Company Background

Alta Forest Products in partnership with Itochu Building Products is the world's largest producer of wood fence boards, specializing in Western Red Cedar and other premium species found in the Pacific and Inland Northwest forests. In addition to producing fence boards and pallet stock lumber, Alta's zero-wood-waste sawmills produce by-products such as wood chips, sawdust, mulch, and biofuel.

Headquartered in centrally located Chehalis, Washington, Alta operates in multiple Northwest rural communities including Morton, WA; Winlock, WA; Shelton, WA; Amanda Park, WA; Lewiston ID; Bonners Ferry, ID; and Naples, ID.

The Role

The shipping forklift operator is primarily responsible for operating a forklift to load and unload material from trucks and rails and move, locate, and stack fencing units. The Shipping Forklift driver will take directions from the Facilities Manager. The operator is always accountable for their vehicle's safe, efficient operation.

Responsibilities

• Product Management: Will track and manage product inventory in addition to unloading inbound or outbound shipments      safely and moving products to storage locations. Efficiently stack and store the merchandise in designated areas.
• Quality: Ensure inbound and outbound shipping documents are accurate and merchandise is free of damage. Report all quality issues to supervisor. All products for outbound shipment must be free of debris and securely packaged. Replace any broken      bands and clean or replace damaged bags/wrap prior to shipment.
• Order Picking: Pull and prepare product for shipment, ensuring that the exact number and type of product is loaded and shipped.
• Loading: Safely and efficiently move products from staging area and/or storage areas into/onto flatbed trailers and van/containers.
• Equipment: Load, unload, move, stack and stage product and materials using a forklift. Use radio equipment to communicate instructions for loading and unloading, and any other functions, as required. Maintain all equipment and grounds in a neat, clean, and orderly fashion. Daily, inspect and fill out forklift inspection sheets prior to operation. Operate all equipment in a safe and efficient manner, following prescribed work methods. Report to supervisor any damage or problems to equipment or facility.
• Safety, Sanitation, Security: Maintain a clean, neat, and orderly work area. Conduct operations in a manner that promotes      safety. Comply with Alta Forest Products safety standards. Clean the inside and outside of the forklift daily.
• Physical Labor: Be able to perform any of the following actions in an efficient and safe manner. Assemble V-boards, Rail Packs, and Stack Packs. Repackage, Restack, and Barcode units of fencing. Wash unit packages of any dirt, mud, or sawdust debris.
• Yard Maintenance: Keep walkways and yard clear of debris and tripping/safety hazards. Ensure proper stock rotation and consolidation. Keep miscellaneous units put away and organized.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

This position is classified as “safety-sensitive,” meaning that an accident in this role could result in loss of life, serious bodily injury, or significant damage to property or the environment, as such candidates will be subject to comprehensive pre-employment drug screening. 

Education/Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age; have a high school diploma or GED; have a valid state-issued driver’s license; must have at least 3+ years of forklift experience.
• Previous experience leading or managing people and general knowledge of HR principles and practices.
• Knowledge of OSHA and other safety and environmental regulations
• Knowledge of general maintenance methods, operating requirements, and safety precautions related to facilities management.
• Must be well organized, detail-oriented and a self-starter
• Employees must be able to read, speak, and understand English. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must
• Must have the ability to respond effectively to sensitive issues
• Employee must be able to work effectively independently and as a member of a small team.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual needs to know basic computer and data entry skills
• Ability to solve problems involving several options

Certificates and Licenses:

• PIT (Training received onsite)

Work Environment  

 This role will operate in a heavy industrial environment. While performing the duties of this job, employees will regularly be exposed to machinery and moving mechanical parts. This position will often be exposed to noise, hazards, airborne particulates, and temperature changes in indoor and outdoor weather conditions. Work will primarily be performed outdoors.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

This role may operate in a professional office, log yards, sawmill, warehouse or shipping and railyard. While performing the duties of this job, employees will be exposed to machinery and moving mechanical parts. This position will often be exposed to noise, hazards, airborne particulates, and temperature changes.

Physical Demands 

An employee must meet the physical demands described here to successfully perform this job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodation may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

•  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile
• This position requires the frequent use of basic hand tools
• The employee will need to lift or carry 25 pounds or more frequently and may, at times, be required to lift/move up to 100 pounds.
• This position requires the ability to stand, sit, walk, bend, kneel, and stoop for extended lengths of time
• The employee will be required to use their hands and fingers to handle, feel, reach for tools or materials
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus used for depth perception

Position Type/Travel/Schedule

• This is a full-time, non-exempt position, and compensable overtime work may be required as projects or job duties demand.
• Monday-Friday, 40 hours a week, occasional mandatory overtime. 

Benefits & Pay

• Pay: $26.00 per hour
• Pay Differential $1.50 per hour for Swing, Graveyard and Weekend Shifts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance Plans
• Employer paid Employee and Family Life Insurance
• Paid time off, Vacation, Holiday, Sick Leave
• Employee Referral Program
• 401k Retirement 
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Paid Training Opportunities
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance Options, Additional Life, Pet, Illness, Accident, and Ambulance Insurance

Alta Forest Products is an equal opportunity employer. It considers all applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, disability, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Small company, big opportunity! Growing & investing in employees and mills, Alta aims to be an industry leader in product quality and employee experience.