Yard Jockey

A Yard Jockey works with heavy machinery within a specific area, moving items from one place to another. Your exact equipment will vary depending on the setting you work in (which could be a warehouse, construction site, factory, or storage yard—hence the title), but, as a Yard Jockey, you may need to operate anything from a forklift to a truck to a tractor.

You do what you’re told, go where you’re asked, and move what you’re supposed to, and it’s in this way that you’re a Jockey, changing locations constantly and moving items regularly. Basically, you have to perform the tasks that your Managers need done. Your most important job as a Yard Jockey, however, is to operate the heavy machinery at your disposal, carefully and with precision. Your ability to maneuver the vehicles into tight spots while handling objects is paramount.

Your day starts when your boss gives you a list of assignments for your shift. Your goal is to transport all of the items on that list to and from the locations specified without incident—to yourself, other workers, or the (possibly fragile) items.

Along the way, you document times, weights, and/or crates or pallets. You inspect each load for accuracy (you want to make sure you’re moving only the items you’re supposed to) and security (no objects should fall off when moving from point A to point B). Then you transport the items carefully to their new location. You may also be asked to perform routine maintenance on your equipment, so some mechanical ability is important.