Safety Specialist

About the role

The DOT Driver Processing and Onboarding Coordinator oversees end-to-end driver processing, onboarding, and regulatory compliance in support of transportation operations. This role helps ensure adherence to DOT, FMCSA, and company safety standards while maintaining audit-ready records, reducing risk, and supporting operational readiness. The coordinator also serves as a subject matter resource for driver qualification and compliance. Through strong regulatory knowledge, analytical review, and disciplined process execution, this role promotes accuracy, timeliness, and consistency across driver records and related systems.

Work arrangement: Operates in a hybrid or remote environment based on business needs. Collaboration expectations: Requires frequent coordination with drivers, operations teams, and safety partners. Operating pace: Functions in a fast-paced, process-driven environment that demands timely and accurate execution.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full driver onboarding process, from application review through qualification and activation
• Perform and verify all required driver qualifications and onboarding steps, including:
  • Company Hiring Criteria: Confirm that the driver meets all company hiring requirements before moving forward in the onboarding process.
  • Drug & Alcohol Screening: Verified negative pre-employment drug test before any safety-sensitive work
  • License & Driving Record Review: MVRs from each state of licensure for the past three years
  • Additional Screening: PSP review, if required by company policy; Criminal background check, if required by policy or customer requirements
  • Employment & Safety History: Previous employer and DOT-regulated safety performance history inquiries for the past three years, including required drug and alcohol history
  • Clearinghouse Review: Full pre-employment FMCSA Clearinghouse query with documented consent
  • CDL & Qualification Verification: Valid CDL status, endorsements, restrictions, and assigned equipment eligibility; Road test certificate or equivalent qualification documentation, as applicable
  • Medical Qualification: Verify pre-employment physical meets medical certification requirements and any required variance or exemption documentation.
  • Training Verification: Entry-level driver training (ELDT), when applicable
• Execute FMCSA Clearinghouse queries and document compliance determinations
• Assess driver eligibility against regulatory requirements, including English proficiency standards
• Coordinate and track medical certifications and pre-employment physicals