Details
Job Title: Truck driver
Employer: Uxbridge Nurseries Limited
Location: Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada
Salary: $28.39 hourly / 40 hours per week
Shift: Day
Terms of employment: Permanent employment, Full-time
Start date: Starts as soon as possible
Requirements
Languages: English
Education: No degree, certificate or diploma
Experience: Seven months to less than one year
On-site: Work must be completed at the physical location. There is no option to work remotely.
Tasks
- Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions
- Address customers’ complaints or concerns.
- Professionalism in customer service
- Load and unload goods.
- Operate and drive straight or articulated trucks to transport goods and materials.
- Oversee the vehicle’s condition and inspect tires, lights, brakes, cold storage, and other equipment.
- Perform pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspections and oversee all aspects of the vehicle.
- Receive and relay information to central dispatch.
- Record cargo information, hours of service, distance traveled, and fuel consumption
- Tarping and ensuring the safety and security of cargo
Certificates, licenses, memberships, and courses
- AZ class license
- Air Brakes Endorsement
- DZ class license
- Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) Certificate
- Defensive Driving Course
Documentation knowledge
- Accident or incident reports
- Bill of lading
- Driver logbook
- Inspection report (pre-trip, en-route, post-trip)
- Maintenance and repair reports
- Trip reports
Type of trucking and equipment
- Flatbed
- Straight truck (4,600kg+ or 10,000lbs+ with 3+ axles)
- Tractor-trailer
Communication systems experience
- Citizens Band (CB) radio
- Operate GPS (Global Positioning System) and other navigation equipment.
Transportation/travel experience
- Local
- Provincial/territorial
- Short-haul
Security and safety
- Valid passport
- Criminal record check
- Driving record check (abstract)
- Medical exam
Transportation/travel information
- Drive manual transmission vehicle
- Valid driver’s licence
Who can apply for this job?
The employer accepts applications from:
- Canadian citizens and permanent or temporary residents of Canada.
- Other candidates with or without a valid Canadian work permit.
How to Apply
Online through the company website: uxbridgenurseries@outlook.com
This job posting includes screening questions. Please answer the following questions when applying:
- Are you available for the advertised start date?
- Are you currently legally able to work in Canada?
Uxbridge Nurseries Limited is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace.
All qualified candidates will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by law or contract.
What is a Truck Driver?
A truck driver operates large commercial vehicles, usually semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, to deliver goods across vast distances. By ensuring that items are transported to their destinations safely and effectively, these people contribute significantly to the economy.
Truck drivers have a lot on their plate: meeting deadlines, handling different types of road conditions, and following rules that apply to the transportation sector.
Furthermore, this employment frequently requires lengthy travel days and prolonged absences from home. Drivers must be highly skilled, thoroughly comprehend safety procedures, and stay focused and attentive on long trips.
Along with regularly communicating with dispatchers, shippers, and receivers, truck drivers must also arrange deliveries and handle any problems that may occur while in transit.
Types of Truck Drivers
Long-Haul Truck Drivers: Long-haul truck drivers frequently travel across state lines or the entire country to transport goods over large distances.
They could be gone from home for a few days or weeks, following tight delivery deadlines and transporting things to different locations.
Regional Truck Drivers: Compared to long-haul drivers, regional truck drivers usually travel fewer distances while working in a particular area.
Unlike long-haul drivers, they can be in charge of moving cargo between several nearby states or within a single state, making more frequent trips back home.
Delivery Service Drivers: Delivery service drivers typically operate in a small geographic region, delivering goods to customers, merchants, and businesses in the same city or metropolitan area.
They might have several trips to make during the day and frequently head back home at night.
Specialty Truck Drivers: Specialty truck drivers may operate specialized vehicles designed for specific types of cargo, such as hazardous materials, oversized loads, or refrigerated goods. These drivers require additional training and certification to transport their designated cargo safely.
Owner-Operator Truck Drivers: Truck drivers who own and drive their commercial trucks are known as owner-operators. They can haul items freelance, working individually or under contract with transportation companies.
Owner-operators oversee every facet of their company, such as client interactions, route planning, and vehicle maintenance.
Team Truck Drivers: Team drivers work in pairs or small teams, taking turns driving the same truck to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.
This arrangement allows for continuous vehicle operation, with one driver resting while the other drives, enabling faster delivery times for time-sensitive cargo.
Top Benefits of Being a Truck Driver in Canada
Competitive Salary
Truck drivers benefit from moderate to high salaries—drivers new to the trucking industry average $50,000 or more after training.
According to the most recent data from Indeed, the average annual salary of a truck driver can range between $51,000 and $210,000 (depending on experience level, type of employment, and expertise).
Health Insurance
Truck drivers employed by trucking companies enjoy a full range of standard benefits, such as health, dental, vision, and life insurance, just like other workers. Most trucking companies also offer these benefits for their families in various forms, such as Medicaid and CHIP.
Job Security
It’s common to hear people describe trucking as the foundation or life force of our economy. Trucking grows along with our economy!
Truck drivers are needed because there is a need for goods. In the trucking industry, recruitment is highly competitive, so when you apply for positions, you have more power than job seekers in other fields.
No Degree Required
The salary for truck drivers is comparable to that of many professions that need advanced training. In as little as three weeks, you can earn endorsements for your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and start driving a truck.
A CDL is required to boost your wages, drive heavy trucks, and carry more profitable freight. However, being a truck driver does not require a degree.
Little to No Training Cost
Unlike many other degrees or certification programs, becoming a truck driver requires no substantial initial investment, which makes it accessible to more people. The cost to train for a truck driving career ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 if you attend a private truck driving school or community college.
However, obtaining your CDL training without paying a dime in exchange for entering into a 1-2-year contract with many of the larger trucking companies is possible.
Career Advancement
Being a truck driver may be a long-term profession and a job. With experience and ongoing education, there are plenty of prospects for development (and pay rises) in the trucking sector.
While some drivers may pursue specialty driving jobs like hazmat or heavy load hauling, others may advance into management or training positions.
In addition, many businesses provide rewards and incentives for long-term employment and safe driving.
Diverse Work Environments
Truck drivers can transport different items, which might result in various work situations. Depending on their job and qualifications, some drivers may even be able to travel abroad in addition to making local deliveries and cross-country excursions.
This diversity can add excitement and challenge to the work because you can travel and engage with a wide range of people. It also allows you to advance professionally and has many learning opportunities.
Trucking community
As a truck driver, you become part of a dedicated and tight-knit community. You will often cross paths with fellow drivers on the road or at rest stops, and this can lead to new friendships and connections.
There are also online forums and groups where truckers can connect and share advice, stories, and support. This sense of connection makes the job less isolating and creates a robust support system for drivers on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a truck driver?
Training programs typically last six weeks to 12 months but vary by provider. For example, some company-sponsored programs last six weeks, while some community college programs may last as long as a year.
New drivers should expect between one and three months of on-the-job training. This short turnaround time is one of the reasons for the allure of truck driving. It’s one of the fastest routes to a skilled trade job.
What hours do truck drivers work?
Truckers should expect to work odd hours, including nights and weekends. Federal drivers regulate truck driver hours and require regular rest periods. The hours can be demanding and frequently involve overtime.
What skills and qualities would make someone a good fit for this job? Successful truck drivers:
- Enjoy driving
- Don’t mind being from home
- Can sit for long periods
- Have good hearing and vision
- Like being alone
- Have good hand-eye coordination and quick reaction times
- Are safety conscious
