Vacuum Truck Driver

JOB SUMMARY

The Vacuum Truck Driver safely operates assigned Class A or B vacuum equipment to collect, transfer, transport, and deliver or dispose of liquids, sludge, industrial waste, and other approved materials at customer, industrial, cleanup, and emergency-response sites.

This DOT safety-sensitive position is responsible for safe vehicle and material handling, equipment care, accurate documentation, and professional customer service in accordance with applicable laws, site requirements, Colonial procedures, and safety standards.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Safely operate assigned vacuum trucks or combination vehicles in traffic, weather, off-road, and job-site conditions.
• Perform required pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspections of the vehicle, vacuum tank, hoses, pumps, valves, fittings, relief devices, emergency controls, and related equipment.
• Report vehicle or equipment defects, leaks, damage, or unsafe conditions and do not operate unsafe or unlawful equipment.
• Properly position and secure the vehicle and work area before beginning service, including the use of parking brakes, wheel chocks, traffic controls, grounding/bonding, and other required safeguards.
• Verify materials, source and receiving tanks, available capacity, compatibility, destination or approved disposal facility, legal weight, and required documentation before loading or unloading.
• Connect and handle hoses and safely operate vacuum, pumping, suction, and discharge equipment using approved procedures.
• Monitor loading, unloading, and transfer operations to prevent overfills, spills, releases, equipment damage, or mixing of incompatible materials.
• Collect, transport, transfer, and dispose of approved materials only at authorized locations.
• Complete required inspection, service, material, disposal, inventory, and incident records accurately using the ELD, transportation management system, and other assigned systems.
• Comply with applicable DOT, FMCSA, PHMSA, OSHA, EPA, state environmental, hazardous-waste, and company requirements.
• Follow all applicable hours-of-service, ELD, routing, parking, security, documentation, and site-specific requirements.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and promptly report crashes, spills, releases, material errors, equipment defects, exposure concerns, security issues, or other unsafe conditions.
• Perform cleanup and emergency-response duties only within the scope of required training and authorization.
• Complete required initial and recurrent training related to vacuum equipment, regulatory requirements, hazardous materials, cargo tanks, defensive driving, and other applicable areas.
• Follow company safety, coaching, telematics, and video-monitoring policies.
• Maintain a professional appearance and provide courteous, professional customer service.
• Communicate safety or service concerns before proceeding with work.
• Support travel, after-hours work, and emergency or disaster-response assignments as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be able to read and speak English sufficiently to understand instructions, communicate with customers, the public, and officials, and complete required documentation.
• Valid Class A or B CDL appropriate for the assigned vehicle. Tank vehicle (N), hazardous materials (H), or combination (X) endorsements are required when applicable to the equipment or materials being transported.
• Two years of verifiable professional commercial driving experience preferred.
• Must have current DOT medical qualification and meet applicable FMCSA driver-qualification and road-test requirements.
• Must meet Colonial's Driver Eligibility Procedure and applicable insurance/MVR requirements.
• Must successfully complete the required pre-employment drug screening and meet all applicable FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse requirements.
• Must complete required entry-level driver training through an FMCSA-registered provider when applicable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of vacuum truck operation, liquid movement, tank capacity, material compatibility, industrial waste handling, disposal documentation, and job-site safety practices.
• Ability to safely operate and inspect vacuum and pumping equipment.
• Ability to recognize changing conditions and respond appropriately to safety concerns.
• Basic math, computer, ELD, email, and mobile technology skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Strong judgment, situational awareness, reliability, communication, teamwork, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to travel, changing schedules, and varying field conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires the ability to safely perform physical tasks associated with operating and servicing a vacuum truck in industrial and field environments.

• Ability to sit for extended periods while operating a commercial vehicle.
• Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, crouch, kneel, reach, and climb.
• Ability to safely enter and exit commercial vehicle cabs and climb vehicle steps, equipment-access steps, ladders, and work platforms.
• Ability to walk and maintain balance on wet, uneven, slippery, or off-road surfaces.
• Ability to handle, position, connect, and disconnect vacuum, suction, and discharge hoses and related equipment.
• Ability to push, pull, carry, and maneuver hoses, fittings, tools, wheel chocks, and other job-related equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry materials and equipment weighing up to and over 60 pounds as required.
• Ability to reach overhead and work in various physical positions while servicing equipment.
• Ability to perform work outdoors and in varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Ability to safely perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.