Forklift Operator - Kilns

Hampton Lumber is a thriving family-owned company aspiring to be North America's preferred source for responsibly-sourced wood solutions. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, we operate nine sawmills in Western Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. We also manage timberland and operate a wholesale and import/export division.  

Our mission is to grow, manufacture, and market renewable wood products and deliver innovative solutions for a more sustainable built environment. At Hampton Lumber, we accomplish this through our own operations as well as those of our affiliates—Trapa Forest Products, Idaho Timber, and RedBuilt. Our tagline, "Find a better way every day," encapsulates our commitment to innovation and improvement across all operations.
 

We are guided by our core values: 

• Safety – Prioritize safety across all operations.
• Integrity & Authenticity – Operate honestly and ethically while preserving our distinctive family-owned brand.
• Responsible Stewardship – Endeavor to balance and maintain economic, social, and environmental values in everything we do.
• Tenacity – Embrace challenges with grit, determination, and a can-do spirit. 
• Continuous Improvement – Strive to enhance our processes, products, and people.
• Customer Satisfaction – Be nimble, responsive, and solutions-oriented.
• Community Engagement – Be a responsive, supportive, and respected member of the community.

With over 80 years in the sawmill business, we are proud to have cultivated the knowledge and experience needed to grow and prosper, even in challenging times.  We always look to the future and invest in our people, new technologies, and continuous improvement processes and techniques. 

This position will be responsible for the management of rough lumber, loading/unloading kilns, helping with rough outfeed, and dry infeed as needed. This person will report to the Rough-End Kiln Supervisor. The person in this position will work overtime and other shifts as necessary to meet the needs of the operation. It is every person’s job to maintain the rough-end to a world class standard of cleanliness and organization. 

This is a fulltime position: three 12 hour shifts, 7am – 7pm Sunday-Tuesday and one 6 hour shift, Wednesday 7pm-1am; followed by three days off each week (hours and days may vary to meet the needs of the facility). 

Wage is $27.34 ($56,867 annually not including applicable shift differential, overtime, or production bonuses).  Ability to earn more money when you are proficient in specified tasks.

Salary Range: $27.34 - $31.67/hour

• Substantial company-paid assistance for Medical and Dental insurance premiums; mental health coverage; cost effective co-pays and deductibles
• 401(k) with 5% annual company contribution and generous company matching contributions vested over three years
• Paid time off, including eight paid holidays
• Opportunity to earn bonuses
• Employee wellness program that includes free counseling sessions, financial and legal guidance, and more
• Opportunities for paid training to support career advancement and personal development

General Job Description

Work safely and maintain a safe work environment for yourself and others. Responsible for the management of rough lumber inventory, loading and unloading kilns, supporting sawmill outfeed and planer infeed operations, and maintaining a clean and organized rough yard. This position is expected to work overtime and alternate shifts as necessary to meet operational needs.

Job Function

• Practice safe work habits and comply with all company work and safety standards
• Maintain the rough-end area to a world class standard of cleanliness and organization
• Safely operate powered industrial trucks (PIT) and related equipment
• Demonstrate good communication
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrate good hand-eye coordination and situational awareness
• Understand lumber flow and production requirements
• Perform basic equipment inspections and housekeeping
• Utilize downtime effectively to improve housekeeping and organization

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (not limited to)

• Follow all safety policies, procedures, and PIT operating requirements
• Complete daily equipment inspection prior to operating forklift
• Operate forklift to load and unload kilns safely and efficiently
• Ensure kiln carts are properly lubricated prior to loading
• Stack empty kiln carts and place them in designated storage locations
• Sort defective kiln carts and notify kiln personnel of issues
• Support sawmill outfeed and planer infeed operations as needed
• Assist other forklift operators when required
• Maintain designated rough yard zones
• Maintain production flow while ensuring quality and safety standards
• Assist with inventory counts and material tracking
• Keep work areas clean and organized throughout the shift
• Perform forklift housekeeping including:
  • Blowing out engine compartments
  • Cleaning and washing equipment
  • Disinfecting operator areas
  • Removing garbage and debris
• Utilize downtime for housekeeping activities including removal of sticks, dunnage, broken lumber, and debris
• Communicate equipment, safety, or production concerns to supervision
• Assist maintenance personnel during equipment issues when needed
• Demonstrate basic mechanical aptitude
• Attend training as assigned
• Train employees as assigned by supervision
• Work overtime and alternate shifts as necessary
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Experience or training required:

• Forklift/PIT Certification or ability to obtain certification
  
  

Preferred Experience

• Rough yard experience
• Kiln loading and unloading experience
• Sawmill or planer mill experience
• Knowledge of lumber species and product mix
• Experience operating large industrial forklifts
• PIT certification and/or obtain certification
• Have strong communication both verbal and written
• Ability to work/communicate professionally with sawmill and planer teams
• Ability to work independently
• Good hand/eye coordination
• Strong computer skills is preferred but not required
• Working knowledge of lumber species and product mix preferred but not required
  
  

Skills & Abilities

• Strong attention to detail
• Good time management skills
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced production environment
• Effective communication and teamwork
• Strong safety awareness
• Ability to prioritize work and maintain production flow
• Ability to maintain accurate inventory and material locations

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a loud, dusty industrial environment
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Frequent equipment operation and material handling
• Frequent walking on uneven surfaces
• Occasional bending, twisting, climbing, and lifting
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Ability to safely enter and exit equipment multiple times during

Darrington is a small town nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Cascade Mountains with easy access to national parks, hiking, skiing, fishing, and hunting. Hampton Lumber took over ownership of the Darrington mill in 2002 and today employs 175 people in good, family-wage jobs. We’re committed to creating a safe, competitive facility and opportunities for growth for our employees. Here, you have a career, not just a job. We take pride in this community and help where we can by supporting school events, athletic and family assistance programs, scholarships, and local clubs/businesses.

Learn more at hamptonlumber.com, or follow us on Facebook: @HamptonLumber.  You can also learn about our company and our priorities by visiting our blog.

Hampton Lumber is an equal opportunity employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by law. 

Disability accommodation available: If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office for the location that you are applying.

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see these government posters: EEO is the Law and its accompanying temporary supplement.