Production Driver in Marshall, California at Hog Island Oyster Company Inc

Job Title: Production Driver

Department: Production

Employment Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Marshall Farm Manager

Location: Production - Marshall; regular travel to Humboldt

Works with: Nursery and Maintenance General Manager

Direct Reports: None

Who We Are:

Hog Island Oyster Co. is one of the nation's leading producers of sustainable shellfi sh and a pioneer in bay-to-bar dining. With oyster farms on Tomales Bay and Humboldt Bay, restaurants throughout Northern California, retail operations, tours, events, and e-commerce partnerships, we're committed to creating exceptional guest experiences while protecting the environment and supporting our communities.

We strive to cultivate a great farm-to-plate experience. We help and take care of each other, our customers, our communities, and our planet—and we have a lot of fun doing it.

Job Summary:

The Production Driver safely and effi ciently transports live shellfi sh, seed, farm equipment, gear, supplies, and other materials between Hog Island's Marshall and Humboldt farms and designated transfer points. The employee operates assigned trucks and trailers, including a fl atbed truck and gooseneck trailer, and is responsible for safe loading, cargo securement, transportation, unloading, product protection, and required records.

This is a part-time, variable-schedule position based on production, planting, harvest, and transportation needs. Assignments may range from one to four days per week and may include early starts and extended same-day travel. The driver works independently for extended periods while maintaining timely communication with farm management and following all applicable safety, break, and fatigue-management requirements.

Essential Duties + Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Transportation and Vehicle Safety

• Safely operate assigned trucks and trailers between the Marshall farm, Humboldt farm, and designated pickup, delivery, or transfer locations.

• Transport oysters, seed, farm gear, equipment, supplies, and other materials as directed by Farm Management.

• Perform and document required pre-trip and post-trip inspections, including tires, wheels, lights, brakes, coupling and hitch components, safety chains, mirrors, fluids, emergency equipment, and cargo securement.

• Load, distribute, secure, transport, and unload cargo using appropriate equipment and methods; reinspect the load during the trip when required or conditions change.

• Verify that the vehicle, trailer, hitch, tires, axles, and load remain within all manufacturer, route, legal, and company weight and operating limits. Do not depart when equipment, securement, weight, documentation, or conditions are unsafe or noncompliant.

• Operate defensively in traffic and in changing weather, road, parking, and marine-farm conditions; comply with applicable traffic, commercial-vehicle, and workplace-safety requirements.

• Stop work and promptly report fatigue, unsafe conditions, defects, accidents, vehicle damage, equipment failures, spills, cargo concerns, or other hazards to Farm Management.

• Keep the truck and trailer clean, orderly, fueled, and ready for service; promptly communicate maintenance or repair needs and do not operate equipment with an unresolved safety-critical defect.

Product Handling, Food Safety, and Quality Control

• Handle and transport live shellfish in accordance with Hog Island's current HACCP plan, shellfish-handling procedures, sanitation requirements, and training.

• Maintain, monitor, and document product temperatures and cold-chain controls according to the current HACCP plan and supervisor instructions; promptly escalate any deviation.

• Inspect bags, boxes, containers, labels, tags, and product condition before departure and at delivery; segregate and report damaged, contaminated, missing, or otherwise nonconforming product.

• Protect shellfish from contamination and physical damage; place product carefully in approved containers and never throw product.

• Clean and sanitize vehicles, containers, gloves, wet gear, and other food-contact or product-handling equipment according to established procedures.

• Follow pickup, receiving, traceability, chain-of-custody, and transfer procedures for Hog Island product and product originating from other farms or states.

• Confirm delivery or transfer with the designated recipient and promptly communicate shortages, discrepancies, temperature concerns, rejected product, or service issues.

Communication, Records, and Farm Support

• Maintain complete and accurate trip, mileage, fuel, inspection, delivery, pickup, temperature, time, and other required records; submit records on time.

• Keep Farm Management informed of departure and arrival times, delays, route or weather conditions, delivery status, and problems encountered during an assignment.

• Coordinate respectfully with Marshall and Humboldt farm teams, other drivers, vendors, partner farms, customers, and members of the public.

• Assist with loading, unloading, moving, staging, and organizing product, gear, equipment, and supplies at farms or transfer locations.

• Adapt to reasonable schedule and route changes caused by production needs, weather, road conditions, or other operational circumstances.

• Follow Hog Island policies, food-safety procedures, the Employee Handbook, and all required training; contribute to a culture of teamwork, care, professionalism, and fun.

• Perform other related duties as assigned, consistent with the position's general scope.

Measurements of Success:

• Deliveries and transfers are completed safely, accurately, and on time, with delays communicated promptly.

• Product is protected and transported in compliance with the current HACCP plan and quality standards.

• Vehicle, trip, time, inspection, temperature, and delivery records are complete, accurate, and timely.

• Cargo securement, vehicle condition, and housekeeping meet company requirements.

• Communication is clear, professional, and responsive.

• Attendance and punctuality reliably support scheduled assignments.

Required Qualifications:

• Valid California Class A Commercial Driver License maintained in good standing and appropriate for the assigned vehicle and trailer, including any applicable endorsements and restrictions.

• Current medical qualification or certification when required for the assigned vehicle or operation.

• Driving record that satisfies applicable legal requirements and Hog Island's job-related driver and insurance eligibility standards.

• Demonstrated ability to safely operate, back, park, couple, uncouple, and maneuver the assigned truck and gooseneck trailer.

• Working knowledge of load distribution, rated tie-downs, cargo securement, vehicle inspections, and safe loading and unloading practices.

• Ability to work independently, use sound judgment, follow written and verbal instructions, and communicate promptly with Farm Management.

• Ability to maintain accurate records and use required communication, navigation, inspection, or timekeeping tools.

• Ability to work a variable part-time schedule and reliably report for accepted assignments.

Strongly Preferred:

• Two years of commercial or combination-vehicle driving experience.

• Experience towing and maneuvering gooseneck trailers and securing heavy or irregularly shaped cargo.

• Experience transporting agricultural, aquaculture, seafood, live, or other perishable products.

• Familiarity with routes between Marin County and Humboldt County.

• HACCP, shellfish-handling, or food-safety experience; Hog Island-specific training will be provided.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described below are representative of the essential functions of the position. Hog Island will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would create an undue hardship.

• Frequently sit and drive for extended periods; use hands and feet to operate vehicle controls; and remain alert to traffic, road, equipment, and pedestrian hazards.

• Frequently enter and exit trucks and other equipment using three points of contact; stand, walk, bend, reach, grasp, push, and pull during inspections, loading, unloading, and farm support work.

• Repeatedly lift, carry, position, and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds; use team lifting or mechanical assistance when appropriate.

• Communicate with coworkers and others and inspect vehicles, cargo, labels, gauges, controls, roadway conditions, and safety hazards, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of conditions encountered while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made where required.

• Regular highway and local-road travel, including traffic, limited parking, changing road conditions, early starts, and variable weather.

• Work around moving vehicles, trailers, forklifts, machinery, uneven or slippery surfaces, and active farm operations.

• Exposure to wet conditions, cold and heat, sun, wind, dirt, dust, fumes, odors, cleaning and sanitation products, and moderate to high noise levels.

• Required use of assigned personal protective equipment and compliance with Hog Island safety, heat-illness, emergency, and incident-reporting procedures.

This job description identifies the position's principal functions and is not an exhaustive list of every duty, responsibility, skill, or working condition. Duties may be modified to meet business needs, consistent with applicable law. This document does not create an employment contract or alter the at-will employment relationship.