LOADER OPERATOR

Knife River - South; East Waco (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off

Holiday Pay

Short-term Disability

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Knife River - South is seeking a Front End Loader Operator to join our safety‑driven, team‑oriented group. Typical hours Monday–Friday with some Saturdays as needed; weather and demand may affect schedules.

Responsibilities include daily inspections, operating loader and plant maintenance, material loading and ensuring safe, efficient production on site. Applicants should pass pre-employment screening, have a high school diploma or GED, and be able to work overtime in varying conditions.

Qualifications

• Must pass pre-employment drug screen and physical.
• Must meet Knife River-South employment standards with regards to background/MVR checks.
• Must be able to work overtime and be flexible with hours (day time/night time).
• Ability to work outside in all seasons.
• Must have a "safety first" attitude. Strict adherence to safety requirements and procedures is required.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily equipment inspections and site checks to identify unsafe conditions and keep equipment maintained.
• Safely operate loader and other equipment.
• Keep concrete plant fed for maximum production.
• Load trucks with road materials up to legal weight limits.
• Maintain smooth, level haul roads and contaminate-free piles.
• Inspect material quality and check gradation, oversize rocks and contaminants.
• Check for spillage and clean up daily; assist with shoveling.
• Monitor for flashing wear that could cause spills.
• Work safely and follow safety protocols; communicate effectively with colleagues.
• Troubleshoot production issues and discuss problems with team and supervisors.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, MSHA, EPA, DNR and lockout/tag-out regulations.
• Attend work consistently and perform other labor tasks as assigned.

Skills

Safety first

Team player

Strong communication

Problem solving

Overtime flexibility

Outdoor work in all seasons

Education

High school diploma/GED

Valid driver’s license preferred

Job description

Great Pay! Great Benefits! Strong Teams! Knife River is a PEOPLE-first company. Our teams are the foundation of our success, and we're committed to providing the training, tools and support to do great work and go home safely at the end of each day. Join a team that looks out for one another and supports career growth from day one.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

Typical hours are Monday - Friday early morning start with Saturday as needed. Hours may vary with due to weather and customer demand.

DUTIES AND/OR RESPONSIBILITIES (summary of components that make up the job)

1. Perform daily equipment, walk around and site inspections to identify and correct any unsafe conditions and keep equipment properly maintained.
2. Safely and properly operate and perform maintenance on loader, and other equipment.
3. Keep concrete plant fed for maximum production.
4. Load trucks with road materials up to legal hauling weight limit.
5. Maintain smooth, level haul roads.
6. Maintain contaminate free aggregate piles.
7. Inspect material; check gradation quality, oversize rocks, contaminants.
8. Check for spillage on plant floor and clean up daily (assist with shoveling spillage).
9. Check for worn out flashing on plant that could lead to spillage.
10. Always work safely, following all safety protocol, and take action to prevent any and all unsafe actions, processes, and behaviors.May maintain the left over concrete that is dumped out at the plant.
11. Communicate effectively (verbal, listening, written) and work with difficult people under high stress situations. Self-motivated, team-player with good interpersonal skills; ability to maintain positive customer relations and act courteous/respectful of others.
12. Troubleshoot and problem solve situations/problems (material quality, equipment operation/repair, etc.). Monitor and discuss production problems with co-workers and managers/supervisors.
13. Ensure OSHA, MSHA, EPA, DNR, lock out/tag out, safety and environmental regulation compliance.
14. Timely and regular attendance is essential.
15. Perform other duties, including labor intensive tasks, as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (types and extent of knowledge, skills or abilities an incumbent must possess to complete the job responsibilities satisfactorily)

1. Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and physical.
2. Must meet Knife River-South employment standards with regards to background/MVR checks.
3. Must be able to work overtime and be flexible with hours (day time/night time).
4. Ability to work outside in all seasons.
5. Must have a "safety first" attitude. Strict adherence to safety requirements and procedures is required.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

1. Extensive walking on uneven surfaces.
2. Lift and carry up to 100 pounds.
3. Exposure to dust, fumes, odors.
4. Hand eye coordination.
5. Exposure to mists, adhesives, acids.
6. Frequent and/or extended periods requiring kneeling, bending, and/or twisting.
7. Operating equipment at night under artificial lighting.
8. Working in all weather conditions for extended period of time.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (minimum educational, experience, or other relevant job requirements)

1. A valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record is preferred.
2. Previous experience operating front end loader and maintenance is preferred.
3. High school diploma/GED is preferred.

VETERANS:

At Knife River, we are committed to helping our military transition to civilian life. We are constantly looking to add veterans to our workforce and want to make the transition as smooth as possible. There are many jobs within the military that are transferable to our Front End Loader Operator position:

Airforce:
Pavement and Construction Equipment

Army:
Heavy Construction Equipment Operator
Quarrying Specialist

Marines:
Engineer Equipment Operator

BENEFITS:

1. Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
2. Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
3. 401(k) with Company Match
4. Profit Sharing
5. Paid Time Off
6. Paid Sick Time
7. 8 Paid Holidays
8. Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
9. Short-term Disability
10. Employee Assistance Program
11. Years of Service Recognition
12. Voluntary Life Insurance for Employees, Spouses, and Dependents
13. Critical Illness Plan
14. Accident Coverage Plan
15. Hospital Indemnity

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal laws.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background checks.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.