Freight Handler

About the role

The Forklift Operator ensures the safe, accurate, and efficient loading, unloading, staging, scanning, and movement of freight within a multimodal transportation terminal, intermodal yard, warehouse, or dock environment. As experienced team members, they contribute to productivity, workflow coordination, and freight integrity, often mentoring new Material Handlers and solving complex operational problems.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload freight using sit-down/stand-up forklifts, reach trucks, pallet jacks, carts, dollies, and approved lifting techniques.
• Move, stage, sort, and position freight between dock doors, trailers, and designated warehouse areas following operating procedures.
• Pick, pack, and prepare items for shipping and delivery.
• Assist drivers with loading and unloading activities while adhering to dock and safety procedures.
• Label, scan, and track freight using handheld devices and company systems to ensure accuracy and documentation integrity.
• Identify damaged freight and report unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, or operational issues to supervisors.
• Comply with all company safety policies, OSHA requirements, and PPE standards.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized dock environment, including work areas, tools, and equipment.
• Perform tasks under supervision while learning equipment operation, safety protocols, and job procedures (for developing roles).
• Support dock productivity, workflow efficiency, and overall operational goals.
• Work assigned schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime based on business needs.
• Safely and accurately handle oversized, high-value, or complex freight.
• Assist with dock coordination, workflow management, and problem resolution.
• Prioritize freight and coordinate task assignments, sometimes acting in a lead capacity without direct supervisory responsibility.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on dock operations, equipment, and procedures.
• Train, mentor, and support the development of other Material Handlers.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED/equivalent preferred but not required.
• Valid forklift certification/licensure (or ability to obtain before operating equipment) required.
• 3+ years of dock or warehouse experience required.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing, to understand safety and operational instructions, work assignments, and freight documentation.
• Ability to recognize numbers, labels, barcodes, and freight markings accurately and perform basic arithmetic to verify freight counts, quantities, and weights.
• Willingness and ability to learn and use basic computer systems, handheld scanners, and freight-tracking devices.
• Ability to safely operate material handling equipment (MHE) such as pallet jacks, dollies, hand trucks, order pickers, pallet riders, conveyors, dock plates, dock levelers, sit-down/stand-up forklifts, and reach trucks (with company-assisted certification/training).
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Physical Demands

• Extensive standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and twisting for 8-12 hours per shift.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry freight up to 50 lbs without assistance, with occasional lifting up to 75 lbs using assistance or mechanical aids.
• Vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills sufficient to work safely in a noisy dock environment.

Work Environment

• Non-climate-controlled environment with frequent exposure to temperature extremes (hot and cold).
• Occasional outdoor work and exposure to precipitation (rain, sleet, snow).
• Regular exposure to moving equipment, vehicle traffic, exhaust, dust, and moderate to loud noise.

Pay

$21.56 per hour

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–6:30 PM