Portable Plant Laborer

Position Summary

The Portable Ready-Mix Batch Plant Laborer supports daily plant operations by maintaining a clean, safe, and orderly work site; assisting with material handling and loadout; performing routine cleaning of the plant and supporting the batch plant operator as directed. The role is physically demanding and performed primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain housekeeping throughout the plant, yard, loadout, and washout areas, including shoveling, sweeping, and removing accumulated concrete and material spillage.
• Wash down mixer trucks, chutes, hoppers, and the loadout area; manage washout containment within capacity.
• Chip and remove hardened concrete buildup from the mixer, hoppers, chutes, and equipment surfaces.
• Assist with charging aggregate bins and moving stockpile material under direction of the operator or loader operator.
• Inspect and clear conveyor belts, gates, and chutes of jams, buildup, and foreign material.
• Support loadout: guide trucks, assist with chute positioning, and add water or admixtures as directed.
• Perform basic maintenance and lubrication tasks; report equipment defects, leaks, and safety hazards promptly.
• Maintain dust control and stormwater/spill containment measures around the site.
• Assist with QC sampling and slump testing as directed (cones, molds, thermometer).
• Follow all lockout/tagout, confined space, and PPE procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the plant manager or batch plant operator.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Prior experience in construction, ready-mix, aggregates, or a labor-intensive role preferred but not required; will train.
• Valid driver's license preferred; CDL a plus.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
• Must be willing to work early mornings, overtime, weekends, and variable hours based on production demand.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong work ethic, reliability, and punctuality.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and safety procedures.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn plant operations.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Attention to detail and awareness of surroundings in an active industrial yard.
• Basic math skills for measuring and recording materials.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50–75 lbs.
• Stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb ladders/stairs throughout the shift.
• Use hand and power tools, shovels, and washdown equipment for extended periods.
• Work at heights on the batch tower and in confined spaces as required.
• Repetitive motion, gripping, and sustained physical exertion.
• Specific vision and hearing abilities are sufficient to work safely around heavy equipment.

Work Environment

• Outdoor plant and yard environment with exposure to all weather conditions, heat, and cold.
• Exposure to dust, cement, aggregates, admixtures, noise, vibration, and heavy mobile equipment.
• Required personal protective equipment: hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, high-visibility vest, steel-toe boots, and hearing protection as posted.
• Fast-paced, production-driven environment requires strict adherence to safety protocols.

Safety Responsibilities

• Comply with all company, OSHA, MSHA (where applicable), and site-specific safety policies.
• Wear required PPE at all times and inspect it before use.
• Follow lockout/tagout and confined-space entry procedures.
• Report all injuries, near-misses, spills, and unsafe conditions immediately.
• Keep work areas clean and free of slip, trip, and fall hazards.