Operator IV, Equipment - Terminal

Gulf Stream Marine, Inc.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulf Stream Marine, Inc. seeks a senior-level operations professional to operate high-capacity equipment in marine terminal and yard environments. You will use a top loader and large forklifts (Hyster H1050, Taylor XH1000) to lift, move, and stack loads weighing 55,000 lbs or more.

Expect extensive experience, strict safety adherence, and the ability to work nights, weekends, and overtime. This role demands high attention to detail and independent judgment in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience operating high-capacity equipment.
• Active TWIC card required.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English; accurate data processing.
• Strong initiative, independent judgment, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Operate a top loader 55,000 lbs. or greater safely and efficiently.
• Handle boxes, crates, pallets, skids, and other cargo with various attachments.
• Operate in terminal, dock, or yard environments.
• Ensure three points of contact when mounting/dismounting equipment and proper startup/shutdown procedures.
• Maintain navigation of safe working loads and comply with Stop Work Authority.

Skills

Equipment experience

TWIC card

English literacy

Safety-focused

Flexible hours

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Top loader

Large-capacity forklift

Hyster H1050

Taylor XH1000

Job description

Overview

This is a senior-level operational role responsible for operating high-capacity equipment and terminal yard trucks to support the safe and efficient movement of heavy lift and over-dimensional cargo. This role requires expert-level proficiency, extensive experience, and strict adherence to safety protocols in high-risk environments in the marine terminal, port operations and yard settings. This role operates a top loader, large-capacity forklifts, including Hyster (H1050) and Taylor (XH1000) models, to safely lift, move, and stack extremely heavy loads (55,000 lbs or greater).

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience operating high-capacity equipment.
• An active TWIC card is required.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English; accurate processing of alpha/numeric data.
• Strong initiative, independent judgment, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Proven ability to function effectively in fast-paced environments with limited supervision.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Subject to physical and/or DOT screening and other applicable tests.
• Frequent exposure to outdoor conditions including extreme heat, rain, wind, cold, and high humidity during day and night shifts.
• Frequent sitting (while driving), grasping, and exercising eye‑hand and eye‑hand‑foot coordination.
• Frequent reaching, repetitive foot/wrist motion, and finger dexterity.
• Occasional standing, walking, climbing, bending, squatting, twisting, and overhead reaching.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 55 pounds.
• Specific vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
• Exposure to high altitudes, noise, dust, fumes, and moving mechanical parts.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate operating a top loader 55,000 lbs. or greater.
• Safe and efficient handling of boxes, crates, pallets, skids, super sacks, trays, rebar, and smaller length pipe (loose or bundled).
• Operating with diverse attachments to handle different commodities.
• Operating machine in the terminal and/or on the dock.
• Proper mounting/dismounting of machine while maintaining three points of contact.
• Proper startup and shutdown of forklift (seatbelt, neutral when starting/stopping, lowers forklift blades to ground and sets brake when parking).
• Proper use of controls (clutch, inching, tilt, lift, attachments, steering).
• Proper stacking of load (approaches load squarely, stacks straight and squarely, and to safe height, deposits load safely, does not move until forks are level and lowered).
• Proper loading /unloading a trailer or van/railcar/container/other (checks the dock plate, condition of the floor/deck, trailer chocks, jack stands, and brakes if applicable, and maneuvers safely in tight quarters).
• Ensures truck drive is outside of cab and visible to operator before loading or unloading.
• Checks equipment in accordance to forklift checklist procedures to ensure it is properly maintained and is safe to operate.
• Communicates any issues with machine to supervisor or maintenance.
• Follows proper procedures for an “unattended” machine.
• Ensures machine is operated within safe working load limits at all times.
• Follows all company safety requirements/policies.
• Understands and complies with Company “Stop Work Authority” policy.
• Maintains awareness of all surroundings (i.e. vehicles, people, traffic, debris or obstructions, etc.) at all times.
• Reviews all shipments upon arrival and inform supervisor immediately of any damages to cargo.
• Ensures that cargo is loaded in appropriate container and/or trailer for shipment.
• Performs additional related duties as assigned which may or may not include operating a forklift.