Driver (CDL Class A) in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois at Apex Landscaping INC

Title: Driver (CDL Class A)
Reports to: Production Supervisor(s) & Operations Manager
Job Type: Hourly, Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Location: Hawthorn Woods, IL (On-Site)

Hourly Rate: $28.00-$32.00 (Based on Experience)

Apex Landscaping, founded in 1991, has grown from a single summer route into one of Chicagoland’s leading full-service landscaping companies, serving areas from Kenosha, WI to Bolingbrook, IL and west to Elgin. Headquartered in Hawthorn Woods, Apex operates over 200 team members and 40 crews daily in the summer, while also providing full-service snow and ice management in winter. With decades of steady expansion, Apex offers residential, commercial, and multi-family clients comprehensive landscaping, construction, and year-round maintenance services, backed by the resources and stability of a company built for continual growth.

Job Summary: The Driver (CDL Class A) is responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of landscape materials, equipment, and finished goods to customer and job site locations. This position plays a critical role in supporting daily operations by ensuring timely deliveries, maintaining compliance with all federal and state transportation regulations, and providing exceptional customer service during interactions with clients and team members. The ideal candidate is safety-conscious, dependable, detail-oriented, and capable of working efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Transportation & Delivery Operations

• Operate a tractor-trailer and other commercial vehicles in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local transportation regulations.
• Transport materials, equipment, street trees, and other products safely and efficiently to designated delivery locations.
• Plan and follow assigned delivery routes while maintaining compliance with traffic laws and company safety standards.
• Ensure all deliveries are completed accurately, professionally, and within scheduled timeframes.
  Safely maneuver trucks and trailers into loading and unloading zones while following directions from loading crews and site personnel.
• Arrange and position trailers within shipping yards to maximize efficiency and loading productivity.

Loading, Unloading & Equipment Handling

• Assist with the loading and unloading of landscape materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Operate specialized loading and unloading equipment when required and authorized.
• Inspect loads to ensure proper securement and compliance with transportation safety standards.
• Return empty skids, pallets, and equipment to designated storage locations.
• Verify shipment accuracy and report discrepancies to management.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate delivery records, invoices, bills of lading, inspection reports, and other transportation documentation.
• Obtain customer signatures and required delivery confirmations.
• Submit completed paperwork promptly to the shipping office or designated personnel.
• Adhere to Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, company policies, and safety requirements.
• Participate in required safety meetings, training programs, and compliance initiatives.

Vehicle Maintenance & Safety

• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections and document findings.
• Monitor and maintain vehicle fluid levels, tire pressure, and general operating conditions.
• Report mechanical issues, vehicle damage, maintenance concerns, and safety hazards to the Shipping Supervisor immediately.
• Maintain vehicle cleanliness and ensure company equipment remains in good working condition.
• Promote a culture of safety through responsible vehicle operation and adherence to company procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We Offer:

• Insurance: Medical, Dental & Vision
• 401K Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Career Growth Opportunities
• Team-Oriented Work Environment

Core Competencies:

• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to communicate professionally and courteously with customers, vendors, and coworkers.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.

• Ability to remain focused and organized in a fast-paced environment.

• Dependable, punctual, and self-motivated.

• Ability to work independently while supporting a team-oriented operation.

• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Qualifications:

• Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL-Class A) required.
• Current Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT Medical Card) required.
• Clean driving record required.
• Ability to pass all required DOT background screenings, drug testing, and applicable compliance requirements.
• Prior tractor-trailer driving experience preferred.
• Knowledge of DOT regulations, vehicle inspections, and transportation safety practices required.
• Experience operating forklifts, skid steers, or other loading equipment is a plus.
• Previous experienced completing transportation documentation required.
  Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting while driving.
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, squatting, twisting, climbing, and use of hands and feet during loading and unloading activities.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to travel frequently and work extended hours as needed to support operational requirements.

Work Environment: This position is primarily based out of Hawthorn Woods, IL and involves regular travel to customer properties, vendor locations, job sites, and other operational facilities. Work is performed both inside commercial vehicles and outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions. The employee must be comfortable working around heavy equipment, vehicle traffic, and active construction or landscape work areas.

Schedule: The Driver is expected to maintain a regular work schedule as established by management. Start and end times may vary based on delivery schedules, seasonal workloads, weather conditions, and operational demands.

During peak landscaping and snow management seasons, work schedules may require early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime as necessary to support business operations