Plant Loader Operator

Martin Marietta; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 37,195,000 - 42,706,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision

HSA & FSA

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Education assistance

Employee discount program

Wellness programs

Job summary

Martin Marietta in Colorado Springs is seeking an Equipment Operator II to safely operate heavy mobile equipment and maintain production flow in an asphalt plant environment.

You will manage stockpiles, feed cold bins with precision, monitor conveyors and oil flow, and assist with minor maintenance tasks under supervision. A safety-first mindset and OSHA compliance are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• CDL Class A or B is a significant plus.
• 2–4 years of experience operating heavy equipment in asphalt plants.
• Mechanical aptitude and computer literacy required.

Responsibilities

• Operate front-end loaders (e.g., Cat 980 or 988) to feed cold feed bins.
• Maintain stockpiles and yard space; manage material pushing.
• Operate skid steers, water trucks, backhoes, and man-lifts for maintenance and cleanliness.
• Monitor material quality before entry to production.
• Assist Plant Operator with conveyors, temperature gauges and asphalt oil flow.
• Identify and diagnose mechanical issues; perform minor field repairs.
• Relieve or assist scale house operator; weigh trucks and generate load tickets.
• Conduct daily pre-shift inspections; document fluid levels and tire pressures.
• Support maintenance during shutdowns (liner replacements, filter changes, welding).
• Maintain clean, safe work environment; manage spill containment.
• Adhere to OSHA regulations and PPE use.
• Perform near-miss reports to mitigate hazards.
• Monitor for oil leaks and follow cleanup protocols.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Computer literacy

Troubleshooting

Critical thinking

Safety focused (OSHA)

Regulatory compliance

Effective communication

Time management

Education

High school diploma / GED

CDL Class A or B (significant plus)

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Equipment Operator II is a mid-level role responsible for the safe and efficient operation of heavy mobile equipment and stationary plant machinery essential to asphalt production. The Equipment Operator II is expected to possess a higher degree of technical proficiency, performing complex maneuvers and assisting in the mechanical troubleshooting of the plant.

The primary objective of this role is to manage raw material stockpiles, feed the plant 'cold bins' with precision to maintain mix integrity, and ensure the continuous flow of production. This individual serves as a critical link between the yard and the high-heat production environment, maintaining a commitment to Martin Marietta’s Guardian Angel safety culture.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate heavy front-end loaders (e.g., Cat 980 or 988 series) to feed cold feed bins
• Organize and maintain stockpiles to prevent segregation and moisture buildup; manage the 'pushing up' of materials to maximize yard space.
• Skillfully operate skid steers, water trucks for dust control, backhoes, and man-lifts as required for plant maintenance and site cleanliness.
• Monitor and report on raw material quality (e.g., excessive moisture or oversized rock) before it enters the production stream.
• Assist the Plant Operator in monitoring conveyor speeds, temperature gauges, and asphalt oil flow to ensure the final product meets DOT specifications.
• identify and diagnose early signs of mechanical failure in conveyors, screens, and crushers. Perform minor field repairs such as replacing idlers, adjusting belt tracking, or clearing blockages.
• Function as a relief or secondary operator for the scale house, weighing out trucks and generating load tickets using specialized plant software.
• Perform daily 'walk-around' inspections and document fluid levels, tire pressures, and grease points.
• Assist the maintenance crew during 'shutdowns' with tasks including liner replacements, baghouse filter changes, and welding/cutting (if certified).
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment by removing 'spill' buildup under conveyors and around the drum using shovels and skid steers.
• Maintain strict compliance with OSHA regulations, including the proper use of PPE and Fall Protection.
• Perform Pre-Shift Inspections (PSI). Identify and mitigate site hazards through the Near-Miss reporting system.
• Monitor for oil leaks or spills and follow company protocols for containment and cleanup to protect the local environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

High school diploma, GED, or relevant experience

CDL Class A or B is significant plus

Work Experience

2 – 4 years of experience operating heavy equipment, specifically in an asphalt plant environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Mechanical aptitude

Computer literacy

Troubleshooting

Critical thinking

Safety focused (OSHA)

Regulatory compliance

Effective communication (written and spoken)

Time management

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Physical Requirements

You must be able to lift and carry up to 50–75 lbs regularly. This includes handling heavy tools, equipment parts, or materials.

Climb on and off large machinery frequently.

Walk across steep, rough, or uneven terrain.

Bend, stoop, squat, and reach into tight spaces for equipment inspections and minor repairs.

Climb stairs or ladders to heights up to 100 feet (for plant maintenance).

Travel

You are often required to travel between different plants or job sites.

Working Conditions

All duties require outside assignments and require periods of work in all weather conditions, cold, wet, dry and dusty. Must be able to work in areas where noise levels are up to 85 dbs.

The hiring range for this position is $27 -$31 exclusive of benefits or bonuses (discretionary and non-discretionary). The offered base compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, business need, market conditions, proficiencies, skills, education, and experience. Additionally, at Martin Marietta we place a high value on internal pay equity and will consider the compensation for those in similarly situated roles and direct team members. The hiring range for this role represents the base compensation we expect to pay for the position at time of hire and does not represent the total possible base pay of the position.

In addition to our base compensation, we also offer a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including

• medical, dental and vision coverage
• prescription drug coverage
• health savings accounts
• flexible spending accounts
• life, AD&D and disability insurance
• 401(k) with a company match and an employer-funded defined benefit pension plan

Other benefits include paid time off, paid holidays, education/tuition assistance, an employee discount program, adoption assistance, wellness programs and more.

Part time employees are eligible to participate in the 401k plan and receive a company match. In addition, they are eligible to start accruing service for the pension plan.