Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you're empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work.
This position will be located in: Pensacola, FL
Job Summary
The Fleet Safety Observer will support Border States' DOT compliance and fleet safety initiatives across multiple branch locations. This role is designed to provide non-supervisory, observational support to help reinforce proper vehicle inspection procedures, DVIR completion, and safe driving behaviors. The individual will work alongside drivers and supervisors to provide coaching and insights but will not hold any authority to direct, discipline, or manage employees.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Observe driver and fleet safety practices at assigned branch locations.
- Coach drivers and supervisors on vehicle inspections, DVIR completion, and safe operation practices.
- Submit concise written reports summarizing key findings and safety observations after each visit.
- Report urgent or Out-of-Service (OOS) conditions directly to designated leadership contacts.
- Assist in reinforcing DOT basics, Border States fleet expectations, and cultural alignment.
- Always maintain a professional and coaching-focused demeanor.
- Reports will be submitted to the Regional Director and the Director of EHS and DOT Compliance.
- Travel, lodging, and meals will be reimbursed according to company guidelines.
- This is a temporary position with no benefits and ends automatically after the designated period unless extended or terminated earlier.
Scope Limitations
- No supervisory or disciplinary authority.
- Will not operate company vehicles or perform vehicle repairs.
- Cannot access company systems or personnel files.
- Role is strictly advisory and observational - not enforcement-based.
Qualifications
- Prior experience in fleet operations, DOT compliance, or driver training preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Knowledge of DVIR, FMCSA standards, and vehicle safety practices.
- Valid driver's license required.
- Ability to travel to multiple branches across the region.
Skills and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of fleet and driver management.
- Strong understanding of FMSCA and DOT regulations.
- Understanding of commercial motor vehicle inspection and maintenance standards.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, reading, and customer service skills are preferred with the ability to effectively plan and organize.
- Ability to coach and develop strong teams.
- Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged.
- Ability to collaborate and problem solve.
Physical Requirements
Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day:
Occasionally 0 - 33% Frequently34 - 66% Continuously: 67 - 100%
- Lift from Waist:
- < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally
- 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally
- 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
- 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally
- 75 to 100 lbs. - Occasionally
- 100+ lbs. - Occasionally
- Lift from Floor:
- < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally
- 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally
- 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
- 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally
- 75 to 100 lbs. - Occasionally
- 100+ lbs. - Occasionally
- Carried for Distance:
- < than 10 lbs. - Not at all
- 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
- 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
- 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
- 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
- 100+ lbs. - Not at all
Physical Activity
Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day:
- Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - Frequently
- Standing (for sustained periods of time) - Occasionally
- Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - Occasionally
- Bending/stooping (downward and forward) - Occasionally
- Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Occasionally
- Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - Occasionally
- Reaching (extending arms in any direction) - Frequently
- Crouching/squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - Occasionally
- Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - Occasionally
- Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - Frequently
- Repetitive motion (substantial movement (motions) or the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - Occasionally
- Pivoting (movement in any direction with one foot, keeping the other in contact with the floor) - Occasionally
- Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - Occasionally
- Grasping (Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - Continuously
- Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working with primarily fingers and not whole hand) - Frequently
- Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - Occasionally
- Driving (the control and operation of a forklift) - Frequently
- Desk work (work usually performed at a desk) - Occasionally
- Use of tools - safely operate equipment needed for receiving, conveying, stocking, packaging, and shipping parts - Frequently
- Hearing (Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - Continuously
- Exposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions) - Frequently
- Travel (travel needed to perform job duties) - Iccasionally
Additional Information
This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Our History
Border States is a leader in the electrical supply distribution industry with approximately 130 locations in 31 states. Our employee-owners are second to none in delivering top-notch customer service and in demonstrating extra-ordinary people skills. We are one of the largest independent electrical distributors in the United States providing products and services to the construction, industrial and utility industries. Border States has a competitive benefit package and is a 100 percent employee-owned company. Employee-ownership is a significant part of our culture and our success stems from the dedication of our employee-owners. We practice open-book management and our employee-owners are empowered with clearly defined levels of authority to be innovative and decisive, allowing us to respond quickly to the needs of customers. Employee-owners understand their roles in the success of the company and care about customers' needs, which drives our focus on adding value to everything we do. We recognize that not all customers are the same and each has specific requirements. Our employee-owners understand these diverse needs and have the commitment, resourcefulness and flexibility to outperform all others.
Values
As a Border States employee-owner, you're responsible for living our mission, service philosophy and service standards.
Our Purpose
We believe unstoppable businesses shouldn't go it alone. We are owners - of relationships, of outcomes, of every moment these unstoppable businesses need to deliver.
Service Philosophy
We earn customer loyalty and confidence by caring about their needs and adding value to everything we do.
Service Standards
Border States employee-owners are competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged .
Your career
Join an experienced team at one of the largest electrical distributors in the United States. What are you waiting for?
Border States has a competitive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
FSA & HSA
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Disability Benefits
401(k) Retirement Plan
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Holidays
Paid Volunteer Time
Personal Leave time and more!
Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.
Equal Opportunity For All
It's not just the law.It's something we've believed in since our founding.We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer.
Drug Free/Smoke Free workplace
Employment may be contingent on the offered candidate successfully passing one or more of the following pre-employment screenings:
- Criminal background check (required for all positions)
- Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving)
- Drug testing
The MVR check and drug testing vary by role and will be communicated to the offered candidate during the onboarding process and as applicable.
Border States
life insurance, paid holidays, 401(k), retirement plan
Aug 05, 2025