YARD OPERATOR I

Gerdau; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 24,796 - 35,817; Full time

Job summary

Gerdau in Charlottesville, VA is seeking a Yard Operator I to support yard operations, scrap handling, and material movement. The role requires operating a crane or loader, inspecting scrap quality, and coordinating with scale, supervisors, and customers to meet shipping requirements.

You will follow all safety, environmental, and maintenance routines, assist in nonferrous processing, and participate in daily safety practices.

Qualifications

• Desire to enhance skills and develop as a Gerdau employee.
• Promote and practice Gerdau core values.
• High School education preferred.

Responsibilities

• Follow all Gerdau safety, environmental, and routine yard procedures.
• Operate yard equipment to load/unload scrap and assist in processing.
• Ensure scrap is scanned for radiation and quarantined if needed.
• Inspect scrap grade/quality and communicate findings to scale.
• Assist maintenance and participate in daily safety routines.

Skills

Scrap grading

Safety procedures

Equipment operation

Quality inspection

Communication

Education

High School diploma

Tools

Crane operation

Loader operation

Baler operation

Material handling

Job description

YARD OPERATOR I

Date: Jul 8, 2026

The Yard Operator has a variety of duties and a broad skill set that makes this position an important part of operational needs. The Yard Operator requires knowledge of scrap grading, or have the ability to learn. The Yard Operator will assist in several aspects of daily operational needs such as scrap inspection, ferrous and non-ferrous purchasing, mobile equipment operation, and performing general maintenance duties.

The Yard Operator will be expected to safely operate a material handling crane or loader in order to accomplish daily tasks. They must communicate regularly with the scale, supervisor, other coworkers, and customers about the quality of material and shipping requirements.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow all established Gerdau Safety, Environmental, and Routine procedures specific to the yard.
• Work involves a variety of tasks, simple through moderately complex in nature, requiring some care to ensure correct procedures are being followed.
• Ensure that all incoming scrap is scanned for radiation and that all material that fails the scan is quarantined and the appropriate personnel are notified.
• Operate the loader and/or the material handler to assist in loading and unloading scrap material, while following the quality standards of Gerdau and the customer.
• Ensure that all incoming scrap inspected against quality, and environmental standards and appropriate deductions and downgrades are applied. Communicate findings with the scale in a timely manner.
• Inspect and verify scrap for grade and quality. Identify deductions and downgrades.
• Ensure that all outbound materials meets safety and quality standards.
• Perform and document daily Routine Equipment Care (REC).
• Detect and report faulty material, environmental hazards, safety, and/or improper operation of plant equipment or machinery; refer questionable and unusual matters to proper supervision. Maintain work area and equipment in a clear and orderly fashion.
• Promote and practice the core values of Gerdau.
• Participation in daily safety routine.

Locations with Rail

• For Operations that have rail; shift full and empty cars, operate locomotive, activate switches, couple and uncouple cars, and set brakes or wheel blocks as requested, in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist in monthly inventory counts (where applicable)
• Assist maintenance personnel in the performance of equipment repairs as required or directed.
• Operate the Baler Operation.
• Assist in nonferrous processing; including segregation of materials to upgrade products. For example: Copper, Brass, Aluminum, etc.
• Assist co-workers in daily operational duties that are essential to the yard in terms of safety, efficiency, and profitability.
• Stage and remove material for torching with a material handler (where applicable).
• Problem solving input and contributions as required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Qualifications and Experience

• Desire to enhance skills and knowledge to develop as a Gerdau employee
• Promote and practice the core values of Gerdau
• High School Education preferred.

Gerdau believes in equal employment opportunity related to all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of Gerdau that there will be no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. All external applicants must be legally eligible to immediately work in the country of hire without current or future sponsorship.

If you are vision‑impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 or [e-mail]

Nearest Major Market: Charlottesville

Nearest Secondary Market: Virginia