Kiln Operator
About The Position
Operates or tends heating equipment. Dries lumber, removes moisture from materials through a sophisticated control system; fields assistance and trouble-shoots production, process, process control, equipment, and quality problems. Responsible for safe and environmentally compliant operation. Controls dry kilns to dry lumber to specified moisture content: Measures moisture content of lumber preparatory to drying, using moisture meter, or cuts, weighs, and places lumber samples in curing oven and reweighs samples periodically as they are drying to determine rate and percentage of moisture reduction. Determines drying cycle and schedule, considering factors such as species, dimensions, and quantity of lumber to be dried, initial moisture content of lumber, or moisture reduction rate of lumber samples. Presses buttons or turns valves and control knobs to activate, control, and record temperature, humidity, and ventilation of drying kilns. Reads recording gauges and weighs lumber samples periodically during seasoning process and readjusts temperature and humidity controls to regulate moisture reduction rate and avoid damage to lumber. Measures moisture content of lumber at completion of drying cycle, using moisture meter, to ensure that specified amount of moisture has been removed. Maintains records of species, dimensions, and footage of lumber dried, and initial and final moisture content of lumber. Changes graphs on pen-graph recorders as required. May direct workers engaged in loading lumber onto kiln cars, placing cars in kilns, and removing dried lumber from kilns. Performs all other duties as assigned. Other work-related duties as required
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred
- Safety, health, and environmental awareness
- Strong organizational and communications skills
- Willing to be hands on with physical production
- Must be able to work in all outside weather conditions (wet, hot, cold)
- Must be able to lift up to 50lbs
Responsibilities
- Operates or tends heating equipment
- Dries lumber, removes moisture from materials through a sophisticated control system
- Fields assistance and trouble-shoots production, process, process control, equipment, and quality problems
- Responsible for safe and environmentally compliant operation
- Controls dry kilns to dry lumber to specified moisture content
- Measures moisture content of lumber preparatory to drying, using moisture meter, or cuts, weighs, and places lumber samples in curing oven and reweighs samples periodically as they are drying to determine rate and percentage of moisture reduction
- Determines drying cycle and schedule, considering factors such as species, dimensions, and quantity of lumber to be dried, initial moisture content of lumber, or moisture reduction rate of lumber samples
- Presses buttons or turns valves and control knobs to activate, control, and record temperature, humidity, and ventilation of drying kilns
- Reads recording gauges and weighs lumber samples periodically during seasoning process and readjusts temperature and humidity controls to regulate moisture reduction rate and avoid damage to lumber
- Measures moisture content of lumber at completion of drying cycle, using moisture meter, to ensure that specified amount of moisture has been removed
- Maintains records of species, dimensions, and footage of lumber dried, and initial and final moisture content of lumber
- Changes graphs on pen-graph recorders as required
- May direct workers engaged in loading lumber onto kiln cars, placing cars in kilns, and removing dried lumber from kilns
- Performs all other duties as assigned
- Other work-related duties as required
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
