Yard Hostler Position Local CDL-A

CDL-A Yard Jockey / Hostler – Idaho Falls, ID | Home Daily

Hiring Area: Idaho Falls, ID • Terminal: Local industrial & warehouse yards

Idaho Falls, ID Yard Operations 2020–2025 Day Cabs

Keep 48- and 53-foot trailers moving between docks, staging rows and maintenance spots at Idaho Falls food and distribution facilities. Hourly pay with home every night and no highway linehaul.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,250–$1,450
Annualized: ~$65K–$75K based on typical hours
Base Pay $27.50 / hr
Overtime $41.25 / hr after 40
Typical Hours 44–48 hrs / week
Home Time Home Daily
Sign-On Bonus $1,000

What the Yard Work Involves

Precision trailer control inside confined warehouse yards is the core of this role. Highway miles are not part of the day.

  • Spot 48- and 53-foot trailers at loading docks and staging rows.
  • Move loaded and empty trailers between dock doors, staging areas and yard positions.
  • Couple and uncouple trailers and connect air and electrical lines safely.
  • Verify trailer numbers, door assignments and outbound staging instructions.
  • Perform pre-shift equipment checks and report defects before moving a trailer.
  • Coordinate yard priorities with warehouse staff and the yard supervisor.

Hourly Compensation Details

All yard movements are paid hourly. Overtime applies after 40 hours. A $1.50 night differential is added on qualifying evening or overnight coverage.

Base Rate $27.50 / hour
Overtime Rate $41.25 / hour after 40 hours
Night Differential $1.50 / hour on qualifying shifts
Typical Weekly Gross $1,250–$1,450 (approx. 44–48 hours)
Annualized Range ~$65,000–$75,000 based on typical hours
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 ($250 at 30 days, $250 at 90 days, $500 at 180 days)

Shift Pattern & Home Time

Home Time Home Daily
Operating Area Idaho Falls industrial and warehouse facilities
Weekly Hours Typically 44–48 hours
Common Start Times 5:00 AM–7:00 AM; night and swing coverage available
Schedule Type Normally five shifts per week

Tractors & Trailers Used

Tractors 2020–2025 Freightliner Cascadia and International LT day cabs
Transmission Automatic
Features Air-ride suspension, ELD, electronic DVIR, backup camera on some units
Assignment Yard-assigned day cab; may swap when unit is in maintenance
Trailers Primarily 53-ft dry vans, selected 48-ft units, food-grade or temperature-controlled when required

Drivers inspect landing gear, tires, lights, glad hands, fifth-wheel lock, kingpin engagement and seals before every move. Maintenance issues are reported through the company channel.

Freight & Yard Traffic

The yard jockey handles only the first and last few hundred yards of freight movements. Highway linehaul is performed by regional drivers.

  • Packaged food products, shelf-stable goods and agricultural commodities
  • Produce-related and refrigerated food trailers when the customer requires temperature control
  • Building materials, packaging, industrial supplies and general dry freight
  • Consumer goods and warehouse replenishment loads
  • Inbound empties, outbound staged loads and empty trailer returns
  • The yard supports linehaul freight moving toward Pocatello, Salt Lake City, Boise, Twin Falls and Montana markets, but the yard jockey does not normally run these highway lanes

Typical Shift Flow

  • Check in, inspect the assigned day cab and review the first set of priorities.
  • Pull empty trailers from staging rows and place them at open loading doors.
  • Move completed loads from docks into outbound staging positions.
  • Recover empties and reposition equipment as production or receiving changes.
  • Complete 15–30 meaningful trailer moves on a normal day; more during peak periods.
  • End the shift with a final yard check and post-trip inspection.

About the Carrier

This mid-sized regional carrier operates a local yard team that supports food, agricultural and general warehouse freight in eastern Idaho. The focus is keeping trailers positioned at the correct doors, maintaining outbound staging capacity and coordinating equipment with regional dispatch. Work centers on steady yard volume, safe trailer handling and predictable home-daily schedules rather than long-haul miles.

Benefits & Support

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision options
Retirement 401(k) with company match
Paid Time Off According to company tenure policy
Training Paid orientation, yard-specific backing and coupling refresher
Additional Work uniforms, safety footwear/PPE assistance, company terminal parking

Driver Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical certificate
  • 6 months CDL-A experience preferred; recent graduates considered with strong backing skills
  • Prior yard, hostler, local, delivery or backing experience is a plus
  • Must meet company MVR standards with no disqualifying major violations
  • Comfortable working in tight yards around forklifts and warehouse traffic

Typical Yard Delays

  • Dock congestion when multiple outbound loads finish at the same time
  • Production delays that hold trailers until product is ready
  • Snow, ice and limited visibility that slow winter movements
  • Late regional driver arrivals that shift staging priorities
  • Temporary empty-trailer shortages during peak agricultural periods

Hiring Steps

1
Application
Submit CDL and work history
2
Phone Screen
Review schedule, pay and yard duties
3
Checks
MVR, employment and DOT screening
4
Yard Evaluation
Backing, coupling and trailer placement

Practical Questions

Q: How many trailer moves happen in a normal shift? ▼
Most shifts involve 15–30 meaningful moves. Peak dock activity can increase the number; slower production days reduce it.
Q: Do I ever leave the local industrial area? ▼
Occasional short repositioning between company-controlled yards or nearby customer facilities may occur, but the work remains local.
Q: What if a trailer has damaged landing gear or other defects? ▼
Stop and report it to operations and maintenance. Unsafe equipment is not moved.
Q: Is overtime available every week? ▼
Not guaranteed. A normal week runs roughly 44–48 hours. Peak food and agricultural seasons often add extra hours.
Q: How does winter weather affect the job? ▼
Snow, ice and reduced visibility require slower speeds and extra inspection time around the fifth wheel and dock approaches.
Q: Will I use the same tractor every day? ▼
Usually yes. Maintenance needs may require using another day cab on short notice.

CDL Job Market — Idaho Falls

Eastern Idaho’s CDL-A labor market is smaller than Boise or Salt Lake City yet remains active. Local and regional carriers, private fleets and food-processing operations compete for drivers comfortable with tight yard work and winter conditions. Demand is strongest for hostlers, short-haul operators and regional drivers supporting agriculture, refrigerated commodities and warehouse distribution. Experienced CDL-A drivers with solid backing skills are relatively hard to replace, keeping hiring steady throughout the year. Seasonal harvest and processing peaks create additional openings for home-daily positions.

Location & Freight Market

Idaho Falls anchors eastern Idaho’s food-processing and agricultural logistics network. Potato, dairy and packaged-food facilities generate steady inbound empties and outbound loads that move along I-15 toward Pocatello, Salt Lake City and Montana markets. Warehouse and distribution centers along US-20, US-26 and local industrial corridors handle building materials, consumer goods and wholesale replenishment. Nearby Blackfoot and Pocatello expand the freight base. Seasonal production cycles create predictable volume peaks that keep yard operations and short-haul capacity in continuous demand.

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