Scrap Yard General Laborer — Hands-on, Safety‑Driven

SA Recycling; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 19,286 - 27,552; Full time

Job summary

SA Recycling in the United States (Knoxville, TN) is seeking a laborer to support metal recycling operations. You will unload materials, sort products, and assist with equipment maintenance while following safety protocols.

The role emphasizes physical work, teamwork, and reliability; prior experience is helpful, and basic English/Spanish communication is a plus. This is an on-site, full-time position with opportunities for growth and safety training.

Qualifications

• Must pass a medical physical and drug test.
• Background check required.
• HS diploma or GED preferred.
• Bi-lingual English & Spanish is a plus.
• Ability to communicate and perform basic math.
• Willingness to learn sorting metal and equipment maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Unload pallets, boxes, and bundles.
• Handle, sort, and move materials safely.
• Unpack boxes and separate packaging materials.

Skills

Physical labor

Safety awareness

Team player

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

• Material handling / sorting – pushing, pulling, picking, lifting, carrying, and filling up hoppers, boxes, and conveyor belts
• Unpacking boxes using box cutters, separating plastics, zip ties, blister packs, and other packaging materials
• Disassembling small equipment, cutting wires, torqueing pipefittings, removing bolts, automobile parts, and appliance parts.
• Work with recycling equipment for processing metal product e.g. metal shears, band saw and wire strippers
• Direct traffic of yard vehicles traveling through yard
• Light facility maintenance – painting, scraping, moving furniture and equipment
• Maintenance – selecting and using tools properly, pulling and installing parts for machinery, working with other employees to assist machinery repair
• Housekeeping – sweeping, cleaning, shoveling, and debris collection
• Moderate and Periodic landscaping work
• Clean up work area at the end of shift
• Keep work areas neat and orderly
• Regular attendance and punctuality are essential job functions
• Organizing materials to have more effective use of space
• Dispose of various waste materials in the appropriate manner
• Inspection to ensure cleanup is completed
• Effective housekeeping in workplace area is an ongoing operation for safety and better hygienic conditions for all team members.
  
  
  

Job Duties

Including, but not limited to:

• Unloading pallets, boxes, and bundles
• Material handling / sorting – pushing, pulling, picking, lifting, carrying, and filling up hoppers, boxes, and conveyor belts
• Unpacking boxes using box cutters, separating plastics, zip ties, blister packs, and other packaging materials
• Disassembling small equipment, cutting wires, torqueing pipefittings, removing bolts, automobile parts, and appliance parts.
• Work with recycling equipment for processing metal product e.g. metal shears, band saw and wire strippers
• Direct traffic of yard vehicles traveling through yard
• Light facility maintenance – painting, scraping, moving furniture and equipment
• Maintenance – selecting and using tools properly, pulling and installing parts for machinery, working with other employees to assist machinery repair
• Housekeeping – sweeping, cleaning, shoveling, and debris collection
• Moderate and Periodic landscaping work
• Clean up work area at the end of shift
• Keep work areas neat and orderly
• Regular attendance and punctuality are essential job functions
• Organizing materials to have more effective use of space
• Dispose of various waste materials in the appropriate manner
• Inspection to ensure cleanup is completed
• Effective housekeeping in workplace area is an ongoing operation for safety and better hygienic conditions for all team members.
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Employees in this position prior to April 2014 are presumed to be qualified and are "grandfathered" into their positions.
• Must pass a medical physical and drug test
• Must pass a background check
• Preferred – high school diploma or GED and/or foreign education acceptable
• Bi-lingual (English & Spanish) language skills a plus
• Ability to: communicate with others effectively; understand direction (written or oral) and use basic math skills as the job demands
• Willingness to learn how to: sort metal, identify colors, shapes, and weights; properly maintain equipment; properly utilize PPE
  
  
  

Job Expectations

Comply with all applicable federal, state, local, & SA Recycling safety, health, & environmental rules, regulations, policies, & procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Work Environment: Scrap metal yard, outdoor
• Equipment & Tools: Yard equipment, hand tools, and PPE.
• Physical Demand Level: Moderate to heavy
• Work Capacity: Laborer Work Capacity
• Sensory Demands: Hearing, vision, smell, touch and taste
• Hand Movements: Repetitive motions, gripping