Why This Role Stands Out
As the Director of CDL & Diesel Mechanic Programs, you will have the unique opportunity to build and shape impactful new career pathways from the ground up, contributing to a mission that empowers veterans. This leadership role is ideal for an innovative individual passionate about developing curriculum and establishing state-of-the-art facilities to launch high-demand trades. Apply now to make a significant difference in the lives of service members and veterans.
Quick Overview
Job Description
Belong to something. Believe in something. Strive for something. UHP creates professionals, builds leaders, and reveals purpose. We’re looking for people to join our team who believe this mission is worth showing up for every day.
UHP is a veteran-focused education and leadership development organization based on a scenic 800-acre campus in Northwest Arkansas.
The UHP School of Health & Performance offers program tracks in personal training, health coaching, and culinary nutrition. At the UHP Skilled Trades Institute, students earn the certifications necessary to launch careers in high-demand trades. Leadership development is baked into every program.
We also work with a network of employer and industry partners to open career pathways for our graduates. While we can't guarantee employment, everything we do is designed to give service members and veterans a real path toward meaningful careers.
Veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses are strongly encouraged to apply.
Why UHP
At UHP, you are joining more than a company — you are helping build something designed to create lasting impact.
You will have the opportunity to:
Contribute to a mission larger than yourself
The Opportunity
UHP is adding two transportation trades programs in 2027, a CDL truck driving school and a Diesel Mechanic program, and the Founding Director of CDL & Diesel Mechanic Programs owns both from day one. This is a build role, not a maintain role. You will write the curriculum, stand up the range, fleet, and shop, get the programs licensed, registered, and on track for accreditation, hire the instructor team, and then teach in the programs you built.
The CDL program will enroll students from across the country, run 20-student cohorts, and train toward Class A and Class B licenses under federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules. The Diesel Mechanic program will run 20-student cohorts on the UHP trades calendar. Both are being built alongside Northwest Arkansas employer partners, including J.B. Hunt and Walmart.
The two programs run together on purpose. Drivers who understand the equipment are safer and more employable, and mechanics who understand how trucks are driven diagnose them better. We want one leader who has worked both sides of the truck and can build a single, connected transportation pathway.
Expect to spend about 25% of your time teaching during the build year, growing toward 50% once both programs are running.
Key Responsibilities
Build the Programs
Lead the launch of the CDL and Diesel Mechanic programs from planning through the first graduating cohorts
Design or adapt curriculum: federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) theory and behind-the-wheel content for Class A and Class B, and a diesel curriculum aligned to ASE Education Foundation standards
Specify the trucks, trailers, range, shop bays, tools, and training aids each program needs, and work with procurement to get them in place
Set cohort calendars, student-to-instructor ratios, and systems for tracking training hours and completions
Licensing, Compliance, and Safety
Serve as program director on the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) private career school application for the CDL program
Keep UHP compliant as an FMCSA Training Provider Registry provider, including timely reporting of student completions
Own DOT compliance for the training fleet: USDOT registration, drug and alcohol testing, driver qualification files, inspections, and maintenance records
Work toward Arkansas third-party CDL skills testing and ASE Education Foundation accreditation for the diesel program
Build a strong safety culture on the range, on the road, and in the shop
Lead and Teach
Recruit, hire, train, and supervise the CDL lead instructor, behind-the-wheel instructors, and diesel instructors, and confirm each meets federal, state, and accreditation requirements
Observe classes, coach instructors, and keep instruction consistent across cohorts
Teach CDL classroom and range sessions, behind-the-wheel coaching, and diesel shop instruction as your credentials allow, and step in when an instructor is out
Employers, Funding, and Reporting
Work with J.B. Hunt, Walmart, and other carriers and fleets on hiring pipelines, curriculum input, and student placement
Support students from enrollment through licensing and job placement, including students returning to other states for their license
Help secure veteran (GI Bill) and WIOA funding approval
Manage program budgets, fleet costs, and supply spending, and report on enrollment, completions, CDL pass rates, job placement, and safety incidents
Qualifications & Experience
Required
Current Class A CDL, a valid DOT medical card, and a driving record that meets FMCSA entry-level driver training instructor requirements
5+ years of commercial driving experience, or a combination of commercial driving and CDL instruction
Hands-on experience maintaining, inspecting, or repairing heavy trucks and diesel equipment
2+ years leading people, such as a driver manager, shop lead, training lead, or military NCO
Working knowledge of FMCSA and DOT rules, including hours of service, vehicle inspection, and drug and alcohol testing
Ability to be approved as an instructor by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education
Comfort writing procedures, keeping accurate records, and using basic software for scheduling and reporting
High school diploma or GED
Strongly Preferred (Build Experience)
Experience starting or growing a training program, terminal, or shop
Experience with ELDT, the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, or third-party CDL skills testing
Preferred
Over-the-road or regional driving experience with a strong safety record and experience mentoring new drivers
Time working as a diesel mechanic, diesel technician, or heavy truck technician; ASE Medium/Heavy Truck certifications are a plus
Prior experience as a CDL instructor, driver trainer, shop trainer, or military instructor; a genuine interest in teaching adults matters most
Military veterans are strongly encouraged to apply; experience as a motor transport operator (Army 88M), wheeled vehicle mechanic (Army 91B), or NCO maps directly to this role
Hazmat, tanker, or doubles/triples endorsements
Associate degree or higher in a technical field, education, or business
What Success Looks Like in Year One
The CDL program is licensed by ADHE, listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, and has graduated its first cohorts
The Diesel Mechanic program is running on the trades calendar with its shop, tools, and curriculum in place
A qualified instructor team is hired and approved for both programs
Employer partners are hiring graduates, and pass, completion, and placement rates are tracked and reported
The training fleet and shop run with zero serious safety incidents
Cultural Fit
Genuine passion for veteran transition and human development.
Comfort operating outside traditional corporate, academic, or military structures.
Willingness to build something new rather than maintain something established.
Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, mission-driven, high-accountability environment.
Respect for the coaching profession and elite performance culture; service-oriented leadership mindset.
Commitment to a healthy lifestyle and to modeling the human-performance principles our trade students learn as part of the curriculum.
Schedule & Work Environment
Schedule: Flexible, based on program delivery and cohort needs, including some early mornings, evenings, and weekends during cohorts and occasional travel to employer partners.
Work Environment: Based mainly at 25200 Ranch Road, Gentry, AR 72734, with regular travel to Bentonville and the driving range. Work is split between the classroom, the range, public roads, and a diesel shop, in all weather.
Physical Requirements:
Climb in and out of truck cabs, perform pre-trip inspections, work under vehicles, and lift up to 50 pounds
Keep a valid Class A CDL and DOT medical card, and take part in DOT drug and alcohol testing
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive compensation package
401(k)
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off
Professional development support
Access to UHP performance and recovery facilities
Equal Employment Opportunity
UHP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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