🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Jacksonville, FL
- Route type: Port yard spotting operations
- Freight: Ocean containers (empty & loaded import/export)
- Schedule: Rotating shifts supporting 24/7 vessel operations
📋 Job Description
- Spot 30–60 containers per shift between docks, staging lanes, and storage yards using terminal tractors.
- Perform drop-and-hook operations on container chassis while coordinating with crane operators and gate personnel.
- Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections on Ottawa and Freightliner yard trucks with Samsara telematics.
- Execute precise backing maneuvers into dock doors and staging positions during peak vessel discharge periods.
- Update YMS with container numbers and locations while verifying seals and chassis condition.
- Reposition chassis and transfer units across Blount Island and Talleyrand terminals under 3 miles per move.
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
Yard or port spotting experience preferred; TWIC Card required
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Frequent coupling/uncoupling, yard maneuvering, and dock backing
Endorsements
None required beyond standard CDL-A
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Dedicated yard tractors assigned by shift and terminal needs
- Fleet average age: 4–6 years with mix of Ottawa terminal tractors and Freightliner yard trucks
- Features: Proximity alarms, 360° cameras, low-speed collision warnings, Samsara yard telematics
- Transmission type: Automatic low-speed yard configurations
- Maintenance program: Hybrid in-house and vendor support with rapid turnaround for port uptime
🏠 Home Time
- Drivers return home daily after completing final container staging and equipment shutdown procedures.
- Dispatch releases follow vessel offload completion and yard balance requirements.
- Rotating shift schedules adjust around peak port activity and quieter intervals.
- Weekend coverage follows port vessel arrival patterns with planned rotation.
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Blount Island Vessel Dock → Container Staging Lanes → Terminal Yard (short reposition)
- Talleyrand Marine Terminal → Chassis Storage → Rail Transfer Point (yard move)
- Import Unload Area → Outbound Dispatch Zone → Nearby Storage Lot (under 2 miles)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is a TWIC Card required for this yard spotter position?
Yes, a valid TWIC Card is mandatory for access to Jacksonville port terminals and secure yard areas.
How many container moves do drivers typically complete per shift?
Drivers normally handle 30–60 container moves depending on vessel arrivals and port congestion levels.
What type of equipment will I operate?
You will operate a mix of Ottawa terminal tractors and Freightliner yard trucks with automatic transmissions.
Are the shifts rotating and do they include weekends?
Yes, positions follow rotating day/night schedules aligned with vessel operations including weekend rotations.
Is overtime available and how is it paid?
Overtime is paid for hours beyond 40 and is common during peak vessel discharge windows.
Do drivers need prior port or yard experience?
Port or yard spotting experience is preferred. Paid training is provided for qualified CDL-A drivers with TWIC.
💼 Career Opportunities
This yard spotter role serves as a strong entry point into Jacksonville's robust port and intermodal logistics network. Successful drivers often advance from yard operations into dedicated drayage runs or local chassis delivery positions within the same terminal ecosystem. The port's consistent vessel traffic creates stable demand for skilled operators who understand container flow, TWIC protocols, and terminal procedures. From here, internal pathways frequently open to dispatcher roles, yard supervisor positions, or trainer opportunities within larger 3PL and carrier operations serving the Southeast. Jacksonville's strategic location on the East Coast supports long-term career growth in intermodal freight, with opportunities to build specialized port credentials that enhance earning potential and job security in one of the busiest container gateways in the region.
🔗 Local CDL-A Port Container Yard Spotter Driver – Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville CDL-A drivers are essential to keeping the port's container operations running efficiently. This yard spotter position focuses on short-distance terminal moves of ocean containers between docks, staging areas, and storage yards at facilities like Blount Island and Talleyrand Marine Terminal. With weekly pay of $1,250–$1,600, home daily scheduling, and a $750 sign-on bonus, the role delivers predictable earnings without long-haul commitments. Drivers work with modern yard tractors equipped with safety technology while coordinating closely with port personnel during vessel discharge cycles. The position requires a valid CDL-A and TWIC Card, with yard experience preferred. Jacksonville's growing intermodal activity provides steady work and advancement opportunities within the local logistics sector. Based on variable weekly hours depending on warehouse cycle demand and vessel schedules.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Local CDL-A Port Container Yard Spotter Driver in Jacksonville, FL.