Freight Handler PT

Forward Air Corporation; Pooler (GA); On-site; USD 22,041 - 30,307; Full time

Job summary

Forward Air Corporation in Pooler, GA is seeking a Forklift Operator to safely load, unload, and move freight within a multimodal terminal. You will operate sit‑down and stand‑up forklifts, scan cargo, and document shipments while maintaining productivity and accuracy.

The role requires a valid forklift certification, 3+ years of dock or warehouse experience, strong English communication, and physical stamina for 8–12 hour shifts.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED preferred but not required.
• Valid forklift certification or ability to obtain before operating equipment.
• 3+ years of dock or warehouse experience required.
• Proficient in English communication, both verbal and written.
• Ability to lift up to 75 lbs with assistance or mechanical aids.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload freight using sit‑down/stand‑up forklifts and reach trucks and other material handling equipment.
• Move, stage, sort, and position freight between dock doors, trailers, and designated areas.
• Pick, pack, and prepare items for shipping and delivery.
• Assist drivers with loading/unloading following safety procedures.
• Label, scan, and track freight to ensure accuracy and documentation integrity.
• Identify damaged freight and report issues or unsafe conditions to supervision.

Skills

English communication

Numerical ability

Reliability / attendance

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Handheld scanners

Freight-tracking devices

Job description

The Forklift Operator is responsible for the safe, accurate, and efficient loading, unloading, staging, scanning, and movement of freight within a multimodal transportation terminal, intermodal yard, warehouse, or dock environment. As a certified forklift operator, they provide accurate loading, unloading, movement, and documentation of cargo/freight, directly contributing to productivity, workflow coordination, and freight integrity. They may also mentor, guide, and onboard new Material Handlers and solve complex operational problems on the floor.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload freight using sit‑down/stand‑up forklifts and reach trucks, along with other appropriate material handling equipment such as pallet jacks, carts, and dollies, and approved physical lifting techniques.
• Move, stage, sort, and position freight between dock doors, trailers, and designated warehouse areas in accordance with operating procedures.
• Pick, pack, and prepare items for shipping and delivery.
• Assist drivers with loading and unloading activities following dock and safety procedures.
• Label, scan, and track freight using handheld scanning devices and company systems to ensure accuracy and documentation integrity.
• Identify damaged freight and promptly report issues, unsafe conditions, or equipment concerns to supervisory personnel.
• Abide by all company safety policies, OSHA requirements, and PPE standards.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized dock environment, including work areas, tools, and material handling equipment.
• Perform tasks under appropriate supervision while learning equipment operation, safety protocols, and job procedures (for developing roles).
• Support dock productivity, workflow efficiency, and overall operational goals.
• Work assigned schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime based on business needs.
• Safely and accurately handle oversized, high‑value, or complex freight.
• Assist with dock coordination, workflow management, and problem resolution.
• Prioritize freight and coordinate task assignments, sometimes acting in a lead capacity (without direct supervisory responsibility).
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert on dock operations, equipment, and procedures.
• Train, mentor, and support the development of other Material Handlers.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) / equivalent preferred but not required.
• Certification / Licensure: Valid forklift certification / licensure (or ability to obtain before operating equipment) required.
• Experience: 3+ years of dock or warehouse experience required.
• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing, to understand safety and operational instructions, work assignments, and freight documentation.
• Ability to recognize numbers, labels, barcodes, and freight markings accurately, and to perform basic arithmetic to verify freight counts, quantities, and weights.
• Basic arithmetic skills to verify freight counts, quantities, and weights.
• Technology: Willingness and ability to learn and use basic computer systems, handheld scanners, and freight‑tracking devices.
• Equipment: Ability to safely operate material handling equipment (MHE) such as pallet jacks, dollies, hand trucks, order pickers, pallet riders, conveyors, dock plates, dock levelers, sit‑down/stand‑up forklifts and reach trucks (with company‑assisted certification/training), and/or other specialized MHE as required by the site.
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Physical Demands: Extensive standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and twisting for 8‑12 hours per shift, with the ability to lift, push, pull, and carry freight up to 50 lbs without assistance, and occasional lifting of freight up to 75 lbs with assistance or mechanical aids throughout each 8‑12 hour shift, multiple times per week.
• Vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills sufficient to work safely in a noisy dock environment.
• Environment: Ability to work safely around moving equipment, vehicles, and freight in a non‑climate‑controlled environment, including frequent exposure to temperature extremes (both hot and cold), occasional outdoor work and/or exposure to precipitation (rain, sleet, snow, etc.), regular exposure to moving equipment, vehicle traffic, exhaust, dust, and moderate to loud noise.