Log Yard Heavy Equipment Operator

Woodgrain; Independence (VA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

HSA

FSA

401(k) Match

Job summary

Woodgrain Sawmill in Independence, VA is seeking a Log Yard Heavy Equipment Operator to move logs using a wheel loader or knuckle boom, load trucks, and feed the mill safely.

Expect to handle wood chips, saw dust, and mulch as needed, maintain yard conditions, and perform daily equipment checks in a sawmill environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Lock out/Tag out trained.
• Must be safety minded in a production environment.
• Lifting and physical activity required to move boards and wood pieces.

Responsibilities

• Unload log trucks and lay out loads to be scaled.
• Keep logd in scaling area emptied.
• Stack logs in an organized and safe manner by species.
• Deck logs to feed the mill for production.
• Know the different types of log species.
• Load wood chips, saw dust, and mulch in trailers and trucks.
• Move bark from sawmill to bark pile to be ground into mulch.
• Maintain log yard conditions by scraping and leveling ruts and remove debris.
• Complete daily equipment checks at start of shift.
• Keep equipment clean, greased, lubricated, and blow out air filters daily.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Safety-minded

Physical stamina

Attention to detail

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Wheel Loader

Knuckle Boom

Log deck equipment

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Log Yard Heavy Equipment Operator

Posting Start Date: 8/13/26

Division: Woodgrain Millwork

Posting Area: Operations + Manufacturing

Job Location: Independence, VA

Woodgrain Sawmill in Independence, VA is looking for an experienced Log yard Equipment Operator.

About Woodgrain

Woodgrain is one of the top millwork operations in the world with locations throughout the United States and Chile. With 70 years of quality craftsmanship and service, Woodgrain is a top producer of mouldings, doors, and windows, as well as a premier distributor of specialty building products. Our Woodgrain facility in Independence, VA is a sawmill operation providing materials to our manufacturing facilities as well as to various external customers. Woodgrain Inc. is headquartered in Fruitland, Idaho with six divisions and over 45 manufacturing and warehouse facilities in the United States and South America. Since 1954, Woodgrain is proud to be family owned and operated.

Job Summary

The Log Yard Equipment Operator is responsible for moving logs without damaging them by utilizing either a wheel loader or knuckle boom. This includes but not limited to loading and unloading log trucks, trailers, stacking, and feeding the log deck to the mill for production in a safe manner. Position may also include moving and loading wood chips, saw dust, log bark, and mulch when assigned.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Unload log trucks and lay out loads to be scaled.
• Keep logd in scaling area emptied.
• Stack logs in a organized and safe manner based upon species.
• Deck logs to feed the mill for production.
• Know the different types of log species.
• Load wood chips, saw dust, and mulch in trailers and trucks.
• Move bark from sawmill to bark pile to be ground into mulch.
• Maintain log yard conditions by scraping and leveling out ruts and remove debris.
• Complete daily equipment checks at start of shift.
• Keep equipment clean, greased, lubricated, and blow out air filters on a daily basis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Lock out/Tag out trained.
• Must be SAFETY minded while working in a production environment.
• Lifting and physical activity is required for this position, must be able to move boards and wood pieces.

Summary of Company Benefits

• Compensation is commensurate with experience ($17 to $24 per hour)
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401(k) with 3% Employer Match
• Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D
• Employer Paid Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Supplemental Hospital and Accident Plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• 8 Company Paid Holidays & 1 Floating Holiday
• Progressive Paid Time Off (PTO) Accruals

The physical demands and work environment are representative of a typical sawmill environment. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. Noise level is moderate to high depending on the area of the mill. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear. Requires close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds and is regularly exposed to fumes, airborne particles, and extreme hot and cold temperatures.