Heavy Equipment Op/Forklift Op - 1st/2nd Shift

VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC; Gray Court (SC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Telemedicine

Employee discounts

Job summary

VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC is seeking an experienced heavy-equipment operator to safely run wheel loaders, excavators, and related machinery in an active shredding and processing facility. You will perform inspections, feed processing lines, and maintain safe, compliant operations while coordinating with spotters and drivers.

The role requires 3+ years in heavy equipment, valid license, and ability to work shifts with overtime.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of recent heavy-equipment experience.
• Experience with wheel loaders and at least one of excavator/material handler/skid steer/telehandler/heavy-duty forklift.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to the assigned shift.
• Ability to read procedures, warning signs, equipment manuals, and production instructions; able to complete clear written/electronic records.
• Ability to work the assigned shift and overtime, weekends, or schedule changes.

Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently operate wheel loaders, excavators and other authorized mobile equipment in a shredding/AEF processing environment.
• Perform pre-use and post-use inspections; report issues and secure equipment if needed.
• Feed shredders and conveyors at directed rates; avoid overfeeding and unsafe conditions.
• Inspect materials and stop for prohibited items; maintain stockpiles per plan.
• Maintain safe pile geometry, travel surfaces, and protect drains, buildings, and workers.
• Complete equipment inspection reports and production records accurately and on time.
• Assist with routine maintenance, greasing, fueling, and minor adjustments within training.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety awareness

Reading/writing procedures

Shift flexibility

Team orientation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

About VLS!

Waste Services provides customized waste processing solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste, including landfill diversion and sustainability programs, solidification of liquid waste, recycling, wastewater treatment, and waste sequestration.

About VLS!

VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC, is a recognized leader in providing sustainability solutions, with three divisions providing industry-leading services. With a mission to innovate solutions to meet clients' sustainability goals, VLS has over 1,200 employees in 40+ locations across North America.

Waste Services

VLS Waste Services provides customized waste processing solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste, including landfill diversion and sustainability programs, solidification of liquid waste, recycling, wastewater treatment, and waste sequestration.

Railcar Services

VLS Railcar Cleaning and Repair Services division provides specialty cleaning services for difficult-to-clean products, including chemicals, hardened materials, and pressurized gases, and comprehensive repair services for certified full-service repairs, tank car qualifications, and maintenance.

Marine Services

VLS Marine Services division offers state-of-the-art barge cleaning, repair, and gas-free facilities for various chemical solvents and downstream petroleum products.

Job Summary

Job Duties:

• Safely and efficiently operate assigned wheel loaders, excavators and other authorized mobile equipment in an active shredding and AEF processing environment.
• Complete documented pre-use and post-use inspections. Check tires or tracks, buckets or grapples, pins, guards, windows, mirrors, cameras, lights, alarms, brakes, steering, hydraulics, fluid levels, fire extinguisher, and other safety systems.
• Stop using unsafe equipment, secure it against use, and immediately report hydraulic leaks, damaged guards, worn attachments, unusual vibration or noise, warning indicators, or control problems.
• Feed shredders, hoppers, conveyors, or processing areas at the controlled rate directed by the operating plan. Avoid overfeeding, bridging, unsafe pile faces, and material accumulation around equipment.
• Inspect visible material while handling it and stop the process for suspected compressed-gas cylinders, aerosol cans, batteries, hot or reactive material, unknown containers, metal, oversize items, or other prohibited contamination.
• Build, blend, turn, spread, consolidate, and reclaim stockpiles according to profile, production plan, quality requirements, space constraints, and fire-prevention controls.
• Maintain stable pile geometry and safe travel surfaces. Protect berms, drains, utilities, buildings, fire lanes, pedestrian routes, and other equipment from contact or obstruction.
• Load walking-floor trailers, roll-off containers, dump trailers, or other approved outbound units evenly and within site loading instructions while coordinating with spotters and drivers.
• Direct or coordinate inbound truck movement and tipping when assigned. Maintain positive radio communication and confirm that personnel are clear before trucks or equipment move.
• Monitor equipment gauges, process flow, pile condition, product consistency, and changing site conditions. Communicate production constraints and likely shortfalls early.
• Complete equipment inspection reports, production records, load records, downtime notes, and other assigned documentation accurately and on time.
• Perform authorized operator care such as cleaning, greasing, fueling, fluid checks, and minor adjustments within training. Repairs and maintenance beyond operator scope must be referred to qualified personnel.
• Assist with safe troubleshooting and recovery from process interruptions only within training and authorization and under the site energy-control procedure.
• Keep equipment cabs, access steps, processing floors, tip areas, pile perimeters, and travel paths clean and free of accumulated debris and fire hazards.
• Participate in shift handoffs, safety meetings, near-miss reporting, incident reviews, maintenance planning, training, and productivity-improvement work.
• Perform other related duties assigned by site leadership within the employee's training, authorization, and safe-work requirements.

Required Qualifications

• At least 3 years of recent heavy-equipment experience, including strong proficiency on a wheel loader and at least one of the following: excavator or material handler, skid steer, telehandler, or heavy-duty forklift.
• Experience working around stockpiles, truck traffic, loading operations, confined operating areas, and changing ground or material conditions.
• Ability to pass a practical operating evaluation on assigned equipment and complete all VLS site-specific training before independent operation.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to the assigned shift.
• Ability to read procedures, warning signs, equipment manuals, production instructions, and inspection forms and to complete clear written or electronic records.
• Ability to work the assigned shift and required overtime, weekends, or schedule changes based on operating needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; equivalent industrial experience will be considered.
• Five or more years operating heavy equipment in recycling, shredding, solid waste, alternative fuel, aggregate, biomass, forestry, scrap, or comparable industrial production.
• Demonstrated proficiency with wheel loaders and excavators or material handlers using buckets, grapples, forks, or other approved attachments.
• Experience is not necessary but preferred in feeding shredders, hoppers, crushers, screens, grinders, balers, conveyors, or comparable processing equipment.
• Mechanical aptitude and experience with daily greasing, operator inspections, basic troubleshooting, and clear maintenance reporting.
• At least 3 years of recent heavy-equipment experience, including strong proficiency on a wheel loader and at least one of the following: excavator or material handler, skid steer, telehandler, or heavy-duty forklift.
• Experience working around stockpiles, truck traffic, loading operations, confined operating areas, and changing ground or material conditions.
• Ability to pass a practical operating evaluation on assigned equipment and complete all VLS site-specific training before independent operation.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to the assigned shift.
• Ability to read procedures, warning signs, equipment manuals, production instructions, and inspection forms and to complete clear written or electronic records.
• Ability to work the assigned shift and required overtime, weekends, or schedule changes based on operating needs.

What's in it for you!

At VLS our employees are the core of our business. As such, we value our employees' physical, mental, and financial wellbeing by providing first class, high value benefits and resources that are centered around a proper work-life balance.

Physical and Mental Wellbeing:

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - Based on each employee's need, we offer various high quality, low-premium medical, dental and vision plans, which include our first-in-class concierge service (available in Spanish) and 2nd MD Offering.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Healthcare Saving Accounts (HSA) -- Set aside pre-tax money to use toward your health care spending. VLS provides an employer contribution to all HSA accounts.

Time Off - We offer 11 (eleven) company-paid holidays, in addition to our paid time off and voluntary time off plans.

Employee Assistance Program -- 24/7 assistance and counseling services that are 100% confidential and free to all employees and their dependents.

Telemedicine -- All employees and dependents receive free virtual visits by licensed practitioners any time, any day...including holidays!

Financial and Retirement Planning:

401(k) - Generous 401(k) matching program after 90 days of employment. VLS will match up to 5% of your pay every pay period. Matching contributions are 100% vested immediately.

Life and Disability Insurance -- Employer-paid life insurance, along with short-term and long-term disability coverage provided to all full‑time employees.

Voluntary Life Protection Plans -- Employees and their dependents can elect coverage in our voluntary life/add, critical illness, hospital indemnity and accident plans.

Rewards and Recognition Programs -- We celebrate our employees! From birthdays to anniversaries and other various milestones/achievements, we have programs in place to recognize our employees.

Financial Planning - Free One on One financial planning with a certified Financial Planner/Coach.

Employee Discount - Employee Discount Program for savings on everyday goods and services at various retailers throughout the US.