Heavy Equipment Operator

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Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP) is a leading global provider of essential minerals focused on safely delivering where and when it matters to help solve nature’s challenges for customers and communities. The company’s salt products help keep roadways safe during winter weather and are used in numerous other consumer, industrial, chemical and agricultural applications. Its plant nutrition products help improve the quality and yield of crops while supporting sustainable agriculture. Compass Minerals operates 12 production and packaging facilities with more than 1,800 employees throughout the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Visit compassminerals.com for more information about the company and its products.

Summary: This position is primarily responsible for operating at least one of three pieces of heavy equipment, a front-end loader, a dozer, or an excavator in such a way as to efficiently recover raw materials from the pond floors without damaging the pond floor. This equipment will also be used to move stockpiled material or to load trucks.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: (Management reserves the right to add or modify the duties and responsibilities at any time.)

• Conducts safety inspections at the beginning of the shift.
• On the checklist record meter reading at the beginning of a shift, mechanical condition, noting any physical or mechanical problems, date and time of operator use.
• Notify Mobile maintenance of any physical or mechanical problems.
• At the end of the shift, record the ending meter reading, sign the checklist, and turn it in to the shift supervisor.
• Visually look on all sides of the equipment to verify clearance from obstacles or other vehicles prior to moving any equipment.
• With the use of a front-end loader, pick up salt from wind rows with the front-end loader bucket and place material into the trailer of waiting for salt trucks. Each salt truck should be loaded within 6-7 minutes.
• With the use of a front-end loader, pick up potash from the wind row area with a bucket and place material into the trailer of waiting for potash trucks. Each potash truck should be loaded within 3-4 minutes.
• Complete a daily load sheet by writing down what trucks were loaded and the time it took to load each truck. This load sheet will be turned in to the supervisor at the end of each shift.
• Using a dozer, push the harvested material into specific storage areas based on the grade and quality of the material. By separating feed material, the plant can specify which grade is to be fed to the process plant at any given time.
• Individuals will be reassigned to a pond crew during harvest shutdowns. Assignments and accountability will be under the direction of the pond supervisor.

Deliverables:

• Trucks will be loaded within specified times (typically 3 minutes for singles & 6 minutes for doubles).
• Grades and quality of feed materials will be separated in the stockpile area (must know piles by grade and be able to supply to plant at required rates up to 510 tph as called for).
• Documentation of trucks loaded and loading times will be accurately recorded on an hourly basis to be compiled for a full 12-hour shift report.
• Equipment safety checks will be done prior to operations specifying any known safety, or operational defects, and reported to the shift supervisor prior to operating.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to fulfill each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required and should be considered the minimum standard. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience: Must have a high school diploma and previous experience or education demonstrating the ability to effectively oversee the assigned area of responsibility and perform the tasks listed below and above. Education beyond high school will be considered as a potential value-added factor in the selection process.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be PC literate and proficient with Excel, Word, Outlook, and Access to analyze and communicate information. Must be able to effectively navigate an ERP system to issue work requests and review inventory.

Competency: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Interpersonal Skills - Ability to interact effectively with others, works effectively as a member of a team, and demonstrate pertinent CMP Core Principles.

Written Communication – Must be able to communicate in English in a concise, complete, and well-organized manner. Ability to read, analyze and interpret job-related information in English. Able to complete reports/logs accurately, and in a legible and understandable manner.

Planning/Organizing - Must be able to plan and organize a schedule that is conducive to position duties. Must have the ability to independently and effectively plan organize, coordinate and follow-up, and report on assignments. Must be able to multitask and remain on task in hectic situations.

Professionalism - Approaches others in a respectful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Follows through on commitments.

Quality – Able to follow and direct the communicated/trained quality procedures. Able to recognize and resolve issues affecting product quality. Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Language Skills: The abilities listed are representative of the level of competency the incumbent needs in order to effectively perform the essential duties. These specific abilities may or may not be required for this particular position.

In addition to the requirements for underwritten communications, it is essential that verbal communications are in English and are clear, concise easily understood by others. This is particularly important when communicating via radio.

Mathematical and Reasoning Ability and Skills: The ability to accurately perform basic math functions. Ability to collect and accurately assemble data in a logical manner. Testing will be conducted for aptitude.

Essential Job Functions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is also required to stand; walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able to walk on wet and uneven surfaces and climb stairs and/or ladders to tanks and platforms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds with assistance.

Compass Minerals is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are firmly committed to making all employment-related decisions without regard to race, ancestry, ethnicity, color, religious creed or belief, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy and breastfeeding), age, military or veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by law. Learn more about equal employment opportunity laws at dol.gov. July 2025

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.