Plant Loader Operator

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) with company match

Pension

Paid Holidays and Vacation

Tuition Assistance

Wellness Programs

Employee Life Insurance

Job summary

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. is seeking an Equipment Operator II to safely operate heavy equipment and support asphalt production.

The role focuses on precise raw material handling, feed of cold bins, and maintaining production flow with a strong emphasis on safety. Responsibilities include operating loaders, graders, and support equipment, monitoring material quality, and assisting in plant maintenance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or relevant experience.
• CDL Class A or B is significant plus
• 2-4 years of experience operating heavy equipment, specifically in an asphalt plant environment.
• Mechanical aptitude
• Troubleshooting
• Safety focused (OSHA)
• Regulatory compliance
• Effective communication (written and spoken)
• Time management

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy front-end loaders (e.g., Cat 980 or 988) to feed cold feed bins.
• Organize and maintain stockpiles to prevent segregation and moisture buildup; manage yard space.
• Operate skid steers, water trucks for dust control, backhoes, and man-lifts as required for maintenance and site cleanliness.
• Monitor and report on raw material quality before it enters production.
• Assist Plant Operator in monitoring conveyors speeds, temperature gauges, and asphalt oil flow.
• Identify and diagnose early signs of mechanical failure in conveyors, screens, and crushers; perform minor field repairs.
• Serve as relief or secondary operator for the scale house, weigh trucks and generate load tickets.
• Perform daily walk-around inspections and document fluid levels, tire pressures, and grease points.
• Assist maintenance during shutdowns with 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.
• Comply with OSHA regulations and use PPE and fall protection.
• Perform Pre-Shift Inspections (PSI) and mitigate site hazards via Near-Miss reporting.
• Monitor for oil leaks or spills and follow containment protocols.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Safety minded

Effective communication

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

CDL Class A or B

Job description

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

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.

A member of the S&P 500 Index, Martin Marietta is an American-based company and a leading supplier of heavy building materials – including aggregates, cement, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt. Through a network of operations spanning 28 states, Canada and the Bahamas, dedicated Martin Marietta teams supply the foundational resources upon which our communities thrive. Martin Marietta'sMagnesia Specialtiesbusiness produces high-purity magnesia and dolomitic lime products used worldwide in environmental, industrial, agricultural and specialty applications.

At Martin Marietta, we strive to work with the best and the brightest – those who have the potential to become our company's future leaders. Each of our roughly 9,500 people shares a common purpose regardless of their professional role or work environment. Together, we utilize our diverse skills and experiences to drive our company and its extraordinary culture forward. Our aim is to build on our foundation of success and help values-driven and hardworking people realize their full potential. When you decide to invest your career in Martin Marietta, you'll know what it's like to be respected, challenged and rewarded.

In return, we offer a highly competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical
• Prescription Drug
• Vision
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Paid Holidays and Vacation
• 401(k) with Company matching
• Pension
• Salary Continuation - Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability Options
• Employee Life Insurance
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Direct Deposit Payroll
• Educational/Tuition Assistance Plan
• Matching Gift Program
• New Auto Purchase Discount Plans

At Martin Marietta, we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all qualified applicants and teammates. We celebrate diversity and commit that qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.