Outdoor Forklift Operator

Job Title: Outdoor Forklift Operator
Job Description

The Outdoor Forklift Operator works in a busy lumber and building materials yard, operating large outdoor counterbalance forklifts to move oversized construction materials while also performing general labor tasks. This role focuses on safely loading and unloading trailers, organizing products in the yard using RF scanners, and handling heavy materials in an outdoor, all-weather environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate large outdoor counterbalance forklifts to move oversized construction materials, including lumber, 60-foot frame pieces, and V-roof wooden structures.
• Load and unload trailers safely and efficiently, ensuring loads are secure and handled according to yard procedures.
• Perform shipping and receiving activities, including moving product to and from designated areas and staging loads for dispatch.
• Pick orders accurately using RF scanners and ensure the correct materials are prepared for customers and internal requirements.
• Organize and maintain yard inventory, placing materials in designated locations to maximize space and support efficient workflow.
• Spend approximately 30–40% of the day operating forklifts and the remaining time performing general labor duties as required.
• Lift and move materials weighing 50–60 lbs as needed, maintaining safe lifting techniques and supporting team members with manual handling tasks.
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions, maintaining productivity and safety in varying temperatures and environmental conditions.
• Follow all safety procedures, including safe equipment operation, traffic flow, and awareness of multiple forklifts operating in the yard.
• Collaborate closely with coworkers and leadership, communicating clearly to coordinate material movements and yard activities.
• Participate in on-the-job training and in-house forklift certification to upgrade skills and adapt to oversized forklift equipment.
• Support a positive yard culture by being coachable, receptive to feedback, and contributing to a team-oriented environment.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 1 year of outdoor sit-down forklift experience on rough terrain.
• Proven experience loading and unloading materials using a sit-down or outdoor counterbalance forklift.
• Order picking experience in a yard, warehouse, or similar material handling environment.
• Previous outdoor work experience with comfort working in all weather conditions.
• Material handling experience using RF scanners for picking, shipping, and receiving.
• Ability to lift and carry 50–60 lbs as required throughout the shift.
• Experience with shipping and receiving processes, including handling incoming and outgoing loads.
• Ability to operate sit-down forklifts safely in a busy yard environment with multiple machines in operation.
• Willingness to work Monday to Friday on a day shift schedule (approximately 6:00 . to 2:30 .
• Strong teamwork mindset, with the ability to work cooperatively and accept feedback in a fast-paced environment.
• Reliable transportation to a non–transit-accessible location.
• Commitment to wearing required safety gear, including 6-inch tie-up steel-toe boots and a safety vest.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Forklift certification from a third-party provider; expired tickets are acceptable as in-house recertification is available.
• Experience working in a lumber yard or with building materials.
• Familiarity with brands such as Sellick and Manitou forklifts.
• Experience operating stand-up forklifts in addition to sit-down units.
• Ability to work different shifts, including potential moves to evening or night shifts with a shift premium.
• Comfort working in dusty, noisy, and high-activity environments with multiple forklifts in operation.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to training and skill upgrades, including potential training at a main plant for forklift ticket upgrades.
• Strong communication skills and a positive, team-oriented attitude suited to a sports-team style culture.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers a long-term, stable position in a growing operation that promotes from within and values employee development. Team members benefit from a supportive, kind, and tenured leadership group that invests in training, including in-house forklift certification and potential upgrades at a main plant. The culture emphasizes teamwork, coachability, and mutual support, reinforced by regular company events such as bi-weekly barbecues. As employees transition to permanent status, they gain access to a comprehensive benefits package and ongoing opportunities for advancement into lead hand and supervisory roles.

Work Environment

The role is based in a busy outdoor yard and facility with approximately 60 staff members and around 18 outdoor forklifts operating continuously. The environment is dusty, noisy, and fast-paced, with significant forklift and material handling activity. Work takes place primarily outdoors in all weather conditions, with minimal time spent indoors. Forklifts are heated, but operators spend only about 30–40% of their shift on the equipment and are exposed to cold temperatures for much of the winter. The site is not accessible by public transit, so reliable transportation is required. The standard schedule runs Monday to Friday on a day shift (approximately 6:00 . to 2:30 , with the possibility of other shifts that may include a shift premium. Required attire includes dressing appropriately for the weather and wearing 6-inch tie-up steel-toe boots and a safety vest at all times to meet safety standards.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Nisku, AB.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $23.00/hr.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Nisku,AB.

À propos d'Aerotek

Nous savons qu’il est difficile de trouver du travail, et qu’il est encore plus difficile de trouver un travail enrichissant. Chaque année, Aerotek met en contact plus de 180 000 travailleurs de l’industrie légère et de métiers spécialisés avec plus de 14 000 employeurs, aidant ainsi nos travailleurs à naviguer dans un marché du travail en constante évolution et à trouver des emplois qui correspondent à leurs objectifs, à leurs compétences et à leurs centres d’intérêt. Depuis 1983, nous offrons une variété de possibilités de carrière dans l’industrie nord-américaine, soit des affectations à court terme dans les entreprises du Fortune 500 où vous pouvez développer vos compétences, soit des possibilités à long terme où vous pouvez jouer un rôle important en relevant les défis des entreprises en matière de construction, de fabrication et d’entretien. Notre équipe de plus de 1 500 recruteurs chevronnés, répartis dans plus de 250 bureaux, travaille sans relâche pour permettre à notre main-d’œuvre de s’épanouir. Permettez-nous de nous montrer à la hauteur de vos défis et de mettre à l’épreuve notre philosophie « Notre monde nous tient à cœur » au fur et à mesure que votre carrière évolue.

Aerotek offre un salaire hebdomadaire, des avantages sociaux y compris des soins médicaux, des soins dentaires et des soins de la vue, ainsi qu’un programme d’aide aux employés et un programme de rabais.

La société souscrit au principe d’égalité d’accès à l’emploi et examinera toutes les candidatures sans tenir compte de la race, du sexe, de l’âge, de la couleur, de la religion, de l’origine nationale, du statut de vétéran, de handicap, de l’orientation sexuelle, de l’identité de genre, de l’information génétique ou de toute autre caractéristique protégée par la loi.

Ordonnance sur l’égalité des chances de San Francisco:
Conformément à l’Ordonnance sur l’égalité des chances de San Francisco, pour tous les postes situés dans la ville et le comté de San Francisco, nous examinerons les candidatures des personnes qualifiées ayant un casier judiciaire ou des antécédents criminels.

Utilisation de l’intelligence artificielle (IA):
Nous pouvons utiliser l’intelligence artificielle (IA) pour soutenir certaines étapes de notre processus d’embauche, notamment la recherche, la présélection et l’évaluation des candidatures. L’IA aide à analyser les candidatures et les qualifications, mais les décisions finales sont prises par notre équipe de recrutement. En soumettant votre candidature, vous reconnaissez et acceptez que celle-ci puisse être examinée à l’aide d’outils d’IA.

About Aerotek

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, employee assistance and discount programs.

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.

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.