FAIRWINDS TERMINAL SERVICES
Terminal Operator / CDL Driver
Fairwinds Terminal Services is committed to delivering exceptional service and quality while maintaining the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. We are seeking a dependable, safety-focused Terminal Operator / CDL Driver to join our operations team.
This is a dual-function position responsible for supporting terminal, dock, stevedoring, and cargo-handling operations while also operating commercial motor vehicles to transport cargo, equipment, materials, and supplies as operational needs require. The ideal candidate is comfortable working in a fast-paced maritime and industrial environment and is willing to transition between CDL driving responsibilities and hands-on terminal operations.
Key Responsibilities
Terminal & Cargo Operations
- Safely load and unload vessels, trucks, trailers, and other transport units in support of dock, terminal, and stevedoring operations.
- Operate terminal equipment including forklifts, skid steers, front-end loaders, and other cargo-handling machinery.
- Operate cranes when properly trained, qualified, and authorized.
- Assist with crane signaling, rigging, and cargo movement activities.
- Perform line handling, cargo securing, and general dock support functions.
- Transfer cargo between vessels, storage areas, warehouses, staging areas, and transportation equipment.
- Inspect cargo for damage, discrepancies, or other issues and report concerns to supervision.
- Maintain accurate records of cargo receipts, shipments, inventory, and discrepancies.
- Ensure cargo is handled in accordance with company safety procedures and applicable environmental, maritime, and regulatory requirements.
- Conduct routine pre-use inspections of terminal equipment and report maintenance or safety concerns.
- Perform minor equipment maintenance and general upkeep as appropriate.
- Maintain housekeeping standards throughout docks, warehouses, equipment yards, staging areas, and other work areas.
- Work in cargo holds, on vessel decks, on docks, and alongside waterways in varying weather conditions.
- Communicate effectively with supervisors, equipment operators, vessel crews, drivers, customers, and other team members to ensure safe and coordinated operations.
- Assist with training new team members as needed.
CDL Driving Responsibilities
- Safely operate company commercial motor vehicles to transport cargo, equipment, materials, containers, supplies, or other loads as assigned.
- Perform local and regional driving assignments in support of terminal and company operations.
- Pick up and deliver cargo or equipment between the terminal, customer locations, project sites, warehouses, ports, and other designated locations.
- Conduct required pre-trip and post-trip inspections and document vehicle condition in accordance with company and DOT requirements.
- Ensure loads are properly positioned, distributed, secured, and transported safely.
- Assist with loading and unloading trucks and trailers when required.
- Maintain required driver logs, inspection reports, delivery documentation, bills of lading, and other transportation records.
- Immediately report vehicle defects, accidents, cargo damage, safety concerns, or regulatory issues to management.
- Maintain compliance with applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Transportation (DOT), state, local, port, and company requirements.
- Maintain a valid CDL and all required qualifications necessary to operate assigned commercial motor vehicles.
- Participate in applicable DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements.
- Follow Hours of Service requirements when applicable.
- Maintain safe driving practices both on public roadways and within terminal, port, warehouse, and industrial environments.
- Perform terminal operations and other operational duties when CDL driving assignments are not required.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational objectives.
Position Type
- In-person position; remote work is not available.
- Position combines commercial driving with hands-on terminal and maritime operations.
- Employees should expect duties to vary based on vessel schedules, cargo activity, transportation requirements, and overall operational needs.
Education & Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Previous terminal, port, maritime, warehouse, transportation, heavy equipment, or similar industrial experience preferred.
- Commercial driving experience preferred.
- Prior rigging and forklift experience preferred.
- Prior experience working aboard or around vessels preferred.
- Experience operating heavy equipment or cargo-handling equipment preferred.
Skills & Qualifications
- Strong safety awareness and hazard-recognition skills.
- Ability to safely operate commercial vehicles and industrial equipment.
- Mechanical aptitude and basic equipment troubleshooting skills.
- Knowledge of cargo handling, stevedoring, dock, or terminal operations preferred.
- Understanding of DOT and commercial motor vehicle safety requirements.
- Ability to properly inspect and secure cargo for transportation.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced industrial environment and respond to changing operational priorities.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and maintain accurate operational and transportation records.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with the operations team.
Licensure / Certifications / Credentials
- Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) required.
- CDL Class A preferred if the position will operate combination vehicles requiring a Class A license.
- Must maintain a driving record that meets company and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Must maintain all applicable DOT driver qualifications and medical certification requirements.
- Valid TWIC credential required.
- Forklift, rigging, crane, or other applicable equipment certifications preferred.
- Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and able to provide documentation verifying employment eligibility.
Availability
- Fairwinds Terminal Services operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Must be available to work days, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as operational needs require.
- Work schedules may fluctuate based on vessel arrivals, cargo activity, customer needs, and transportation requirements.
Location / Commuting / Travel
- Primary Worksite: 500 Orapax St., Norfolk, VA 23507.
- Position requires reporting to the terminal and other assigned work locations.
- CDL driving responsibilities may require travel to customer sites, project locations, warehouses, ports, and other facilities.
- Candidates must currently reside within reasonable commuting distance of the Hampton Roads region, including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Newport News, or Portsmouth.
- Candidates are responsible for transportation to and from their assigned work location.
- Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Candidates slightly outside the described region who are comfortable with an extended commute are welcome to apply.
Work Environment
- Outdoor port, dock, warehouse, vessel, and terminal environments.
- Public roadways and customer or project locations while operating commercial vehicles.
- Exposure to varying weather conditions and temperatures.
- Exposure to loud noise, heavy equipment, commercial vehicles, maritime traffic, cargo operations, and moving machinery.
- Work around vessels, cranes, forklifts, trucks, trailers, railcars, and other industrial equipment.
- Work near or over waterways.
- Irregular hours associated with 24/7 terminal and vessel operations.
Essential Physical Functions
- Work in outdoor and industrial environments and tolerate varying weather conditions.
- Enter and exit commercial vehicles and heavy equipment repeatedly throughout a shift.
- Sit for extended periods while operating commercial motor vehicles.
- Walk long distances across terminal grounds, docks, warehouses, yards, and other operational areas.
- Climb stairs, ladders, gangways, vehicle steps, and vessel access points.
- Stand for extended periods while performing terminal and cargo-handling activities.
- Lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment weighing approximately 25–50 pounds on an occasional basis.
- Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, climb, and perform other physical movements necessary for cargo, equipment, and vehicle operations.
- Inspect vehicles, trailers, cargo, and equipment, including accessing areas necessary to perform required pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
- Secure and inspect cargo, including the use of chains, straps, binders, and other load-securement equipment as applicable.
- Safely operate commercial vehicles, terminal vehicles, and authorized equipment.
- Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hat, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing, gloves, and eye and hearing protection.
- Maintain the visual and auditory ability necessary to safely operate vehicles and equipment and maintain situational awareness in a heavy industrial environment.
- Work safely around moving vehicles, heavy equipment, vessels, railcars, cranes, and cargo-handling machinery.
Safety & Compliance
Safety is an essential function of this position. The Terminal Operator / CDL Driver is expected to comply with all Fairwinds Terminal Services policies and applicable federal, state, local, DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, maritime, port, and customer safety requirements. Employees are responsible for immediately reporting unsafe conditions, equipment deficiencies, vehicle concerns, accidents, injuries, cargo damage, and other operational or safety incidents.
Education / Years of Experience
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High school diploma or equivalent; relevant certifications preferred.
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Previous experience in terminal operations or a similar role is a plus.
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Prior rigging and forklift experience preferred
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Prior experience working on vessels preferred
Skills
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Strong safety awareness and hazard recognition
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Mechanical aptitude and equipment operation proficiency
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Knowledge of stevedoring and dock operations
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Strong understanding of safety protocols and procedures.
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Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
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Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
Licensure / Certifications / Credentials
- Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) required.
- CDL Class A preferred if the position will operate combination vehicles requiring a Class A license.
- Must maintain a driving record that meets company and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Must maintain all applicable DOT driver qualifications and medical certification requirements.
- Valid TWIC credential required.
- Forklift, rigging, crane, or other applicable equipment certifications preferred.
- Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and able to provide documentation verifying employment eligibility.
Availability
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Full Time - 7 Days a week - Rotational Shifts : Monday - Sunday
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Overnights and weekends
Location / Commuting / Travel:
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Worksite: 500 Orapax St, Norfolk, VA 23507
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Candidates must currently reside within commuting distance of the Hampton Roads region, including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Newport News, or Portsmouth.
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Candidates are responsible for their own transportation to and from work locations.
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Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Candidates slightly outside the described region who are comfortable with an extended commute are welcome to apply.
Work Environment
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Outdoor port and dock environments
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Exposure to loud noise, heavy equipment, and maritime traffic
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24/7 operations requiring flexible scheduling
Essential Physical Functions
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Ability to work in both office and outdoor industrial environments, including exposure to weather conditions
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Ability to walk long distances across terminal grounds, docks, warehouses, and rail areas
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Ability to climb stairs, ladders, gangways, and vessel access points
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Ability to stand for extended periods during operational inspections or site activities
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Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment up to approximately 25–50 pounds occasionally
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Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and perform physical tasks related to facility oversight
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Ability to operate vehicles safely within the terminal environment
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Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hat, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing, gloves, and eye/hearing protection
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Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to maintain situational awareness in a heavy industrial setting
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Ability to work safely around moving equipment, vessels, railcars, and cargo handling machinery
What We Offer:
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Competitive salary and benefits package.
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Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
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A collaborative and supportive work environment.
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Medical Insurance (3 plans to choose from)
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Dental Insurance
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Vision Insurance
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Company paid life insurance
- Supplemental voluntary life insurance (self, spouse, child and AD&D)
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Accident and Critical Illness insurance
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Company paid Short Term Disability and Long-Term Disability insurance
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Legal Resources Benefits
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Flexible Spending Account
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Health Savings Account
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Paid time off
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Tuition Reimbursement
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Employee Assistance Program
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
