Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Dirt Hauler

🎯 Role Definition

The Dirt Hauler (Dump Truck Driver) is responsible for safely transporting dirt, topsoil, aggregates, demolition debris and other bulk materials to and from construction, landscaping, and earthmoving sites. This hands-on role requires professional vehicle operation (CDL Class A/B as required), adherence to DOT and company safety standards, precise load handling and documentation, and close coordination with site supervisors and equipment operators to ensure efficient material flow and on-time project delivery. Ideal candidates demonstrate a safety-first mindset, reliability, mechanical aptitude for basic truck maintenance, and strong communication skills for working across multi-disciplinary job sites.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Construction Laborer transitioning to truck operation
Dump Truck Assistant / Spotter
CDL Trainee or Local Delivery Driver

Advancement To:

Lead Hauler / Senior Dump Truck Operator
Fleet Supervisor or Haul Coordinator
Site Operations Manager or Logistics Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Heavy Equipment Operator (loader, dozer)
Materials Coordinator / Yard Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely operate dump trucks (Class A or B) to haul dirt, topsoil, gravel, stone, construction debris and other materials between yards, quarries and construction or remediation sites while maintaining full compliance with DOT regulations and company safety policies.
Perform thorough pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, identify mechanical defects or safety concerns (brakes, tires, lights, hydraulics), document findings and coordinate timely repairs to maintain safe, roadworthy equipment.
Load and unload bulk materials using precise truck positioning, hydraulic bed controls and collaboration with front-end loaders, excavators, or site crews to ensure even loads and prevent spillage or load shift during transport.
Secure loads properly using tarps, chains, binders and tiedowns, and apply load securement best practices to comply with federal and state highway laws and minimize risk of material loss or roadway contamination.
Complete and maintain accurate hauling documentation including weight tickets, delivery receipts, manifests, bills of lading, load counts and job site sign-in/out sheets to support invoicing and project tracking.
Maintain electronic or handwritten driver logs, hours-of-service records and fuel receipts in accordance with DOT hours-of-service rules and company policy to ensure legal operation and accurate payroll.
Communicate proactively with dispatch, site supervisors and material suppliers regarding load status, ETA updates, route changes, site access constraints and any delays caused by weather or traffic to minimize schedule disruptions.
Plan and execute efficient routing for local and regional hauls using GPS, mapping tools and knowledge of local road restrictions, bridge weight limits and low-clearance hazards to reduce travel time and operating costs.
Coordinate daily with loaders, foremen and site personnel to sequence material deliveries to match production schedules and minimize downtime on active construction or remediation projects.
Operate dump truck hydraulics, tailgates and tarp systems to safely and efficiently deposit materials at specified elevations, slopes and grades while following site compaction or placement instructions.
Adhere to environmental and stormwater controls while hauling and dumping materials, including managing sediment containment, preventing unauthorized discharge and following site-specific erosion control measures.
Assist in staging, spotting and positioning trucks for safe back-up and dumping operations, and act as a spotter when required to maintain safe distances from power lines, equipment and personnel.
Respond to on-site issues such as load contamination, restricted access or rejected loads by documenting discrepancies, notifying supervisors and facilitating corrective actions to maintain project quality.
Perform minor vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting (fluid checks, tire pressure, grease points, simple repairs) and escalate complex mechanical problems to fleet mechanics to prevent breakdowns.
Follow confined site access protocols, traffic control plans and flagging instructions while navigating busy job sites, public roadways and temporary road restorations to protect crew and public safety.
Lift, secure and move auxiliary equipment and materials (plywood, stakes, straps, cones) to support efficient unloading operations and site protection during deliveries.
Execute night, early morning or weekend runs as required by project schedules, maintaining high safety and communication standards while operating during non-standard hours.
Provide exemplary customer service to site managers, contractors and homeowners by being punctual, professional, courteous and responsive to delivery instructions and site-specific needs.
Record and report accidents, near-misses, vehicle damage or environmental incidents promptly and accurately, participating in incident investigations and implementing corrective measures as required.
Adhere to company drug and alcohol policies, maintain a clean driving record, and participate in mandated safety trainings, toolbox talks and periodic driver performance reviews.
Manage load weights and truck capacity to avoid overloading, distribute weight properly across axles and ensure compliance with state and federal weight limits and bridge laws.
Support on-site cleanup operations by removing excess material, raking loads to reduce spillage and ensuring access roads and work areas are left in safe, passable condition after deliveries.
Mentor and train junior or new drivers on safe hauling practices, pre-trip inspection routines, site etiquette and company procedures to build an effective and compliant hauling team.
Maintain professional vehicle appearance, secure company materials and signage, and ensure that required safety equipment (reflective vests, cones, first aid kit) is present and functional in the truck.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc hauling requests and last-minute schedule changes by coordinating with dispatch and adjusting routes to meet evolving project needs.
Contribute to the company's safety program by suggesting operational improvements, participating in safety committees and helping update standard operating procedures for hauling.
Collaborate with project managers and materials suppliers to forecast hauling needs, optimize fleet utilization and reduce idle time and empty runs.
Participate in daily toolbox talks, pre-shift safety briefings and weekly route planning to align hauling activities with site production and safety goals.
Assist logistics and yard staff with material staging, stockpile management and reclamation of excess soils or recycled materials when required.
Help quantify materials delivered by reconciling weight tickets and reporting discrepancies to project accounting for timely billing and inventory control.
Provide feedback on road and site conditions that may impact hauling efficiency or safety and recommend corrective measures to site supervisors or fleet managers.
Participate in company training programs to expand skills into related roles such as loader operation, spotter certification or equipment maintenance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Valid CDL Class A or Class B license (state-specific), current medical card (MVR) and clean driving record as required for heavy vehicle operation.
Strong knowledge of DOT hours-of-service regulations, electronic logging device (ELD) operation and proper logkeeping practices.
Proficiency in pre-trip and post-trip inspection protocols, with the ability to identify brake, suspension, lighting and hydraulic system issues.
Load securement skills including tarp operation, tying down bulk loads, use of chains/binders and knowledge of cargo securement regulations.
Experience operating dump truck hydraulics, tailgates and auxiliary systems, including understanding of bed angles and safe unload procedures.
Familiarity with weight ticket reconciliation, scale procedures, manifests and basic documentation for billing and materials tracking.
Competence using GPS units, mobile mapping apps, and route planning tools to navigate local and regional haul routes efficiently.
Basic mechanical aptitude for everyday truck maintenance tasks (fluid checks, greasing, battery and tire care) and ability to communicate repair needs to maintenance teams.
Ability to operate around heavy equipment (loaders, excavators, dozers) and follow signaling/spotting protocols to ensure safe machine interaction.
Knowledge of environmental controls and sediment/erosion prevention measures relevant to hauling and dumping on construction sites.

Soft Skills

Strong safety focus with consistent use of PPE, adherence to site rules and proactive hazard identification.
Excellent communication skills for interacting with dispatch, site supervisors, equipment operators and clients in a professional manner.
Time management and reliability: punctuality, consistent attendance and the ability to meet scheduled pick-up and delivery windows.
Teamwork and collaboration to sequence loads, coordinate with crews and help maintain productive site operations.
Problem-solving and adaptability when encountering access issues, load rejections or routing changes due to weather and traffic.
Attention to detail for accurate logkeeping, load documentation and verification of delivery instructions.
Customer service orientation with the ability to represent the company positively at client job sites.
Physical stamina and dexterity to climb in/out of trucks, manage tie-downs, and work in varied weather conditions.
Stress tolerance and composure when managing tight schedules, heavy traffic or unexpected site constraints.
Mentorship and coaching abilities to support training of new drivers and promote safe workplace culture.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED (or equivalent experience in heavy vehicle operation)

Preferred Education:

Vocational or technical certificate in heavy equipment operation, commercial driving or construction-related fields
Additional safety certifications (OSHA 10/30, HAZWOPER awareness, DOT compliance training)

Relevant Fields of Study:

Heavy Vehicle Operation
Construction Technology / Construction Management
Logistics and Transportation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years operating dump trucks, heavy vehicles or commercial trucks in construction, landscaping, aggregate or waste hauling.

Preferred: 3+ years of proven experience as a dump truck driver or dirt hauler on commercial construction sites, demonstrated DOT compliance, experience with weight ticket procedures, and prior work coordinating directly with site superintendents and equipment operators. Additional experience with local hauling routes, fleet maintenance communication and supervisory responsibilities is a plus.