Asphalt Plant Loader Operator

The Asphalt Plant Loader Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently operating front-end loaders and related equipment to load, move, stockpile, and transport materials at the Barrett Paving Materials plant located s role supports continual plant operations, ensures material quality and inventory accuracy, and contributes to a safe work environment through adherence to company policies and regulatory requirements.

• Operate front-end loaders and auxiliary equipment (e.g., skid-steer, wheel loaders, yard dogs) to load aggregates, asphalt products, sand, gravel, and other raw materials into trucks, hoppers, stockpiles, or processing equipment.
• Perform daily pre-shift inspections of machinery, report and document any mechanical issues, and coordinate maintenance needs with the maintenance team.
• Load materials to meet production schedules and customer/transport requirements while optimizing fuel efficiency and minimizing material waste.
• Move raw materials within yard, stockpile materials to maintain balanced inventory and ensure accessibility for production lines.
• Assist with ground conditions, compaction tests, and material sampling as required under supervision and in accordance with QA/QC procedures.
• Maintain accurate material counts and inventory records; update computerized systems or manual logs for inbound/outbound materials.
• Operate in a safe manner following Barrett Paving Materials safety policies, PPE requirements, and OSHA regulations; practice lockout/tagout where applicable.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area; perform light maintenance tasks such as checking fluids, tire pressures, and lubrication as trained.
• Communicate with dispatch, supervisors, and fellow team members to coordinate movements and ensure timely completion of tasks.
• Adhere to all environmental controls and spill prevention measures; report any spills or hazardous conditions immediately.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process inefficiencies and safety concerns and suggesting solutions.

• High school diploma or equivalent; preferred but not required.
• Prior experience operating front-end loaders or similar heavy equipment in a quarry, asphalt plant, concrete plant, construction yard, or mining environment preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret production schedules, safety instructions, and basic measurement/quantity indicators.
• Basic mechanical aptitude; willingness to perform routine equipment checks and basic light maintenance.
• Physical ability to lift, carry, push/pull heavy materials; ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions; ability to stand, walk, bend, squat for extended periods.
• Strong mechanical and operational focus with attention to safety, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Good communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Willingness to comply with company policies, safety standards, and to participate in ongoing training.
• Outdoor facility with exposure to dust, noise, heat, cold, and moving equipment.
• Exposure to asphalt, concrete, and aggregate materials.
• Shift-based work; may require overtime, weekends, or holidays as production demands.
• Use of PPE including hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, gloves, steel-toe boots.

• Front-end loaders (e.g., wheel loader models appropriate to plant)
• Forklift or yard equipment as needed
• Basic hand tools for light maintenance

• Equipment uptime and reliability
• Accuracy of material inventory and loading
• Adherence to production schedules and delivery timelines
• Safety incident rate and near-miss reporting
• Housekeeping and organization of work area
• Fuel efficiency and waste reduction

• Regular standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly; occasional heavier lifting with assistance
• Ability to work in inclement weather and adverse conditions
• Hearing and vision adequate to operate equipment and read safety/QA/QC information

• Must follow Barrett Paving Materials safety policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Participate in safety training and toolbox talks.
• Immediate reporting of all accidents, injuries, or near-misses.
• Compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.

• OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour Construction safety certification
• Equipment-specific operator training certificates

• Competitive hourly wage and overtime opportunities