Shop Helper/Material Processing Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Shop Helper/Material Processing Assistant

Department: Production Team
Reports To: Shop Supervisor
Employment Type: Full-Time / Hourly

 
Our Team:
With over 50 years of experience in fire services, our staff includes firefighters who are stationed at some of the busiest departments in the country. We started this business with one goal in mind, to provide firefighters with the adequate tools they need to prepare them for real-world situations, keeping them alert and safe when on the job. Our team not only touts some of the most experienced firefighters, but also includes experienced fabricators to ensure our buildings exceed all design specifications and requirements.

Position Summary:

The Shop Helper supports daily operations in the steel fabrication shop by assisting skilled workers, handling materials, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring a safe and organized work environment. This is an entry-level position ideal for candidates looking to grow in the manufacturing or welding.

Key Responsibilities:

General Duties

• Cleaning and maintaining the shop involves tasks such as sweeping, removing scrap, emptying trash bins.
• Organize tools and materials effectively while handling tasks with efficiency and precision.
• Assisting skilled workers: Helping welders, fabricators, or machine operators with setup, positioning, or material handling.
• Material handling: Loading/unloading steel stock, moving parts, or raw materials using carts, dollies, a tractor, a telehandler, or forklifts (on-the-job training available but preference given to experienced operators).
• Basic machine support: Helping with feeding materials into saws, shears, plasma cutters, etc., under supervision.
• Assisting with shipping prep: Banding, palletizing, or wrapping finished products.
• Helping with minor repairs or maintenance of tools and equipment (under supervision).
• Running errands or performing shop errands as needed. (preference given to applicants with a CDL or Class B license for hauling the 40' trailer with the shop truck)

Inventory & Materials

• Receiving shipments: Unloading trucks, verifying deliveries, and organizing stock.
• Cutting and prepping materials for processing: Using basic hand tools or operating machines like grinders, saws, or sanders.
• Prepping material to be painted: surface preparation (sanding and removing rust), power washing.
• Labeling and staging parts: Marking components and preparing them for welding, fitting, or assembly.

Safety & Compliance

• Wearing proper PPE: Following shop safety rules and wearing gear like gloves, goggles, respiratory protection, steel-toe boots, etc.
• Reporting hazards: Notifying supervisors of damaged tools, unsafe practices, or material defects.
• Maintain environmental vigilance to identify and mitigate potential hazards before they impact yourself or staff safety.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. regularly and stand for extended periods.
• Basic understanding of hand and power tools.
• Previous experience in a manufacturing or metal shop environment is preferred.

Preferred Qualification  (based on experience or training):

• Forklift operation (on-the-job training would be available).
• Basic welding or torch cutting.

Work Environment:

• Indoor shop environment while trying to exposed the natural outdoor conditions.
• Will be surrounded by loud noises, heavy machinery, welding operations, and steel materials.
• Must be able to work in hot, cold, and dusty conditions depending on shop conditions.

Schedule & Pay:

• Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
• Competitive compensation based on qualifications.