Find & Apply For Forklift / Pallet Jack Operator Jobs in Murrieta, California

Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Heavy-Capacity Forklift Operator to join our structural steel fabrication facility on the night shift. We are a proud union shop and this is a union position. This is NOT a typical warehouse forklift position. Our forklift operators work in a heavy industrial structural steel environment and are responsible for safely loading and unloading large structural steel members from flatbed trucks , moving steel throughout the fabrication yard and shop, and positioning material for production. The equipment used in this position is significantly larger than the typical warehouse forklift. Operators may be handling long, heavy, and awkward structural steel members including beams, columns, channels, tubing, plate, and fabricated steel assemblies. The ideal candidate will have previous experience operating large-capacity forklifts in a steel mill, structural steel fabrication facility, steel service center, construction yard, heavy manufacturing facility, or similar industrial environment. Important Experience Requirement Applicants must have experience operating large-capacity industrial forklifts and handling heavy or oversized materials. Experience operating a small warehouse forklift, pallet jack, or standard distribution-center forklift by itself does not meet the experience requirements for this position.

Relevant experience may include operating:

Large-capacity forklifts 15,000-25,000+ lb capacity forklifts Heavy-duty rough-terrain or industrial forklifts Forklifts used in steel mills or steel service centers Forklifts used in structural steel fabrication Forklifts used to load and unload flatbed trucks Forklifts handling long structural steel members Forklifts handling oversized or irregularly shaped loads Heavy industrial material-handling equipment Experience with Combi Lift or similar high-capacity equipment is highly desirable. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Safely operate a high-capacity forklift in a heavy industrial structural steel environment. Load and unload structural steel from flatbed trucks and trailers. Handle long beams, columns, channels, tubing, plate, and fabricated steel assemblies. Move structural steel safely between the receiving, fabrication, staging, and shipping areas. Position material accurately for CNC machines, fabrication operations, and shipping. Safely maneuver long loads through congested shop and yard areas. Determine appropriate fork placement and load positioning before moving material. Understand load balance, center of gravity, load capacity, and safe operating limits. Inspect loads and equipment before beginning work. Communicate with truck drivers, welders, machine operators, supervisors, and other employees during loading and unloading operations. Use spotters when required and maintain clear communication during material movement. Secure and stabilize loads as necessary during transportation. Assist with organizing and maintaining the steel yard and material staging areas. Identify damaged or improperly secured material and report concerns to supervision. Perform routine operator inspections and report equipment defects or maintenance issues. Maintain a clean and organized work area. Follow all company safety procedures and forklift operating requirements. Work safely around overhead cranes, trucks, trailers, welding operations, CNC equipment, and other heavy industrial equipment. Perform other material-handling duties as assigned. Flatbed Loading & Unloading A significant part of this position involves loading and unloading structural steel from flatbed trucks. The operator must be comfortable working around: Long and oversized steel members Multiple pieces of steel loaded together Uneven or irregular loads Chains, straps, dunnage, and other load-securing equipment Truck drivers and ground personnel Limited maneuvering space Outdoor yard conditions Nighttime loading and unloading operations The operator must understand that moving structural steel requires careful planning, controlled forklift movements, good communication, and constant awareness of the load and surrounding personnel. QualificationsRequired Previous experience operating a large-capacity industrial forklift . Experience handling heavy, long, or oversized materials. Experience loading and unloading flatbed trucks or similar trailers. Ability to safely maneuver large loads in a busy industrial environment. Understanding of forklift load capacity, load center, stability, and safe operating practices. Ability to accurately judge distances and clearances. Ability to communicate effectively with drivers, coworkers, and supervisors. Strong safety awareness and attention to detail. Ability to work independently during the night shift. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions. Preferred Structural steel fabrication experience. Steel mill or steel service center experience. Experience handling structural steel beams and columns. Experience operating Combi Lift or similar high-capacity forklifts . Experience operating 15,000-25,000+ lb capacity forklifts. Experience in a heavy manufacturing or industrial environment. Current forklift certification. Experience working around overhead cranes and other heavy material-handling equipment. What We Are Looking For We are looking for an operator who understands that moving structural steel is very different from moving pallets in a warehouse. Our material can be long, heavy, awkward, and difficult to maneuver. The operator must understand how the load will react when lifted, moved, turned, or positioned and must be able to safely work around other employees, equipment, trucks, and structures. The right candidate will be able to operate the forklift confidently while maintaining a strong focus on load control, clearances, communication, and safety. If your forklift experience consists primarily of moving pallets in a warehouse or distribution center, this is probably not the position you're looking for. Night Shift This is a night-shift position in a heavy industrial fabrication facility. The operator must be comfortable working independently during the night shift while maintaining the same level of safety, production, and attention to detail expected during the day.

Night-shift work may include:

Loading and unloading flatbed trucks Staging material for the next production shift Moving steel between fabrication areas Feeding material to CNC and fabrication equipment Organizing the steel yard Preparing completed material for shipment Work schedule is Monday through Thursday 1:30PM to 12:00AM, if OT is required it would be on Friday. Physical Requirements Ability to work in a heavy industrial steel fabrication environment. Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, and maneuver throughout the work area. Ability to work outdoors and in varying weather conditions. Ability to work around noise, dust, welding, sparks, cranes, trucks, and heavy equipment. Ability to maintain constant visual awareness of the forklift, load, surrounding equipment, and personnel. Ability to wear all required personal protective equipment. Safety Safety is a fundamental requirement of this position. Forklift operators are responsible for operating equipment within its rated capacity and following all applicable company safety procedures and forklift operating requirements. Operators are expected to stop operations and report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, unstable loads, or other safety concerns rather than taking unnecessary risks. Experience Level 3+ years of heavy-capacity forklift experience preferred. Experience in structural steel fabrication, steel service centers, steel mills, heavy manufacturing, construction material yards, or similar industrial environments is strongly preferred. We are willing to teach the right experienced heavy-equipment operator our specific equipment and processes. We are not looking to teach someone how to operate a large industrial forklift from scratch.

Pay:

$24.71 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 - 50.0 per week

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person