Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Yard Attendant

A Yard Attendant is a professional who plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficient and organized operations of a yard or outdoor storage facility. They are responsible for handling various tasks related to inventory management, equipment maintenance, and customer service. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Yard Attendants.

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Main Responsibilities of a Yard Attendant

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Yard Attendant:

Adhere to

Adhere to Health & Safety Rules.
Adhere to Equipment Rentals policies and procedures.

Administer

Administer of Pet medications.

Arrange

Arrange and organize items within the yard or storage area.

Assist in

Assist customers in loading product safely and efficiently.
Assist customers in locating and retrieving specific items.
Assist customers with questions.
Assist in assembling and disassembling equipment as needed.
Assist in maintaining accurate yard inventory records in computer systems.
Assist in the shop where needed and other duties as assigned.
Assist in washing and vacuuming of all units as needed.
Assist with general labor duties when needed, in order to complete construction projects.
Assist with monthly and annual physical unit inventories.

Attend

Attend regularly scheduled and ongoing internal training classes.

Back up

Back up a truck and trailer.

Build

Build and maintain long term business relationships.

Call

Call equipment operator(s) for material pushing and sorting at needed.

Check

Check invoices and verify correct product is provided.

Clean

Clean and stock restrooms, prep room and interview room.
Clean, lubricate, and maintain equipment.

Collaborate

Collaborate with team members to plan and coordinate yard activities.

Communicate

Communicate all vehicle and equipment maintenance concerns to Shop Foreman.
Communicate with truck drivers and assist in directing them within the yard.

Complete

Complete accurate Condition Reports or a combination of Condition Reports and ramp inspections.
Complete daily inspections of equipment and communicate any concerns with the Oder Desk.
Complete daily paperwork detailing job hours and job hazards.
Complete paperwork and documentation related to yard operations.
Complete service department tasks as required.

Conduct

Conduct daily equipment inspections reports on equipment before use.
Conduct daily inspections of assigned equipment.
Conduct inspections of incoming and outgoing shipments.
Conduct, interpret and communicate pet screening evaluations.
Conduct physical inventory count as required.
Conduct regular inventory checks and update records.

Confirm

Confirm packing list or invoice of all boat loads or other product deliveries.

Cooperate

Cooperate with their employer and comply with the SOP.

Coordinate

Coordinate and report upon on Loss Prevention matters of a serious nature.
Coordinate with Site Superintendents to have all materials, tools and equipment ready as needed.
Coordinate with vendors and suppliers for deliveries and pickups.

Direct

Direct customers to appropriate off-loading location.

Discuss

Discuss behavior observations with pet parents at pick-up.

Enforce

Enforce regulations of an establishment to maintain order.

Ensure

Ensure all dogs belongings are returned to pet guardian at the end of each visit.
Ensure all items can be immediately located through the relevant inventory system.
Ensure Camp cleanliness at all times.
Ensure compliance with health and safety standards and company policies and procedures.
Ensure compliance with safety regulations and protocols.
Ensure materials loaded on truck, match paperwork description.
Ensure proper use of the equipment and ensures a clean and organized work environment.

Follow

Follow all Company Policies and Procedures.
Follow equipment maintenance schedules and advise if repairs are required.

Forward

Forward customer copy of invoice and payment receipt for each transaction.

Greet

Greet and welcome all customers and campers in a friendly and professional manner.
Greet customers professionally.

Handle

Handle and dispose of waste materials in an environmentally friendly manner.
Handle customer inquiries and provide excellent customer service.

Help

Help keep the shop clean and organized.

Hook up

Hook up and shuttling of commercial trailers within the yard.

Implement

Implement and maintain safety protocols for hazardous materials.

Inspect

Inspect equipment and machinery for damage or issues.

Keep

Keep inventory of material, small equipment, and supplies.

Load

Load and secure items onto delivery vehicles for transportation.
Load and stage for pick-up all outgoing units in designated areas of storage lot.
Load and unload materials from trucks and trailers.
Load and unload trucks and equipment.

Maintain

Maintain accurate records of inventory levels and location.
Maintain a clean and safe delivery vehicle.
Maintain a clean and safe work environment for employees and customers.
Maintain an organized, clean and logical yard and work area.
Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of the yard.
Maintain detailed and accurate service records and documentation.
Maintain inventory of material, tools and parts.
Maintain parking plan for all vehicles and equipment.

Minimize

Minimize customer movements and customers handling material around the site.

Monitor

Monitor and track the movement of items within the yard.

Operate

Operate and maintain yard-related equipment, such as scales and conveyor belts.
Operate and maintain yard security systems, including surveillance cameras.
Operate forklifts or other machinery for material handling.
Operate heavy equipment to complete a variety of job tasks to assist with construction projects.

Package

Package and send equipment for offsite repair shops.

Participate in

Participate in any training provided.

Perform

Perform additional job related assignments as directed by supervisor.
Perform light maintenance to shop areas, and related yards.
Perform monthly maintenance of the warranty parts bins after credits received.
Perform quality control checks on stored materials.
Perform routine maintenance tasks on yard equipment.

Pick up

Pick up material, parts and tools from suppliers.
Pick up product from vendors and deliver to job sites.

Pile

Pile monitoring as needed.

Place

Place name and dates on personal belongs and food items placed in common areas.

Prepare

Prepare equipment and vehicles for the next day.

Produce

Produce daily reports, inventory, log book, mechanical inspection sheet, etc..

Profit

Profit sharing & RRSP matching.

Provide

Provide a Clean drivers abstract.
Provide additional assistance as directed by Camp Management.
Provide customers with expert advice and assistance for their lumber and building material needs.
Provide exceptional customer service.
Provide guidance and support to new employees or visitors in the yard.

Receive

Receive incoming shipments and verify their accuracy.
Receive material and complete all paper work following company procedures.
Receive shipments and organize materials.
Receive training in forklift / loader operation.

Recognize

Recognize and immediately address signs of aggression or other behavior issues.

Repair

Repair and maintain yard structures and fences.

Report

Report all incidents and damage to the leader immediately.
Report any damaged or missing items to supervisors.
Report any repair issues or equipment hazards immediately.
Report issues within the yard to the Manager.
Report safety concerns and issues to the leader immediately.
Report to their Leaders any condition or change that may have impact on this procedure.

Review

Review and sign off on the ‘C and D daily'.

Secure

Secure special attachments to equipment.

Store

Store material in correct locations in the yard.

Supervise

Supervise dogs in play yards at all times.

Support

Support yard security through vigilance and ensure gates are locked at the end of each day.

Sweep

Sweep and remove trash from buses.
Sweep / shovel scale as required to keep it clean from dirt and snow.

Take

Take necessary steps for properly screening loads.
Take on the challenges and rewards of a career that will take you far.
Take payment for all required customers via credit card / debit machine.

Train

Train and develop on the job in forklift and loader operation.

Treat

Treat others property with respect including items placed in common areas.

Use

Use hand tools for various tasks, such as cutting and shaping materials.
Use power washer and brushes.
Use various hand and power tools (drills, saws, grinder, sanders, etc.).

Wash

Wash and clean product in advance of customer pickup, prepare for shipment or transport.

Work

Work in accordance with all local health and safety laws and regulations.
Work in uniform or plain clothes.
Work productively as part of the team.
Work schedule includes weekends, nights and holidays.
Work with equipment in the area.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Yard Attendant:

Proficiency in operating forklifts and other material handling equipment.
Knowledge of yard inventory management systems.
Understanding of safety regulations and protocols for handling hazardous materials.
Ability to use hand tools, such as hammers, saws, and drills.
Competence in inspecting and maintaining yard equipment.
Familiarity with computer systems for inventory tracking and data entry.
Knowledge of proper loading and unloading techniques for various materials.
Understanding of basic maintenance and repair tasks.
Proficiency in using yard-related software applications.
Ability to read and interpret product labels and tags accurately.
Knowledge of different materials and their storage requirements.
Competence in handling heavy and bulky items safely.
Understanding of yard layout and organization principles.
Proficiency in operating yard machinery, like conveyor systems.
Knowledge of traffic management within the yard.
Competence in handling and securing oversized materials for transport.
Understanding of yard safety signage and symbols.
Ability to interpret technical manuals and documents.
Proficiency in using scales and other measurement equipment.
Knowledge of environmental regulations related to waste disposal.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Yard Attendant:

Excellent communication skills for effective teamwork and customer interactions.
Strong attention to detail to maintain accurate records and inventory counts.
Physical stamina and ability to perform manual tasks for extended periods.
Problem-solving skills to address issues with inventory or equipment.
Time management and organizational abilities for efficient yard operations.
Adaptability to handle different types of materials and tasks.
Customer-focused approach and a willingness to assist customers promptly.
Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Strong work ethic and reliability in completing tasks on time.
Team player mentality to collaborate effectively with colleagues.

Conclusion

Yard Attendants are essential members of a team responsible for managing and organizing yard operations efficiently. Their responsibilities include handling inventory, operating machinery, providing customer service, and maintaining safety protocols. To excel in this role, Yard Attendants require a combination of technical skills, such as equipment operation and inventory management, as well as soft skills, including communication, problem-solving, and adaptability.