DOT Driver Trainer and Compliance

Harcros Chemicals is an employee-owned chemical manufacturing and distribution company headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, with over a century of industry experience. With operations across North America and a nationwide distribution network, we deliver reliable, high-quality chemical solutions to customers worldwide across industries including water treatment, agriculture, oil and gas, personal care, and more. Safety, sustainability, and exceptional service are at the core of everything we do.

The DOT Driver Trainer and Compliance position is responsible for developing, delivering, managing, and continuously improving comprehensive driver training and compliance programs for Harcros commercial drivers. This position works closely with the Transportation team, Risk Management team, Human Resources, operations leadership, and third-party compliance partners to ensure drivers are properly trained, qualified, and operating in accordance with company standards and applicable DOT, FMCSA, Hazardous Materials, and OSHA requirements.

The DOT Driver Trainer and Compliance position serves as a subject matter resource for commercial driving safety, hazardous materials transportation, hours of service, electronic logging devices, driver qualification requirements, and Harcros-specific driver processes and procedures.

This position is based in Kansas City, Kansas, and requires frequent travel to other company locations to conduct training. Travel frequency will vary based on business needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Develop, coordinate, and deliver initial, recurrent, classroom, and behind-the-wheel training for commercial HazMat drivers in accordance with DOT, FMCSA, and 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart H requirements.
- Develop and maintain driver training materials and Harcros-specific procedures covering vehicle inspections, loading/unloading, cargo handling, documentation, placarding, defensive driving, and emergency response.
- Evaluate driver performance through road tests, ride-alongs, observations, and other assessments; provide coaching, remedial training, and follow-up as needed.
- Support training and compliance related to Hours of Service, Electronic Logging Devices, and fleet safety technology, including Samsara.
- Monitor HOS violations, CSA safety trends, incidents, and other driver performance data to identify training and compliance needs.
- Maintain accurate records of driver training, testing, certifications, and evaluations in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
- Assist with Driver Qualification files for new and existing drivers in partnership with Human Resources and the company’s DQ file management provider.
- Support compliance with DOT, FMCSA, Hazardous Materials, OSHA, and company transportation requirements.
- Prepare reports related to driver training, performance, safety, and compliance activities.
- Stay current on regulatory changes, training methods, defensive driving practices, and transportation safety requirements.
- Partner with Transportation, Safety, HR, and operational leadership to promote safe driving practices and continuous improvement.
- Travel to Harcros facilities as needed to conduct training, evaluations, and compliance activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

- Valid Class A CDL with current HazMat and Tanker endorsements.
- Minimum of 5 years of verifiable commercial driving experience, including HazMat and over-the-road experience.
- Satisfactory driving record and ability to meet applicable DOT driver qualification requirements.
- Strong working knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, Hazardous Materials, Hours of Service, and applicable OSHA requirements.
- Experience using ELDs, telematics, and other fleet safety technology.
- Strong communication, coaching, documentation, and organizational skills.
- Ability to read and interpret regulations, technical procedures, and company policies and translate them into practical training.
- Proficiency with standard computer applications, including word processing and spreadsheets.
- Ability to travel approximately 50%, with additional travel based on business need.

Preferred

- 5–7 years of commercial driving experience.
- Previous experience as a Driver Trainer, DOT Trainer, Transportation Safety Specialist, Fleet Safety Trainer, or similar role.
- Experience conducting road tests, ride-alongs, behind-the-wheel evaluations, or remedial driver training.
- Experience developing or delivering formal commercial driver or safety training programs.
- Experience with Samsara or a similar fleet safety platform.
- Training or demonstrated proficiency in the Smith System or an equivalent defensive driving methodology.
- Experience with chemical transportation, bulk products, packaged hazardous materials, or similar specialized transportation operations.
- High school diploma, GED, or higher education.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

- Regulatory Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H, and hazardous materials transportation requirements.
- Driver Training & Coaching: Ability to effectively train, evaluate, coach, and develop commercial drivers.
- Defensive Driving: Strong knowledge of advanced defensive driving practices, including Smith System or equivalent methodologies.
- Hazardous Materials Expertise: Knowledge of hazard identification, cargo segregation, loading/unloading, placarding, and emergency response.
- Fleet Technology: Proficiency with ELDs, telematics, camera systems, and fleet safety platforms.
- Communication: Ability to clearly communicate expectations, provide constructive feedback, and work effectively with drivers and leadership.
- Problem Solving: Ability to analyze safety, compliance, and performance concerns and identify appropriate corrective actions.
- Organization & Documentation: Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate training and compliance records.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, area, circumference, weight and volume. Ability to apply concepts of algebra, geometry and chemical formulas.  Familiar with metric conversions.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establishes facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

- Ability to use a personal computer with working knowledge of word processing, and spreadsheet software.
- Be able to work with a variety of backgrounds in order to building effective teams.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.  The employee frequently is required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. During inspections the noise level may increase to loud.

WHY JOIN HARCROS CHECMICALS?

- Employee-owned company where your contributions drive shared success
- Competitive pay, bonus opportunities, and vehicle/car allowances for eligible roles
- Comprehensive benefits, including multiple medical plan options, disability coverage, AD&D, and life insurance
- Strong retirement benefits with ESOP participation, 401(k) and Roth options, company contributions, and early vesting
- Access to Lyra mental health and wellness resources for employees and dependents starting day one
- Supportive, team-focused culture that values collaboration and growth
- 10 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
- Opportunity to build a meaningful career with a company committed to excellence