Heavy Equipment Operator

VLS Environmental Solutions•New Braunfels, TX

About The Position

The Heavy Equipment Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently handling, moving, and processing materials throughout the facility. The position operates forklifts, front-end loaders, excavators, and other powered industrial equipment to unload incoming materials, transport materials within the facility, and support processing operations. The Operator performs daily equipment and site inspections, maintains housekeeping standards, and assists with quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) activities to ensure materials are managed in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements. Operators are cross-trained across facility operations and are expected to develop and maintain working knowledge of operational processes to provide flexibility and support plant efficiency. The role requires working around industrial equipment and hazardous materials, in dusty environments and varying indoor and outdoor weather conditions, and wearing required personal protective equipment, including respirators.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Experience operating forklifts, excavators, and front-end loaders required.
Ability to safely inspect, operate, and maintain heavy equipment, powered industrial trucks, and other powered and non-powered tools.
Ability to read, understand, and follow operating procedures, work instructions, safety policies, and environmental regulations.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team.
Basic math, reading, verbal communication, and written communication skills.
Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift up to 51 pounds without assistance.
Ability to perform repetitive physical tasks, including standing, walking, bending, climbing, kneeling, and entering and exiting heavy equipment throughout the workday.
Ability to work in dusty environments, around industrial equipment and hazardous materials, and in varying indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
Must be able to wear required PPE, including respirators, and successfully pass a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) and respirator fit test.
Must be willing to cross-train and develop operational knowledge of all facility processes to support plant operations and business needs.

Nice To Haves

Three years of experience in industrial operations, shipping and receiving, warehouse operations, material handling, or a related field preferred.
Certification to operate forklifts, front-end loaders, excavators, and other heavy equipment, or the ability to become certified, preferred.
Basic understanding of QA/QC processes, including material inspection and documentation, preferred.
Spanish-speaking ability is a plus.

Responsibilities

Safely operate forklifts, front-end loaders, excavators, and other powered industrial equipment.
Receive, unload, stage, and transport incoming materials throughout the facility.
Load and unload trucks, containers, roll-off boxes, and other material handling equipment.
Process materials in the solidification pit by adding required materials, blending, mixing, and preparing waste streams according to operating procedures.
Perform routine material handling and movement to support daily plant operations.
Conduct daily pre-use inspections of heavy equipment, forklifts, and powered tools, and promptly report equipment deficiencies.
Perform daily facility and work area inspections to identify and correct safety, environmental, and operational concerns.
Assist with QA/QC activities, including inspecting incoming materials, verifying documentation, collecting samples as required, and identifying non-conforming materials.
Follow established operating procedures, work instructions, and environmental compliance requirements during material processing.
Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas through routine housekeeping of processing areas, equipment, roadways, and storage locations.
Safely use powered and non-powered hand tools and equipment required to perform assigned duties.
Communicate equipment issues, material discrepancies, and operational concerns to supervisors in a timely manner.
Support preventive maintenance by cleaning equipment and reporting maintenance needs.
Comply with company safety policies, environmental regulations, and standard operating procedures.
Participate in safety meetings, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Cross-train in multiple operational areas and assist with other facility processes as business needs require.
Perform other duties as assigned.