What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operator Apprentice 1 position at Packaging Corporation of America?
As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.
People
At PCA, you’ll find the best people in the industry operating in a “golden rule” culture. We actively promote mutually rewarding relationships with each other and our customers by advocating respect for every individual, ethical and fair practices, and the highest standards in what we say and do. PCA is proud to have a highly skilled and experienced team leading the way.
As a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest producers of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the U.S., PCA offers customers broad expertise and economies of scale, while our multiple plant locations let us rapidly meet the local needs of our customers.
PRODUCTION OPERATOR APPRENTICE
Packaging Corporation of America, DeRidder, LA paper mill, a leader in safety, is seeking applicants possessing safety leadership skills for the following positions in its production department.
Starting pay for Production Operator Apprentice is $26.02 per hour. After successful completion of 60-work day probationary period, candidates will be eligible for a wage increase every six months for two (2) years when Operator “C” classification is achieved.
The Production Operator Apprentice is an entry level position that will work in all departments of the mill. During the two (2) year Apprenticeship, the Production Operator Apprentice will perform the duties to become a “C” Operator in their assigned department. This may include driving a lift truck, operating heavy equipment, operating and monitoring equipment.
Principle Accountabilities
Depending on where the Production Operating Apprentice is assigned, the following are some of the job tasks:
Paper Machine
Process finished paper as it comes off the paper machine
Operate Cranes and Hoist
Check rolls for defects
Insert paper cores
Inside work
Shipping and Old Corrugated Cardboard (O.C.C.)
Operate clamp truck and bale truck
Load and unload truck trailers and rail cars of either O.C.C. or finished rolls
From storage/warehouse, load conveyor with O.C.C. or unload conveyor of finished rolls
Inside work for shipping
Outside work for O.C.C.
Woodyard
Operate Heavy Equipment (Dozers, Bobcat, Front End Loaders, 18-wheeler log truck, etc.)
Cleanup bark, chips. Use shovel, rake, and water hose
Clean catwalks and conveyor belts
Works at heights of excess of 50 feet
Outside work in all elements
Pulp Mill And Powerhouse
Ground and outside person
Monitor equipment and relay information to “A” Operators
Make adjustments to equipment as needed
Emergency Response Team
Production Operator Apprentice will be required to be a member of the Emergency Response Team
Fire, Confined Space, HazMat
Attend and participate in quarterly training
Work at heights and in confined spaces
Meet requirements to use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
Basic Qualifications
At least 18 years of age
High School Diploma or GED equivalent
24 months’ full-time work experience with 12 months industrial experience in the last 36 months
Ability to work 12-hour rotating day/night shifts and overtime
Good communication skills
Strong safety, attendance and teamwork background
Ability to perform basic physical tasks (pushing, bending, twisting and repetitive motions)
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple requests simultaneously.
Must be authorized to work in the United States
Preferred qualifications: 5 years’ experience in an industrial / manufacturing setting or equivalent military experience
The successful candidate must possess the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Must be willing to work closely on a day-to-day basis with other production personnel.
Ability to share ideas with others to solve problems of essential importance.
Work with a sense of urgency.
Strong computer skills.
PCA provides a competitive comprehensive benefits package
Tests And Board Interview
Those selected to go through the PCA hiring process will be asked to take a series of five written tests and take part in a structured board interview.
The Five Written Tests Are All Timed And Involve
Basic mechanical principles
Basic arithmetic skills
The ability to visualize three-dimensional figures
The ability to compare numbers or patterns quickly and accurately
Basic verbal ability
The interview will be conducted by a four-person board and involves a review of each candidates:
Work history
Achievements and accomplishments
Knowledge and skill acquisition
Interpersonal skills and helpfulness
Task related likes and dislikes
Physical demands experienced on previous jobs
All qualified applicants must apply by July 5, 2026 at
Careers.packagingcorp.com
PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories
Compensation And Benefits
Qualified Applicants must apply at careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.
People
- Customers
- Trust
- Customers
- Trust
At PCA, you’ll find the best people in the industry operating in a “golden rule” culture. We actively promote mutually rewarding relationships with each other and our customers by advocating respect for every individual, ethical and fair practices, and the highest standards in what we say and do. PCA is proud to have a highly skilled and experienced team leading the way.
As a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest producers of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the U.S., PCA offers customers broad expertise and economies of scale, while our multiple plant locations let us rapidly meet the local needs of our customers.
PRODUCTION OPERATOR APPRENTICE
Packaging Corporation of America, DeRidder, LA paper mill, a leader in safety, is seeking applicants possessing safety leadership skills for the following positions in its production department.
Starting pay for Production Operator Apprentice is $26.02 per hour. After successful completion of 60-work day probationary period, candidates will be eligible for a wage increase every six months for two (2) years when Operator “C” classification is achieved.
The Production Operator Apprentice is an entry level position that will work in all departments of the mill. During the two (2) year Apprenticeship, the Production Operator Apprentice will perform the duties to become a “C” Operator in their assigned department. This may include driving a lift truck, operating heavy equipment, operating and monitoring equipment.
Principle Accountabilities
Depending on where the Production Operating Apprentice is assigned, the following are some of the job tasks:
Paper Machine
Process finished paper as it comes off the paper machine
Operate Cranes and Hoist
Check rolls for defects
Insert paper cores
Inside work
Shipping and Old Corrugated Cardboard (O.C.C.)
Operate clamp truck and bale truck
Load and unload truck trailers and rail cars of either O.C.C. or finished rolls
From storage/warehouse, load conveyor with O.C.C. or unload conveyor of finished rolls
Inside work for shipping
Outside work for O.C.C.
Woodyard
Operate Heavy Equipment (Dozers, Bobcat, Front End Loaders, 18-wheeler log truck, etc.)
Cleanup bark, chips. Use shovel, rake, and water hose
Clean catwalks and conveyor belts
Works at heights of excess of 50 feet
Outside work in all elements
Pulp Mill And Powerhouse
Ground and outside person
Monitor equipment and relay information to “A” Operators
Make adjustments to equipment as needed
Emergency Response Team
Production Operator Apprentice will be required to be a member of the Emergency Response Team
Fire, Confined Space, HazMat
Attend and participate in quarterly training
Work at heights and in confined spaces
Meet requirements to use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
Basic Qualifications
At least 18 years of age
High School Diploma or GED equivalent
24 months’ full-time work experience with 12 months industrial experience in the last 36 months
Ability to work 12-hour rotating day/night shifts and overtime
Good communication skills
Strong safety, attendance and teamwork background
Ability to perform basic physical tasks (pushing, bending, twisting and repetitive motions)
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple requests simultaneously.
Must be authorized to work in the United States
Preferred qualifications: 5 years’ experience in an industrial / manufacturing setting or equivalent military experience
The successful candidate must possess the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Must be willing to work closely on a day-to-day basis with other production personnel.
Ability to share ideas with others to solve problems of essential importance.
Work with a sense of urgency.
Strong computer skills.
PCA provides a competitive comprehensive benefits package
Tests And Board Interview
Those selected to go through the PCA hiring process will be asked to take a series of five written tests and take part in a structured board interview.
The Five Written Tests Are All Timed And Involve
Basic mechanical principles
Basic arithmetic skills
The ability to visualize three-dimensional figures
The ability to compare numbers or patterns quickly and accurately
Basic verbal ability
The interview will be conducted by a four-person board and involves a review of each candidates:
Work history
Achievements and accomplishments
Knowledge and skill acquisition
Interpersonal skills and helpfulness
Task related likes and dislikes
Physical demands experienced on previous jobs
All qualified applicants must apply by July 5, 2026 at
Careers.packagingcorp.com
PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories
Compensation And Benefits
- Starting salary for position: $26.02 per hour.
- Paid Vacation: Accrued hours after 60 work day probation has been completed. Pro-rata Vacation during the initial year of hire based upon start date within the calendar year.
- Paid Holidays after 60 workday probation has been completed.
- Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision – and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
- Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
- Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Qualified Applicants must apply at careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.
Salary : $26