Yard Jockey Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a yard jockey. Feel free to use our yard jockey job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a yard jockey.
Who is a Yard Jockey?
Yard jockeys are essential in the execution of hauled cargo deliveries. This cargo will typically reach its destination at a cargo yard or warehouse, where it must be unloaded and delivered directly to the client. Yard jockeys manage this process by operating a terminal tractor that moves semi-trailers to the destination.
Professionals who can multitask are well-suited for this position. Yard jockeys are responsible for managing semi-trucks and cargo moving. They also have other responsibilities such as inspection of equipment, driving directions, and communication with other members of the cargo yard team.
Yard jockeys can also work in cargo yards. Yard jockeys can also work in factories and rail yards. A yard jockey job is a great way to test the waters and find out if this career path is right for you.
Yard jockeys drive tractor-trailer trucks in a yard. They hook up tractor-trailers, unhook trailers, and organize trailers and tractors within the company’s yard space. The job involves loading and unloading trucks quickly and efficiently, inspecting them, and preparing them for transport. Although a yard jockey does not require any formal education, it is wise to have a high school diploma to be able to work in this field.
Although the qualifications to become a yard jockey are minimal, experience with tractor-trailer trucks is required. A commercial driver’s license (CDL), is required in many cases. However, this is not always true. Yard jockeys can sometimes operate trucks without a CDL. This is because they will not be driving on public roads. Instead, they will only work on the trucking company’s property, which avoids the need for a CDL. Valid driver’s licenses are required. A clean driving record is desirable.
For those who want to be a yard jockey, many trucking companies around the globe will have age restrictions. For this job, candidates must be at least 18 years old in the United States as well as in many other countries. Many employers will require drug testing. If a candidate fails to pass this test, they will not be eligible for hire. After the driver has been hired, he/she will need to complete several weeks or months of training to ensure the safety of the equipment and those operating it.
Yard jockeys must be able to attach trailers to trucks, unhook them, stabilize them, load them and unload them. It is important to be familiar with the technology of these trucks. However, job applicants can receive job training after they are hired to get more information about the equipment. Safety regulations are extremely important as there is a high risk of accidents in this job. The driver must also learn communication techniques, including radio communication and hand signals.
Some trucking companies do not require that a CDL is obtained to become a yard jockey driver. This is because the driver will be driving on private land.
Many companies don’t require their yard jockeys to leave their property (private property), so it’s not required that they obtain a CDL. However, if any yard jockey leaves company property while driving their truck then they must have a CDL to drive on public roads.
It can be difficult to understand what a CDL means and who it is for.
They will often be responsible for regular vehicle maintenance. Any previous knowledge and experience in vehicle maintenance or mechanics is a plus when applying for a job. The vehicle will be used on gravel, asphalt, concrete, and asphalt surfaces, which can make it difficult to maintain.
For inventory and recordkeeping duties, basic math knowledge is necessary. The source and type of the material must be recorded to determine the tare weight, gross and net weights, and container numbers. The yard jockey is partially responsible for the security of valuable items as well as the area. He must also account for goods that are in transit.
Yard jockeys must be able to communicate well with visitors and employees. Most communication is done via two-way radio or cell phone. They are required to adhere to safety regulations and complete any other tasks that may be assigned by their supervisors.
Yard Jockey Job Description
Below are the yard jockey job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a yard jockey job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a yard jockey include the following:
- Assisting with docking
- Assisting with the inspection of containers
- Engaging in preventive maintenance of machinery and tools
- Completing trailer sanitation before reloading
- Transporting equipment around the yard.
- Notifying management about repairs that are required.
- Storing pieces of equipment safely
- Engaging in regular inspections of outgoing and incoming equipment.
- Receiving the doors at the dock and shipping the jockey boxes when requested
- Securing the containers/trailers and checking for seals.
- Following safety policies and company standards according to the regulations of the department.
- Assisting others with their tasks.
- Ensuring that equipment in the yard meets all regulations.
- Ensuring that containers are properly jockeyed for shipping, and storage when necessary.
- Transferring the products to an outlet store.
- Assisting the production floor when needed.
- Completing and submitting yard inventory for containers.
- Using RF gun for scanning products
- Monitoring crane operators to remove IBC from freights.
- Processing emergency loads, and flipping the containers
- Transporting and picking up of freights.
- Setting up promotional materials such as POS, service stations, and jockey boxes.
- Moving containers from the dock.
- Managing transport starting with the contract for a distribution center.
- Entering the location information into your warehouse system.
- Mentoring and training spotters and new drivers in the yard to support company policies.
- Conducting weekly audits to account for product loss, which should be minimal.
- Conducting safety and equipment checks on the vehicle.
- Using the barcode scanner to accurately load your shipment.
- Delivering and collecting postal loads from and to warehouses and post offices.
- Operating delivery vans following the safety policy.
- Moving and handling equipment in the yard
- Conducting minor repairs and inspections
- Maintaining equipment in safe and proper working order
- Analyzing the functionality of both incoming and ex-equipment
- Maintaining, updating, and creating equipment inventories
- Operating the yard truck safely
- Preparing equipment to load and dispatch
- Coordinating with warehouse workers for loading and unloading trailers
- Preparing and maintaining a daily report
- Respecting safety and health protocols at all costs
Qualifications
A high school diploma is required to become a yard jockey. To be able to hold the position, the person will need to have a CDL (Commercial Drivers License). According to statistics, the majority of yard jockeys are into a business. Other specifications include general education and automotive technology.
Training and Experience
Yard jockeys often receive training on the job from their supervisors, or other experienced yard jockeys. This may include instruction in the safe use of the equipment and daily tasks.
Certifications and Licenses
Yard jockeys don’t need any licenses or certifications to be able to operate. Some states require riding licenses for jockeys. You must pass an exam administered to you by your state’s race commission to earn a riding license. You may need to pass an exam depending on where you live before you can compete in races. Some states issue apprentice licenses before issuing full licenses.
Some of the licenses include:
- Commercial driver license
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the U.S. transportation department responsible for certifying Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL). A CDL is required for interstate, intrastate, and foreign commerce. To meet the federal standards, the state developed its test. A learner’s permit is required to obtain CDL. A learner’s permit can only be issued to an individual who passes the knowledge and skill tests. The skill test can be taken in the vehicle that you plan to use.
- OSHA Certificate
The program covers both general industry and construction standards for 40 hours. It addresses health issues related to work and physical hazards that may be a result of OSHA standards. Safety and health procedures must be followed by employees.
Essential Skills
- Driving skills
- Commercial Driving
- Tractor-Trailer Experience
- Forklift
- Commercial Vehicle Experience
- Shuttle Driving
- Warehouse Experience
- Manual Transmission Experience
- Heavy lifting
How to Become a Yard Jockey
Also, it is important to check with your potential employer to determine how to become a yard jockey. The employer can also get specific information from the motor vehicle licensing agency. You will need to fulfill additional job requirements besides those directly related to yard driving.
Before you start the process of becoming a yard jockey, choose which type of truck you would like to drive. This will allow you to determine what type of truck driving license you need. A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required if you wish to operate commercial trucks in the United States. You will need a CDL depending on the type of vehicle you are driving. Once you have the information you need to be a yard jockey, then you can start looking for trucking schools and other training.
Yard jockeys may not be able to perform their duties without getting a regular driver’s license to drive trailer trucks. If you don’t have a driver’s license, then your truck driving education may need to be limited to what your local driver education requirements are for a regular license.
Talk to your potential employer if you are unsure about what type of license you will need and the training required to become a yard jockey in the area you are interested in. The agency responsible for motor vehicle licensing can also be consulted. These agencies often have handbooks that provide information about local and federal licensing requirements. These agencies are often referred to in the United States as the Division of Motor Vehicles (or the Department of Motor Vehicles), the Office of Motor Vehicles (or a similar name).
You might have to fulfill other requirements depending on your employer and job description to be a local truck driver. You might need to be at least 18 years old, have specific education and be able to lift a certain weight to get the job. Most companies require employees to undergo random drug screenings. This is especially important for drivers of company vehicles. You will receive company-specific details from your potential employer. Many offer on-the-job training to qualified applicants.
Where to Work
Most yard jockeys work in trucking industries.
What does a Yard Jockey Drive?
A yard jockey can either drive a terminal tractor or semi-trailer truck
Their features include:
- Only one person can fit in the terminal tractor’s cabin.
- The terminal tractor comes with a rear door that allows for easy access to the trailer from the cab.
- The terminal tractor comes with a solid rear axle mount.
- The terminal tractor’s wheelbase is shorter than that of the semi-trailer truck
- The terminal tractor is equipped with an automatic transmission.
- The engine of the terminal tractor will be powered by a low-powered diesel.
Is a Yard Jockey profession a Good Job?
This job is a great job for those who want to enter the trucking industry.
A yard jockey job usually does not require a CDL. This will allow you to explore your options if you are interested in becoming an over-the-road truck driver or just a general truck driver.
Yard jockeys will usually have a set schedule, such as 4/10 (working four days or nights and working ten-hour shifts).
The benefits of being a yard jockey include holiday pay, and health insurance.
Yard jockeys are paid per hour, unlike truck drivers who are paid per mile. This is great as you’ll know exactly what your weekly paycheck is.
Yard Jockey Tips to Avoid Injuries
Truck drivers and yard jockeys can avoid serious injuries by taking some precautionary measures. These are some of the most important tips for avoiding injuries!
- Landing Gear Injury
Yard jockeys can sustain serious injuries from the landing gear.
Cranking the hand of the landing gear is required. Repeated cranking can result in a wrist, elbow, shoulder, or hand injury.
Drivers should be careful not to spring or strain while cranking. It is also advisable to watch the hand crank.
- Continuous Climbing
A yard jockey must climb continuously throughout their shift to connect or disconnect the lines from the trailer.
An Ottawa yard truck allows the driver to connect lines without leaving their yard truck.
Yard Jockey Salary Scale
The average yard jockey salary in the United States is $44,977 or $21.62 an hour.
