The posting
Drive Your Career Forward with Southern States
At Southern States, our Energy Drivers do more than deliver fuel. They play a critical role in serving local homes, farms, businesses, and communities by providing dependable energy solutions that customers rely on every day. We take pride in our commitment to safety, customer service, integrity, and teamwork while offering employees the opportunity to build long-term careers with a trusted company that has been serving communities for generations.
If you enjoy working independently, building relationships with customers, operating specialized equipment, and making a meaningful impact in your community, we invite you to join our team. Southern States offers competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, ongoing training, and opportunities for professional growth in a stable and essential industry.
General Summary
The Energy Driver safely and efficiently delivers petroleum and propane products that power homes, farms, businesses, and communities throughout the Southern States service area. This DOT driving position combines transportation, customer service, equipment operation, and technical expertise to provide reliable energy solutions while maintaining the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.
Depending on location, the Energy Driver may also install, service, maintain, and troubleshoot fuel-related equipment and systems at customer sites.
Essential Job Functions
Delivery Operations
- Operate Southern States commercial motor vehicles to transport and deliver heating oil, kerosene, diesel fuel, gasoline, and/or propane products.
- Comply with all Department of Transportation (DOT), OSHA, environmental, state, local, and company regulations governing fuel transportation and delivery.
- Conduct required vehicle inspections and maintain driver qualification standards.
Product Loading & Inventory Management
- Load fuel products according to established operating procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Operate hoses, pumps, meters, gauges, terminal controls, and related delivery equipment.
- Obtain fuel supplies from Southern States facilities and approved third-party terminals.
- Monitor product quantities and perform calculations necessary for accurate delivery, inventory control, and documentation.
- Assist with inventory control, receiving activities, shipping activities, and related warehouse operations as business needs require.
- Safely operate forklifts and other material handling equipment when authorized and trained.
Customer Service & Account Support
- Deliver products safely, accurately, and on schedule while providing exceptional customer service.
- Review service requirements, delivery details, and equipment needs with customers.
- Provide customers with information regarding products, equipment operation, and service-related matters.
- Collect payments and complete required delivery documentation when applicable.
- Maintain professional relationships that reinforce Southern States' commitment to customer service excellence.
Equipment Installation & Maintenance
- Install, service, inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain fuel delivery equipment and systems as assigned.
- Perform routine maintenance and basic repairs on company vehicles, tanks, and equipment.
- Repair and maintain tanks and related equipment as needed.
- Communicate complex maintenance concerns to supervisors to ensure timely repair or replacement.
Documentation & Compliance
- Complete required logs, inspections, maintenance records, delivery reports, inventory documentation, and regulatory paperwork accurately and timely.
- Utilize required electronic systems and mobile technology to document operational activities.
- Maintain compliance with all applicable company policies, operating procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Communication & Teamwork
- Maintain regular communication with facility leadership regarding deliveries, service requirements, equipment conditions, customer concerns, scheduling, and inventory needs.
- Participate in required training programs, certification courses, safety meetings, and professional development opportunities.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
Safety
- Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to personal safety, customer safety, environmental stewardship, and protection of company assets.
- Utilize required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times.
- Identify potential hazards and follow established safe work practices.
- Perform all duties in accordance with Southern States Environmental Health & Safety standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
Additional Grade 426 Responsibilities
- Regularly load and deliver propane products in accordance with established operating procedures.
- Coordinate delivery schedules, installations, and service activities with supervisors.
- Complete a minimum of two (2) specialized training programs, certification courses, or industry-related professional development activities annually.
- Assist in onboarding and training less experienced Energy Drivers by providing guidance on product delivery, equipment operation, maintenance practices, and customer service expectations.
- Identify customer needs and refer potential sales opportunities to the appropriate sales representative for follow-up.
- Serve as a technical resource within the location for fuel delivery operations and customer support.
Other Duties
- Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Why Join Southern States?
- Stable, year-round career in an essential industry
- Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits
- Opportunities for training, certifications, and career advancement
- Independent work environment with meaningful customer interaction
- Commitment to safety, teamwork, and employee development
- Opportunity to serve local communities and agricultural customers every day
Education
High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required.
Grade 424 Experience
Previous experience operating commercial motor vehicles for product delivery, maintaining related equipment, or comparable experience is preferred. Previous Southern States experience is a plus.
Required:
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL) appropriate for the vehicle operated at the assigned location, typically Class B or Class C
- Ability to obtain Hazardous Materials Endorsement within a designated timeframe if not held at hire
- Ability to obtain Tanker Endorsement within a designated timeframe if required by location
- Ability to obtain all location-specific Petroleum and/or Propane certifications required by applicable regulations and Southern States standards within a designated timeframe
Grade 426 Experience
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a Petroleum Driver, Energy Driver, or comparable role involving the loading, transportation, and delivery of petroleum products and the installation, service, or maintenance of related equipment.
Required:
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL) appropriate for the vehicle operated at the assigned location, typically Class A or Class B
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement
- Petroleum and/or Propane certifications required by applicable regulations and Southern States standards
May Require by Location:
- Tanker Endorsement
- Air Brake Endorsement
- Gas Fitter's License
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The complexity and scope of responsibilities increase with grade level.
- Safely operate commercial motor vehicles in accordance with Southern States policies and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Successfully complete hands-on training with an experienced Energy Driver prior to operating equipment independently.
- Learn and effectively utilize petroleum and propane delivery equipment and related technologies.
- Learn and apply Southern States operating procedures, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Utilize mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot, maintain, and perform routine repairs on equipment and vehicles.
- Operate GPS, routing, and mobile technology systems.
- Read and interpret operating manuals, manufacturer instructions, diagrams, maps, and technical documentation.
- Work independently while consistently following safety, quality, and operating procedures.
- Perform basic mathematical calculations including percentages, fractions, and decimals.
- Utilize computer systems and digital tools required for scheduling, delivery documentation, and business operations.
- Demonstrate strong attention to detail and accurate recordkeeping.
- Communicate professionally with customers, vendors, and team members.
- Read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to safely perform job duties, complete required documentation, understand safety instructions, and communicate effectively.
- Maintain flexibility to work overtime, seasonal schedules, on-call assignments, and emergency response activities as business needs require.
- Maintain any required DOT medical certification and qualifications necessary for commercial vehicle operation.
Work Environment
This position performs essential job functions while operating commercial motor vehicles, working outdoors in varying weather conditions, and performing duties in warehouse and customer-site environments.
Employees may be regularly exposed to:
- Heating oil, kerosene, diesel fuel, gasoline, propane, and associated odors and fumes
- Moving vehicles, machinery, and mechanical equipment
- Noise levels requiring appropriate hearing protection as designated by facility PPE requirements
- Dust, wet or slippery surfaces, vibration, and electrical hazards
Schedule requirements vary by location and season. Positions may require extended hours, alternative schedules, emergency response assignments, and participation in on-call rotations. Regular attendance and the ability to report to work during adverse weather conditions are essential functions of the role.
Physical Requirements
Southern States is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
This position requires continuous physical activity throughout the workday and may require extended work hours.
Frequently Required:
- Bend, crouch, stoop, twist, reach, and climb
- Operate commercial vehicles and specialized equipment
- Stand and walk on uneven surfaces
- Utilize continuous hand, arm, foot, and eye coordination
- Perform repetitive movements involving hands and feet
- Push, pull, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds independently
Regularly Required:
- Climb in and out of commercial vehicles throughout the shift
- Balance, kneel, stack materials, and perform housekeeping duties
- Push, pull, lift, and carry 50-80 pounds, with assistance when appropriate
Occasionally Required:
- Push, pull, lift, and carry up to 100 pounds, with assistance when appropriate
- Move propane cylinders and tanks utilizing approved handling equipment and safe work practices
Employees must be able to perceive sounds, alarms, warning signals, verbal communications, and environmental conditions necessary to safely perform essential job duties. Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Tools & Equipment
Equipment may vary by location and may include:
- Commercial fuel delivery vehicles
- Petroleum and propane delivery systems
- Forklifts and material handling equipment
- Front-end loaders
- Handcarts and lifting devices
- Mobile technology, telephones, forms, and computer systems
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including hard hats, steel-toed footwear, safety glasses, gloves, face shields, respirators, and any additional PPE required by product labeling, regulations, or safety standards
Southern States Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, family medical history or genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws or regulations.
