoop, kneel, squat, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Equity & Inclusion

Demonstrate the initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote anti-racism, cultural competency and an understanding of oppression and its impact. Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency.

Relationships

Internal: Frequent contact with all staff. Communicate daily to ask questions, receive, and provide information, discuss transportation issues, explain or interpret policies and practices, and provide direction and support leaders and staff regarding transportation issues.

External: Frequent contact with all staff. Communicate daily to ask questions, receive and provide information, discuss transportation issues, explain or interpret policies and practices, and provide direction and support leaders and staff regarding transportation issues.

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of the real-life experience, education, and training listed below which provides an equivalent background to perform the work of this position. Successful completion of a background check is required.

Knowledge of:

• Local, state, and federal applicable Department of Transportation regulations
• Non-profit organizations and issues related to hunger, poverty, and food justice
• General knowledge of basic math skills and demonstrated attention to detail
• General knowledge in warehouse operations and how product moves through a warehouse system
• Experience in a warehouse atmosphere, including operating warehouse equipment forklifts, pallet jacks, and other equipment
• General knowledge or the willingness to learn new systems such as Microsoft Office applications; Outlook, Teams, Zoom and ability to work effectively with other organizational technology and platforms this includes but is not limited to ADP, SharePoint, Microsoft Dynamics, NAV Systems, smart phones

Ability To:

• Understand and provide empathy to individuals who have experienced poverty or food insecurity
• Demonstrate interest and commitment to supporting equity and inclusion for members of historically marginalized groups, such as (but not limited to): racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ populations, people living with disabilities or chronic illnesses (including substance use), people experiencing homelessness, and people who do not speak English as their primary language
• Integrate equity principles and practices into all functions
• Ability to read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
• Communicate and listen effectively, and successfully de-escalate potentially volatile situations
• Flex communication style to multiple cultural environments
• Provide compassionate, trauma-informed customer service in demanding or potentially difficult situations
• Builds a high aptitude for developing trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Capable of working unsupervised in a safe and efficient manner
• Ability to respond quickly to inquiries and issues; customer service skills are essential
• Ability to take initiative and think critically by identifying, analyzing, and solving problems
• Ability to clearly communicate information in writing and verbally so others will understand
• Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment of change, challenge and multiple deadlines/priorities demonstrating organization, flexibility, efficiency, follow-through, and diplomacy
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people both internally and externally, in a skilled, helpful, and positive manner
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and organize work to meet schedules and timelines
• Ability to drive in winter conditions over the mountain pass. Check Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for weather advisories and plan accordingly making sure to abide by chain requirements during winter months

Education and Training:

School Diploma, GED Certification or an equal combination of education and relevant work experience with a personal orientation as a lifelong learner.

Experience:

Minimum two (2) + years' experience in commercial driving, customer service, human services, warehouse environment or food bank environment

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in a nonprofit organization is desired but not required

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid Washington State Driver license with fully insurable driving record
• Valid Class A driver's license and ability to pass a DOT standard drug screen and physical
• A current driver abstract obtained within the last (30