Forklift Operator

Job Title: Forklift Operator / Revert Technician

Job Description

This role focuses on safely and efficiently collecting, transporting, and processing aluminum chips, scrap steel, and nickel materials using a sit-down forklift within designated production and yard areas. The position also includes banding cardboard materials, preparing bags and boxes for shipment, and maintaining a clean, organized, and compliant work environment in accordance with site procedures and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate a sit-down forklift to collect, move, and handle chip bins, scrap solids, and other materials within production and yard areas.

• Verify material types, such as aluminum chips and scrap metals, before moving bins to ensure proper handling and processing.

• Inspect bins, bags, and chip materials for quality and contamination, including trash, other metals, and non-compliant materials.

• Consolidate metal chips into appropriate, clearly labeled bulk containers and ensure compatibility between materials and receiving containers.

• Drain bins of coolant as necessary and carefully tilt or rotate bins into bulk containers to minimize spillage and dust.

• Clean up loose-spilled chips immediately and sweep surrounding areas to maintain a clean and safe work environment.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free processing area through regular walkthroughs and housekeeping tasks.

• Perform pre-shift forklift inspections, including checking brakes, horn, lights, forks, tires, and fluid levels, and document findings accurately.

• Conduct pre-shift PPE checks to ensure all required protective equipment is worn and in good condition.

• Review daily material handling priorities and schedule with the supervisor at the start of each shift.

• Maintain the process for banding all cardboard materials using appropriate banding equipment and plastic wrap.

• Ensure all bags and boxes are properly wrapped and secured prior to shipment.

• Weigh and load bags, boxes, and other materials onto designated trucks in a safe and efficient manner.

• Use tip bins or totes as source containers for material transfer and ensure bulk containers are clearly labeled.

• Communicate any equipment malfunctions, material issues, or safety concerns promptly to the supervisor.

• Follow all onsite procedures, policies, and safety guidelines related to metal chip handling, scrap steel disposal, and cardboard banding.

• Use spill kits to respond to hydraulic or chip fluid leaks and perform appropriate cleanup.

• Update inventory information after material transfers to keep records accurate and current.

• Utilize brooms, dustpans, and other cleanup tools to maintain orderly workspaces around processing areas.

Essential Skills

• Proven ability to safely operate a sit-down forklift in a production or yard environment.

• Experience with material handling, including loading, transporting, and consolidating materials using forklifts and related equipment.

• Capability to inspect materials and containers for contamination and quality issues.

• Basic inventory handling skills, including updating inventory information after material transfers.

• Ability to perform and document daily forklift inspections, including brakes, horn, lights, forks, tires, and fluid levels.

• Strong attention to safety procedures, including consistent use of required PPE and adherence to onsite policies.

• Physical ability to perform general labor tasks such as sweeping, cleaning, banding cardboard, and wrapping bags and boxes.

• Skill in weighing and loading bags, boxes, and other materials onto trucks safely and efficiently.

• Ability to communicate clearly with supervisors regarding equipment, material, and safety issues.

• Competence in following step-by-step operating procedures for bin verification, material transfer, and post-transfer actions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using RF scanners for picking, packing, and inventory-related tasks.

• Familiarity with pallet jacks and other material handling tools in a warehouse or yard setting.

• general labor work, including packing, picking, and handling bulk materials.

• Comfort working with tip bins, totes, and bulk containers in an industrial environment.

• Ability to use cardboard banding equipment and plastic wrap to secure materials for shipment.

• Understanding of safe handling practices for metal chips, scrap steel, and nickel materials.

• Experience working in high-noise industrial areas with appropriate hearing protection.

• Detail-oriented mindset for maintaining accurate documentation and inventory records

Work Environment

This position is based in an industrial production and yard setting where metal chips, scrap steel, and cardboard materials are handled and processed. You primarily operate a sit-down forklift and work with bulk containers, tip bins, totes, spill kits, brooms, dustpans, and cardboard banding equipment with plastic wrap. The role follows a structured pre-shift period, typically between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM, for equipment inspection, PPE checks, area walkthroughs, and schedule review. The environment can include high-noise areas, requiring hearing protection, and you consistently wear safety glasses, steel-toe boots, and cut-resistant gloves when handling chips. A high-visibility vest may be required in certain zones. Work is hands-on and may involve exposure to dust, fluids, and outdoor yard conditions, with a strong emphasis on housekeeping and adherence to safety procedures

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Arlington, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $22.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision

• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

• Short and long-term disability

• Health Spending Account (HSA)

• Transportation benefits

• Employee Assistance Program

• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Arlington,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 30, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.