Equipment Operator

GFL Environmental•Apopka, FL

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Heavy Loader Operator is a critical role responsible for the safe and high-volume operation of a heavy wheel loader (Front End Loader) within an aggregate, quarry, or material processing environment. This position involves managing material flow, accurately loading customer and haul trucks, maintaining organized stockpiles, and ensuring the continuous, efficient feeding of the production plant.

Requirements

Experience: Minimum of [3] years experience operating heavy wheel loaders (Front End Loaders) in a quarry, asphalt, ready-mix, or large-scale aggregate production environment.
Skills: Proven ability to operate heavy equipment with precision, particularly for high-volume truck loading and delicate plant feeding.
Knowledge: Familiarity with various aggregate products (e.g., #57, #4 rock, fines, and asphalt) and the operation of plant components (crushers, conveyors, screens).
Safety Compliance: Documented training in heavy equipment safety and a commitment to MSHA/OSHA compliance.
Communication: Ability to communicate clearly with truck drivers, scale operators, and plant personnel via two-way radio.
Ability to sit for long periods while operating the machine.
Ability to climb on and off equipment frequently throughout the shift.
Ability to work effectively outdoors in all weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, dust, and high noise levels.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally (e.g., tools, grease buckets).
Flexibility to perform other tasks as needed.

Responsibilities

Material Handling and Production Stockpile Management: Build, maintain, and reclaim designated material stockpiles. Ensure piles are organized, neat, and built in a manner that prevents material contamination or mixing.
Plant Feeding: Ensure continuous, efficient flow of raw materials (e.g., concrete, asphalt) into the plant's crushers, screens, or wash plants via hoppers and conveyors to maintain steady production.
Site Movement: Transport materials between various areas of the plant efficiently and safely, following designated roads and traffic patterns.
Truck and Customer Loading Accurate Loading: Load customer trucks and company haul trucks with specific aggregate products (e.g., fines, #57,#4 rock, asphalt) to the correct legal weight limits, ensuring loads are centered and distributed for safe transport.
Efficiency: Optimize loading techniques (e.g., V-pattern loading) to minimize cycle time and maximize daily truck throughput.
Record Keeping: Assist with tracking daily bucket counts loaded into the hopper.
Safety First: Strictly adhere to all local and state safety, OSHA regulations, and company safety policies regarding equipment operation, site traffic, and working around the yard.
Daily Inspection: Conduct comprehensive pre-shift and post-shift inspections (walk-arounds) of the loader, including checking tires, hydraulic lines, bucket condition, fluid levels, and safety devices (e.g., lights, horn, backup alarm).
Routine Maintenance: Perform and document basic preventative maintenance, such as greasing fittings, fueling, and cleaning the machine, reporting all defects and required repairs promptly.
Site Housekeeping: Maintain a clean and orderly work area around stockpiles, hoppers, and loading zones, removing debris and spillage.