Surface Operator

International Minerals Carlsbad, LLC; Carlsbad (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

International Minerals Carlsbad, INC. seeks a Safety-focused Surface Operator to support its Storage and Loading operations. You will be responsible for bulk loading of railcars and trucks, operating heavy equipment, and assisting coworkers with daily production tasks.

The ideal candidate will have heavy-equipment experience, work well with minimal supervision, and demonstrate a strong commitment to workplace safety. Training and equipment qualification tests are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or trade school education.
• Willing to complete all Storage and Loading training phases.
• Ability to pass equipment qualification tests for assigned machinery.
• Experience operating heavy equipment or willingness to learn.
• Strong safety mindset, dependability, and initiative.

Responsibilities

• Load bulk material into railcars and trucks safely and accurately.
• Operate front-end loaders, forklifts, dump trucks, shuttle wagons, vacuum trucks, and skid steers.
• Complete required training and equipment qualification tests for assigned machinery.
• Inspect equipment before use and report mechanical, operational, or safety concerns.
• Open and close railcar doors using fall-protection equipment.
• Perform work on top of railcars and elevated areas when assigned.
• Wash equipment, scales, and designated work areas.
• Assist with vacuum-truck activities and removal of dust and material from tunnels.
• Clean screens, screws, tunnels, loading areas, and production equipment.
• Perform manual cleanup using tools as needed.
• Assist coworkers with loading, cleanup, equipment operation, and other production activities.
• Monitor storage and loading processes and identify operational problems.
• Identify and correct routine problems within the scope of the position.
• Follow operating instructions and learn new equipment and procedures.
• Maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas.
• Use required PPE and follow safety rules.
• Encourage crew members to comply with safety requirements.
• Perform additional surface production and storage/loading duties as assigned.

Skills

Heavy equipment experience

Safety-focused

Independent work

Dependability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Front-end loaders

Forklifts

Dump trucks

Shuttle wagons

Vacuum trucks

Skid steers

Job description

International Minerals Carlsbad, INC.is seeking a safety-focused Surface Operator to support its Storage and Loading operations. This position is responsible for the bulk loading of railcars and trucks, operating heavy equipment, completing general cleanup activities, and assisting coworkers with daily production requirements.

The successful candidate must complete all phases of the Storage and Loading training program and demonstrate proficiency through the required equipment qualification tests. The ideal candidate has heavy-equipment experience, works effectively with minimal supervision, and demonstrates dependability, initiative, and a strong commitment to workplace safety.

Essential Responsibilities

• Load bulk material into railcars and trucks safely and accurately.
• Operate front-end loaders, forklifts, dump trucks, shuttle wagons, vacuum trucks, and skid steers.
• Complete required training and equipment qualification tests for assigned machinery.
• Inspect equipment before use and report mechanical, operational, or safety concerns.
• Open and close railcar doors while using required fall-protection equipment.
• Perform work on top of railcars and in other elevated areas when assigned.
• Wash equipment, scales, and designated work areas.
• Assist with vacuum-truck activities and the removal of dust and accumulated material from tunnels.
• Clean screens, screws, tunnels, loading areas, and related production equipment.
• Perform manual cleanup using shovels, sledgehammers, power tools, and other approved equipment.
• Assist coworkers with loading, cleanup, equipment operation, and other production activities.
• Monitor storage and loading processes and recognize operational problems or equipment limitations.
• Identify and correct routine problems within the scope of the position.
• Follow operating instructions and learn new equipment, processes, and procedures.
• Maintain safe, clean, and orderly work areas.
• Use required personal protective equipment and follow all company safety rules and procedures.
• Encourage crew members to comply with established safety requirements.
• Perform additional surface production and storage and loading duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or trade school education.
• Ability and willingness to complete all phases of the Storage and Loading training program.
• Ability to complete the required qualification tests for assigned equipment.
• Ability to operate or learn to operate front-end loaders, forklifts, dump trucks, shuttle wagons, vacuum trucks, and skid steers.
• Basic knowledge of storage and loading processes and equipment.
• Ability to understand process interactions, equipment capabilities, and operational constraints.
• Ability to read, write, follow instructions, and perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Ability to analyze operating conditions, monitor processes, and learn new procedures.
• Ability to plan assigned work and exercise sound independent judgment.
• Ability to identify and correct routine problems.
• Ability to use the tools and equipment required to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated dependability, good attendance, initiative, and commitment to safety.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least two years of experience operating heavy equipment.
• Experience supporting storage, loading, shipping, rail, warehouse, mining, manufacturing, or industrial operations.
• Experience loading railcars or bulk-material trucks.
• Experience operating shuttle wagons, vacuum trucks, front-end loaders, forklifts, dump trucks, or skid steers.
• Experience working around conveyors, loading systems, screens, scales, and related production equipment.

Physical Requirements

The Surface Operator must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

• Performing physically demanding work throughout the assigned shift.
• Lifting and moving materials weighing up to 50 pounds frequently and up to 100 pounds occasionally.
• Frequently standing, walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, and balancing.
• Climbing ladders and repeatedly entering and exiting loaders, shuttle wagons, and other heavy equipment.
• Walking up and down stairs in stations and tunnels.
• Performing manual cleanup using shovels, sledgehammers, and power tools.
• Working on top of railcars while wearing a safety harness and required fall protection.
• Occasionally working from elevated platforms or baskets up to 100 feet above ground level.
• Performing repetitive movements involving the hands, wrists, and fingers.
• Communicating effectively in high-noise environments.
• Wearing flame-resistant clothing, a safety harness, gloves, hard hat, safety glasses, boots, respiratory protection, and other required personal protective equipment.

Work Environment

This position works in both indoor and outdoor areas within an active mining and industrial operation. Working conditions may include extreme heat, high humidity, dust, significant noise, vibration, water, confined spaces, limited ventilation, fumes, gases, odors, oils, chemicals, moving equipment, electrical hazards, and elevated work areas.

The Surface Operator may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions while working on railcars, loading equipment, and production systems. Strict compliance with all safety procedures, training requirements, equipment qualifications, and personal protective equipment standards is required.

International Minerals Carlsbad, INC.is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.