Baler Operator

Homewood Disposal Inc.; Hazel Crest (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Matching

Health Care Coverage

Immediate Start

Job summary

Diversified Recycling, Inc. is seeking a hardworking operator to run the baler and associated conveyors at our East Hazel Crest, IL facility.

The role requires following safety protocols, standing for long periods, and lifting up to 50 pounds as needed, with overtime and weekend shifts possible. The position involves monitoring bale quality and machine performance, coordinating with other line operators, and maintaining accurate production records.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D. preferred, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, recognize safety hazards, and accurately complete basic production logs.
• Ability to work safely around industrial machinery, moving conveyors, forklift traffic, dust, and noise.
• Reliable attendance and willingness to work assigned shifts, overtime, or weekends as operational needs require.

Responsibilities

• Operate the baler, feed conveyors, discharge systems, and related controls in accordance with training and established procedures.
• Start up, monitor, and shut down baler equipment safely; observe alarms, pressure, cycle times, and machine performance.
• Ensure correct recyclable material grades are being baled; prevent cross-contamination and notify the supervisor of quality concerns.
• Monitor bale size, weight, density, shape, and tying integrity to meet plant and buyer specifications.
• Monitor wire-tie or strapping operation, verify secure ties, and report defective ties, jams, or wire feed problems.
• Replenish approved wire or tying supplies as trained and authorized; safely handle and store baling wire.
• Observe incoming material flow and coordinate with sort line, loader, forklift, and other operators to avoid overfeeding or backups.
• Perform pre-use checks of guards, emergency stops, controls, conveyors, hydraulic systems, and visible leaks; report defects promptly.
• Identify unusual noises, vibrations, overheating, leaks, or mechanical issues; stop and notify the supervisor or maintenance as required.
• Never reach into moving equipment, bypass guards, or clear a jam without proper shutdown and authorized lockout/tagout procedures.
• Coordinate with qualified maintenance personnel during breakdowns, jams, adjustments, planned service, and restart verification.
• Record bale counts, material grades, downtime reasons, equipment concerns, and other production information accurately.
• Assist with bale identification, labeling, staging, and accurate inventory tracking as assigned; coordinate safe bale removal with forklift operators.
• Keep the baler area, walkways, access points, wire storage, and surrounding workstations clean and free of trip and fire hazards.
• Control loose material, dust, and debris using approved cleaning methods; report spills and unsafe conditions immediately.
• Follow all PPE, machine guarding, pedestrian separation, mobile-equipment traffic, and site safety requirements.
• Communicate production status, quality issues, breakdowns, and unfinished work during shift handoff.
• Assist with other MRF production and housekeeping duties as assigned by the Shift Supervisor.

Skills

Safety awareness

Attention to detail

Able to stand for long periods

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Baler operation

Conveyor systems

Job description

Full-Time Status | Hourly | Safety Sensitive
Nights | Overtime as Needed
$20 – $23 Per Hour, Depending on Experience
Location: Diversified Recycling, East Hazel Crest, Illinois

• 401(k) Matching
• Health Care Coverage
• Start Immediately or Upon Your Availability

Job Summary

Operates and monitors the Material Recover Facility baler and associated conveyors and bale-handling systems to safely produce consistent, marketable bales of recyclable materials while minimizing downtime, contamination, and equipment damage.

• High school diploma or G.E.D. preferred, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, recognize safety hazards, and accurately complete basic production logs.
• Ability to work safely around industrial machinery, moving conveyors, forklift traffic, dust, and noise.
• Reliable attendance and willingness to work assigned shifts, overtime, or weekends as operational needs require.

Preferred:

• Experience operating industrial balers or recycling/material recovery equipment.
• Familiarity with bale specifications, wire-tie systems, material grades, machine controls, and basic troubleshooting.
• Prior MRF, recycling, manufacturing, warehouse, or other industrial production experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; bend, reach, climb stairs, and work near operating machinery.
• Ability to lift or handle up to 50 pounds when required, with appropriate assistance or equipment for heavier items.
• Work in an industrial environment with noise, dust, moving equipment, and seasonal temperature extremes; wear required PPE.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate the baler, feed conveyors, discharge systems, and related controls in accordance with training and established procedures.
• Start up, monitor, and shut down baler equipment safely; observe alarms, pressure, cycle times, and machine performance.
• Ensure correct recyclable material grades are being baled; prevent cross-contamination and notify the supervisor of quality concerns.
• Monitor bale size, weight, density, shape, and tying integrity to meet plant and buyer specifications.
• Monitor wire-tie or strapping operation, verify secure ties, and report defective ties, jams, or wire feed problems.
• Replenish approved wire or tying supplies as trained and authorized; safely handle and store baling wire.
• Observe incoming material flow and coordinate with sort line, loader, forklift, and other operators to avoid overfeeding or backups.
• Perform pre-use checks of guards, emergency stops, controls, conveyors, hydraulic systems, and visible leaks; report defects promptly.
• Identify unusual noises, vibrations, overheating, leaks, or mechanical issues; stop and notify the supervisor or maintenance as required.
• Never reach into moving equipment, bypass guards, or clear a jam without proper shutdown and authorized lockout/tagout procedures.
• Coordinate with qualified maintenance personnel during breakdowns, jams, adjustments, planned service, and restart verification.
• Record bale counts, material grades, downtime reasons, equipment concerns, and other production information accurately.
• Assist with bale identification, labeling, staging, and accurate inventory tracking as assigned; coordinate safe bale removal with forklift operators.
• Keep the baler area, walkways, access points, wire storage, and surrounding workstations clean and free of trip and fire hazards.
• Control loose material, dust, and debris using approved cleaning methods; report spills and unsafe conditions immediately.
• Follow all PPE, machine guarding, pedestrian separation, mobile-equipment traffic, and site safety requirements.
• Communicate production status, quality issues, breakdowns, and unfinished work during shift handoff.
• Assist with other MRF production and housekeeping duties as assigned by the Shift Supervisor.

• Group Life Insurance and optional voluntary life insurance
• Paid Leave for the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (After 90 Days)
• Vacation

About Diversified Recycling

For over 30 years, Diversified Recycling has been sorting and processing countless loads of recyclables from nearby towns and beyond. As part of a family-owned and operated business, our core values have always been geared towards our customers and the exceptional service we provide for them. A state of the art sorting and processing facility allows Diversified Recycling the ability to collect and process recyclables from over 80 local communities. Members of our “Green Team” make a personal, positive, and impactful difference on the environment in the greater Chicagoland area.

Diversified Recycling, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.Diversified Recycling, Inc. will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Diversified Recycling, Inc. conducts current and prior employment verification. If you do not want your current employer contacted during the initial stages of the hiring process, please indicate this in your application materials.