Scrap Metal Excavator Operator

Air Comfort, Inc; Tinton Falls (NJ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with up to 4% match

Paid time off and sick time

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Mazza Recycling is seeking a Scrap Metal Excavator Operator in New Jersey to load, sort, and process scrap metal safely on a full-time basis. You will operate excavators with grapple, magnet, bucket, and hydraulic shear tools, inspect equipment, and follow safety procedures in a noisy outdoor setting.

You will build stockpiles, coordinate with spotters and drivers, and maintain work zones while meeting quality and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Must have excavator qualification or be able to complete required training.
• Experience in scrap metal recycling or heavy-industrial environments preferred.
• Experience with grapples, magnets, and hydraulic shears preferred.
• Able to work outdoors in varying conditions and overtime.
• Must be at least 21 and legally eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Operate excavators with grapple, magnet, bucket, and hydraulic shear attachments safely and efficiently.
• Inspect the excavator and attachments before use.
• Unload, sort, and separate metals by type, grade, size, and processing requirements.
• Use hydraulic shear to cut and size metal for processing, storage, or shipment.
• Identify hazardous materials and never shear suspect material.
• Build and maintain stockpiles and load trucks and containers within capacity.
• Maintain a controlled work zone and communicate with spotters and drivers.
• Perform routine maintenance and report equipment issues immediately.
• Follow company safety, lockout/tagout, and PPE requirements.

Skills

Excavator experience

Clear communication

Safety compliance

Overtime flexibility

Tools

Grapple attachments

Magnet attachment

Hydraulic shear

Job description

The Scrap Metal Excavator Operator safely operates excavators equipped with grapple, magnet, bucket, and hydraulic shear attachments. The operator unloads, sorts, sizes, processes, stockpiles, and loads scrap metal while maintaining material quality, safe workflow, and equipment condition.

Essential Functions

• Operate excavators with grapple, magnet, bucket, and hydraulic shear attachments safely and efficiently
• Inspect and document the condition of the excavator, attachments, hydraulic systems, blades, cables, alarms, and safety devices before use
• Unload, sort, and separate ferrous and non-ferrous metals by type, grade, size, and processing requirements while minimizing contamination
• Use the hydraulic shear to safely cut and size approved metal for processing, storage, or shipment
• Identify and isolate hazardous or prohibited materials, including sealed containers, cylinders, batteries, fuel-containing equipment, hot material, and unidentified items; never shear suspect material
• Build and maintain separated stockpiles and load trucks, trailers, and containers within approved capacity limits
• Maintain a controlled work zone, monitor swing radius and blind spots, and communicate with spotters, drivers, scale personnel, and other operators
• Perform routine cleaning and operator maintenance and immediately report equipment damage, leaks, spills, fires, or unsafe conditions
• Follow all Company safety, traffic, lockout/tagout, fire-prevention, attachment-change, and personal protective equipment requirements

Qualifications

• Company-approved excavator qualification or ability to complete required training and evaluation
• Previous excavator experience in scrap metal recycling, demolition, steel, or a similar heavy-industrial environment preferred
• Experience with excavator-mounted grapples, magnets, and hydraulic shears preferred
• Knowledge of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, safe shearing practices, equipment limits, and hazardous scrap identification preferred
• Ability to communicate clearly, follow safety procedures, and work around noise, dust, sharp materials, uneven terrain, and moving equipment
• Ability to work outdoors, perform routine operator maintenance, and work overtime, weekends, or varying shifts as needed
• Must be at least 21 years of age and legally eligible to work in the United States

Why Work for Us?

• Family-friendly Company culture
• Annual salary increases available
• Medical, dental, vision benefits, ability to enroll in 401(k) with up to 4% match
• Paid time off and sick time
• Provide employees with professional development opportunities that include training and specialized programs designed to enhance one’s career with Mazza Recycling.

Mazza Recycling and family of companies celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre‑employment testing, job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [include name and/or department, telephone, and e-mail address, etc.].