Yard Associate

Owen Companies; Jessup (MD); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Owen Companies in Blaze, MD is seeking a Yard Associate to support daily branch operations and ensure a safe, clean, organized equipment yard. You will stage, move, inspect, fuel, load and unload equipment, while coordinating with service, rental, sales, parts, and delivery teams. The role emphasizes safety, attention to detail, and outdoor work year-round.

Qualifications include a high school diploma and forklift or CDL certifications are a plus; a dependable team player is essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• 1+ year in yard, warehouse, or related roles.
• CDL and/or forklift certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and organize the equipment yard and storage areas.
• Stage, load, unload equipment, and assist with shipping/receiving.
• Assist customers and branch staff with yard activities.
• Follow safety policies and wear PPE in yard and shop areas.
• Perform routine yard checks and report safety concerns.

Skills

Forklift operation

Equipment handling

Safety awareness

Verbal communication

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CDL Certification

Forklift Certification

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Blaze - Maryland - Jessup, MD 20794, Position Type: Full Time, Job Shift: Day

Position Summary

The Yard Associate supports daily branch operations by maintaining a safe, clean, organized, and customer-ready equipment yard. This position is responsible for staging, moving, inspecting, cleaning, fueling, loading, unloading, and tracking equipment while also supporting service, rental, sales, parts, and delivery activity. The role requires strong attention to safety and detail, dependable follow-through, good communication, and the ability to work outdoors year-round in all weather conditions while working around heavy equipment, trucks, trailers, forklifts, customers, technicians, vendors, and branch personnel.

Key Responsibilities

Yard Operations & Equipment Handling

• Maintain the equipment yard, storage areas, loading areas, walkways, and traffic lanes in a clean, organized, and safe condition.
• Stage, park, retrieve, reposition, load, and unload equipment, attachments, tools, parts, and materials using forklifts, pallet jacks, trucks, trailers, or other equipment as required.
• Assist customers, drivers, technicians, rental staff, sales staff, and vendors with yard activity, equipment movement, loading, unloading, pickup, delivery, and branch support needs.
• Perform basic yard checks, including confirming equipment location, documenting visible damage, checking fuel or fluid levels when assigned, and identifying equipment that needs service, cleaning, repair, or management follow-up.
• Assist with general yard upkeep as needed, including mowing, trimming, edging, debris removal, and maintaining a clean, safe, and organized outdoor work area.

Equipment Readiness, Inventory & Branch Support

• Wash, clean, fuel, organize, and prepare equipment and attachments for rental, sale, service, delivery, customer pickup, or internal use as directed.
• Support inbound and outbound equipment inspections by documenting condition, missing items, damage, yard location, fuel level, attachments, accessories, and other required information.
• Assist with inventory control by helping locate equipment, attachments, parts, tools, and supplies; report discrepancies, missing items, damage, or safety concerns to management.
• Follow all safety policies, yard procedures, traffic flow requirements, PPE requirements, equipment operating rules, and housekeeping standards while working in the shop, yard, and loading areas.

Qualifications / Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred; one or more years of yard, warehouse, equipment, rental, construction, logistics, material handling, automotive, truck, agricultural, or industrial work experience preferred.
• Experience operating forklifts, trucks, trailers, or other material-handling equipment preferred; must be willing and able to complete required training and operate equipment safely. CDL and/or Forklift Certification a plus.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and comfort working around heavy equipment, trucks, trailers, attachments, tools, parts, fluids, and outdoor industrial yard conditions.
• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to work professionally with customers, drivers, technicians, vendors, sales staff, rental staff, managers, and corporate departments.
• Must be dependable, safety-focused, organized, customer-focused, able to follow instructions, ask clarifying questions, report issues promptly, and work independently or as part of a team in a fast-paced branch environment.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed outdoors in an equipment yard and active service branch environment, with regular exposure to vehicles, forklifts, trucks, trailers, moving equipment, parts areas, wash areas, and shop operations.
• Must be comfortable working in normal yard and shop conditions, including noise, dust, exhaust, grease, fluids, weather changes, uneven surfaces, moving equipment, and other industrial surroundings.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, squat, crouch, kneel, climb, reach, push, pull, twist, and use hands and arms throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull items up to 50 lbs. as needed; heavier items must be moved with assistance or approved material-handling equipment.
• Must follow all posted safety rules and wear required PPE when working in the yard, shop, loading areas, wash areas, or around operating equipment.

Travel and Schedule Expectations

• Standard Monday-Friday schedule, with occasional overtime, weekend work, or schedule adjustments based on customer, delivery, rental, service, or business needs.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.