Position Summary
The Log Yard Loader Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently operating a Volvo front-end articulating loader to support log yard and sawmill operations. This position is responsible for unloading log trucks, stacking logs by length, helping maintain accurate and organized log yard inventory, loading outbound trucks with cants, and assisting with general yard maintenance.
This role requires safe equipment operation, good judgment, organization, communication, and the ability to think ahead to support production flow. The Loader Operator plays an important role in keeping the sawmill supplied with the correct logs, maintaining an organized yard, and supporting efficient inbound and outbound material movement.
Essential Functions
- Safely operate a Volvo front-end articulating loader in the log yard and related work areas.
- Unload log trucks safely and efficiently.
- Sort and stack logs into organized piles based on log length and production needs.
- Help maintain log yard inventory by keeping log piles organized, accessible, and properly separated.
- Supply logs to the appropriate staging areas or production areas as directed.
- Load outbound trucks with cants or other assigned material.
- Assist with general yard maintenance, cleanup, roadways, travel paths, and housekeeping.
- Monitor log yard conditions and communicate concerns related to inventory, access, safety, or material flow.
- Coordinate with sawyers, machine operators, forklift operators, truck drivers, supervisors, and other yard personnel.
- Inspect equipment before use and report mechanical issues, leaks, damage, safety concerns, or maintenance needs.
- Operate equipment in a manner that reduces unnecessary movement and supports efficient yard flow.
- Follow all company safety procedures, including equipment safety, pedestrian awareness, PPE, traffic flow, load handling, and safe work practices around logs, trucks, and sawmill equipment.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support sawmill and yard operations.
Safety Responsibilities
- Operate the loader safely around log trucks, pedestrians, forklifts, trailers, stacked logs, production equipment, and changing yard conditions.
- Maintain awareness of blind spots, uneven surfaces, unstable logs, weather conditions, and other yard hazards.
- Ensure logs and cants are handled, stacked, and transported in a stable and controlled manner.
- Communicate clearly with truck drivers and other employees during unloading, loading, and yard movement.
- Stop and report unsafe conditions, unstable piles, damaged equipment, traffic hazards, or abnormal equipment operation immediately.
- Support a clean and organized yard environment to reduce hazards and improve material flow.
Required Qualifications
- Prior experience operating a front-end loader, wheel loader, articulating loader, forklift, heavy equipment, farm equipment, construction equipment, or similar machinery.
- Ability to safely operate equipment in an active yard environment with trucks, pedestrians, forklifts, and other moving equipment.
- Strong safety awareness and good judgment around logs, stacked material, trucks, and production areas.
- Ability to organize material by length, location, and production need.
- Ability to think ahead, support production flow, and reduce unnecessary equipment movement.
- Ability to communicate clearly and work well as part of a team.
- Reliable attendance and ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous sawmill, log yard, lumber, pallet, wood products, construction, farming, trucking yard, or heavy equipment experience.
- Experience unloading log trucks or handling logs with a loader.
- Experience loading outbound trucks with cants, lumber, logs, or other stacked material.
- Knowledge of log lengths, log yard organization, inventory flow, and safe log stacking practices.
- Mechanical aptitude and ability to recognize equipment or load-handling issues.
Physical Requirements / Work Environment
This position works in an industrial pine sawmill and log yard environment with exposure to noise, sawdust, moving equipment, log trucks, forklifts, trailers, logs, cants, weather conditions, uneven surfaces, mud, dust, and varying temperatures. The employee may be required to sit for extended periods while operating equipment, climb in and out of equipment, walk on uneven yard surfaces, inspect equipment, perform basic cleanup, and assist with yard-related tasks as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Schedule
This is a full-time position. Overtime, weekends, and schedule flexibility may be required based on production, log deliveries, yard needs, shipping needs, or maintenance requirements.
Advancement / Cross-Training Opportunity
Employees in this position may have the opportunity to cross-train in additional sawmill, yard, forklift, machine operator, or lead responsibilities based on safety record, attendance, work ethic, communication, equipment skill, and ability to support mill flow.
Pay Range: $22.00–$27.00 per hour, depending on experience
Currently offered to our employees:
Medical insurance
Health savings account with company contribution
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Basic and voluntary life insurance
Disability insurance
401(k) plan with company match
Paid vacation and holidays
Stock purchase program with employee discount
Educational reimbursement
Wellness programs and challenges
Other supplemental benefits
The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
