Demo

Heavy Equipment Operator

Beacon Recycling
Grand Rapids, MI Full Time
POSTED ON 12/4/2025 CLOSED ON 1/14/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Heavy Equipment Operator position at Beacon Recycling?

Description

We're looking for a skilled and safety-conscious Heavy Equipment Operator to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for operating various heavy machinery to efficiently lift, sort, move and process metal throughout our recycling yard. You'll play a key part in maintaining an organized and safe work environment, focusing on maximizing production while ensuring quality and safety.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

  • Operate heavy equipment, including material handlers (magnets and grapple attachments), loaders, balers, and shears to safely lift, move, process, and position materials according to company quality standards.
  • Operate equipment to load and move rail cars, ensuring proper procedures are followed.
  • Contribute to meeting daily production goals and deadlines.
  • Conduct pre-start checks and maintain accurate records of equipment use and maintenance.
  • Adhere to all safety procedures and practices to prevent accidents and damage. Immediately report any safety hazards.
  • Keep the yard clean and organized, ensuring all materials and debris are properly sorted and disposed of or recycled.
  • Assist with unloading materials and answer basic questions regarding inventory and delivery status as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed primarily in an outdoor yard environment, subject to variations in temperature and weather, equipment noise and dust.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

  • High School Diploma or equivalent

Work Experience

  • Three years industry-related experience with tools and equipment is required

Skills And Knowledge

  • Working knowledge of hazards and safety precautions common to heavy equipment operations
  • Have the ability and willingness to learn to recognize and classify metals such as brass, copper, stainless steel, aluminum and others
  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds frequently and on occasion up to 80 pounds
  • Must be able to meet the physical demands of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation
  • Must be able to stand, walk, lift, bend, squat, stoop, etc. for long periods of time
  • Must be willing to learn and strictly follow all company safety procedures
  • Ability to read, write and communicate in English to comprehend and follow written procedures, container labels and safety precautions
  • Good attention to detail
  • Ability to meet attendance schedule with dependability and consistency

Salary.com Estimation for Heavy Equipment Operator in Grand Rapids, MI
$46,049 to $61,710
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Heavy Equipment Operator?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Heavy Equipment Operator career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$46,327 - $63,969
Income Estimation: 
$69,651 - $95,335
Income Estimation: 
$52,573 - $74,196
Income Estimation: 
$46,554 - $64,445
Income Estimation: 
$69,651 - $95,335
Income Estimation: 
$52,573 - $74,196
Income Estimation: 
$52,573 - $74,196
Income Estimation: 
$66,645 - $93,368
Income Estimation: 
$39,089 - $49,080
Income Estimation: 
$47,432 - $61,916
Income Estimation: 
$46,327 - $63,969
Income Estimation: 
$46,554 - $64,445
Income Estimation: 
$41,052 - $57,276
Income Estimation: 
$47,432 - $61,916
Income Estimation: 
$46,327 - $63,969
Income Estimation: 
$46,554 - $64,445

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the Heavy Equipment Operator.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Construction Management Skill

    • Income Estimation: $145,106 - $205,475
    • Income Estimation: $146,163 - $191,458
  • Crew Dispatch Skill

    • Income Estimation: $41,054 - $63,884
    • Income Estimation: $106,582 - $128,279
This job has expired.
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Beacon Recycling

  • Beacon Recycling Grand Rapids, MI
  • Beacon Recycling | Grand Rapids & Wyoming, MI Beacon Recycling is seeking a versatile Yard Operations Specialist to support daily operations across our Gra... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • Beacon Recycling Wyoming, MI
  • Grand Rapids & Wyoming, MI Beacon Recycling is seeking a Scale Buyer & Yard Operations Specialist to support operations across our Grand Rapids and Wyoming... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • Beacon Recycling Grand Rapids, MI
  • Description At Beacon Recycling, we pride ourselves in our ability to manage scrap for our clients in West Michigan. Beacon works with organizations to hel... more
  • 12 Days Ago

  • Beacon Recycling Grand Rapids, MI
  • Job Type Full-time Description At Beacon Recycling, we pride ourselves in our ability to manage scrap for our clients in West Michigan. Beacon works with o... more
  • 13 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Heavy Equipment Operator jobs in the Grand Rapids, MI area that may be a better fit.

  • Michigan Wood Fibers Zeeland, MI
  • Michigan Wood Fibers is looking for a full-time, year-round, 1st shift Heavy Equipment Operator to join our team in Zeeland, MI. Our operators typically sp... more
  • 7 Days Ago

  • TurnKey Network Solutions Caledonia, MI
  • Primary responsibilities for this position include: Operate excavation equipment safely and efficiently. Mini-excavators and/or Horizontal Directional Dril... more
  • 26 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!