Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Yard Jockey

🎯 Role Definition

A Yard Jockey (also known as a Yard Hostler or Yard Tractor Operator) is responsible for safe and efficient movement, staging, and organization of trailers and equipment inside a terminal, distribution center, or yard. The Yard Jockey operates yard trucks/tractors to couple and uncouple trailers, stages trailers at docks for safe loading/unloading, performs routine pre- and post-trip inspections, documents yard activity in a Yard Management System (YMS) or logbook, and works closely with dock teams, yard supervisors, and drivers to maintain continuous yard flow and on-time freight movement. This role emphasizes safety, attention to detail, and punctual execution of trailer moves to support warehouse and transportation operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / Material Handler with experience in dock work and staging
Local Delivery Driver (non-CDL) or CDL Driver looking to transition to terminal operations
Fleet Maintenance or Equipment Operator (forklift/yard equipment)

Advancement To:

Lead Yard Jockey / Senior Hostler
Yard Supervisor / Yard Operations Manager
Fleet or Terminal Operations Manager
Logistics Coordinator or Dispatch Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Dock Supervisor / Shipping & Receiving Lead
Yard Management System (YMS) Administrator or Terminal Clerk

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate yard tractors, shuttle tractors, or yard trucks to safely move, stage, and position semi-trailers and chassis across the yard and docks, ensuring accurate placement for loading and unloading.
Couple and uncouple trailer combinations using industry-standard procedures and ensure landing gear, kingpin, and fifth-wheel connections are secure before moving.
Perform thorough pre-trip, post-trip, and daily safety inspections of yard equipment and trailers (tires, lights, brakes, fluid levels, securement devices), documenting defects and initiating repair or service requests when needed.
Stage inbound trailers to assigned docks according to load priority, pickup schedules, and warehouse staging directives to maximize dock throughput and minimize detention time.
Communicate continuously with dock personnel, dispatch, and inbound/outbound drivers via two-way radio, mobile devices, or YMS entries to confirm trailer identity, location, and handling instructions.
Use Yard Management System (YMS), terminal software, or handheld scanners to log moves, update trailer status, capture seal numbers, and generate move confirmations for operational and audit purposes.
Execute safe spot-ups and drop-and-hook procedures, verifying trailer numbers, load manifests, and seal integrity prior to release or pickup.
Maintain accurate daily logs, timecards, and paper or electronic movement records to support billing, claims, and KPI reporting such as moves per hour and dwell time.
Follow DOT, OSHA, and company-specific safety policies when operating vehicles and when performing coupling, uncoupling, and manual handling tasks to mitigate injury and liability.
Inspect and secure cargo tie-downs, load locks, and trailer doors as needed when moving partially loaded trailers or high-value freight to avoid cargo shift or damage.
Provide courteous and professional interactions with outside carriers, owner-operators, and company drivers while coordinating trailer exchanges and staging priorities.
Assist with yard inventory audits and cycle counts by identifying trailer locations, verifying bill of lading (BOL) details, and physically tagging or reporting mismatches to management.
Respond quickly to urgent staging requests, re-staging requirements, or emergency moves to support time-sensitive shipments and reduce operational bottlenecks.
Operate auxiliary yard equipment (spotters, tugmasters, pallet jacks, stackers) safely as required to facilitate trailer loading/unloading or chassis handling.
Participate in shift handovers and communicate open issues, outstanding defects, and special handling instructions to the incoming yard crew to ensure continuity of operations.
Adhere to environmental and fuel-handling procedures when refueling yard tractors or servicing equipment, ensuring spill prevention and waste disposal compliance.
Support the safe and legal movement of refrigerated (reefer) trailers, monitoring power connections and communicating with maintenance when reefer units require service.
Monitor yard congestion and proactively re-sequence trailers to optimize flow and reduce blocking of docks, entrances, or safety lanes.
Assist in maintaining yard cleanliness, signage, and traffic control devices (cones, barriers) to ensure pedestrian and vehicle safety and compliance with site standards.
Participate in incident investigations by providing accurate statements, move logs, and any relevant documentation when accidents, damage, or cargo loss occurs in the yard.
Provide basic troubleshooting of yard tractor mechanical issues (battery, lights, minor hydraulic leaks) and coordinate with mechanics for major repairs, minimizing downtime.
Train and mentor new yard jockeys or temporary staff on yard procedures, safe equipment operation, and YMS entry standards to increase crew competency and consistency.
Comply with hours-of-service rules (if applicable), company attendance and punctuality policies, and participate in required safety and skills training programs.
Support cross-functional tasks such as assisting dock teams during peak volumes, helping inventory teams with physical counts, and temporarily covering dispatch duties when needed.

Secondary Functions

Collaborate with dispatch and logistics planners to identify opportunities for improved yard flow and to incorporate carrier appointment windows into movement plans.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives such as move-reduction projects, dock balancing, and standard operating procedure updates to improve efficiency and reduce dwell times.
Assist operations managers with ad-hoc reporting requests by validating trailer location data and move histories in the YMS to support audits and KPI analyses.
Provide feedback on equipment suitability and yard layout to maintenance and facility teams to support long-term infrastructure improvements.
Help onboard new drivers by demonstrating facility access procedures, gate check-in processes, and required paperwork handling.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Safe operation of yard tractors, shuttle tractors, tugmasters, and yard spotters with documented experience in coupling and uncoupling trailers.
Proficient in using Yard Management Systems (YMS) or TMS modules for trailer moves, status updates, and manifest reconciliation.
Pre-trip and post-trip inspection competency including reporting defects and basic vehicle checks (tires, brakes, lights, fluid levels).
Basic knowledge of DOT regulations, OSHA yard safety standards, and securement practices for over-the-road and terminal operations.
Experience with handheld scanners, RF devices, barcode scanning, and mobile apps for trailer identification and data capture.
Ability to read and verify Bills of Lading (BOL), trailer numbers, seal numbers, and load handling instructions.
Familiarity with drop-and-hook and live-load/unload processes and associated paperwork.
Basic emergency response know-how for spills, trailer fires, and accident scene preservation.
Experience operating auxiliary equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks) is a plus for multi-functional yard roles.
Working knowledge of trailer types (dry van, reefer, flatbed, chassis) and their specific handling requirements.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately log trailer information and notice small discrepancies that impact load security or billing.
Excellent verbal communication and radio etiquette for clear coordination with dock, dispatch, and outside drivers.
Time management and prioritization skills to manage multiple trailer moves in a high-throughput environment.
Dependability and attendance reliability, including flexibility for early shifts, late shifts, or extended hours during peak periods.
Situational awareness and safety-first mindset to proactively identify hazards and intervene when unsafe practices are observed.
Teamwork and collaboration to work smoothly with warehouse staff, drivers, and supervisors under busy, deadline-driven conditions.
Problem-solving and adaptability to re-sequence moves when unexpected delays, damaged trailers, or staffing gaps occur.
Customer-service orientation when interacting with owner-operators, carriers, and internal stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Technical certificate or vocational training in logistics, transportation, or commercial vehicle operation.
Formal safety training (OSHA 10/30, forklift certification) preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Transportation and Fleet Operations
Automotive Technology / Diesel Mechanics (beneficial)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0 to 5 years in yard operations, terminal spotting, or related material handling roles.

Preferred:

1–3 years of hands-on experience as a Yard Jockey/Yard Hostler or commercial tractor operator.
Experience with Yard Management Systems (YMS), RF scanning, and working in high-volume distribution centers.
Valid state driver's license required; Class A CDL preferred for roles that require road moves or interstate repositioning.
Clean driving record and ability to pass background check and DOT drug/alcohol screening (where applicable).