Entry to Mid-Level Softwood Lumber Grader

Applicants should apply to:   belcohr@belcofp.com

Job Description

Belco Forest Products Inc., located in Shelton Washington, currently has an opening for an entry to mid-level softwood Lumber Grader. This position is responsible for grading and sorting softwood (SPF and SYP) in accordance with third party (TP / SPIB) inspection requirements. Verifies that material meets customer requirements and company expectations. Works under immediate supervision; relies on specific direction and instructions.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Responsibilities

The key areas of focus for this position are as follows:

• Visually inspect and grade milled, rough sawed, or dimensional stock lumber in a safe and productive manner.
• Examine lumber on table, moving belt, chain conveyor, or in racks for defects such as knots, stains, decay, splits, faulty edges, pitch pockets, wormholes, and defective milling.
• Maximize yield by either determining if flaws in lumber need to be trimmed to maintain higher grade or to reduce the grade of lumber.
• Apply grade rules to maximize lumber profitability.
• Ensure lumber produced is within grade parameters to maintain grade reliability.
• Determines cuts to be made to obtain products needed per instructions from supervisor.
• Ensure lumber produced is within expected grade yields and take appropriate action or trouble shooting to correct.
• Mark lumber to indicate grade and processing instruction.
• Tally pieces of lumber according to grade and board footage.
• Remove unsatisfactory pieces from conveyor or table and place pieces on stacks, in bins, or on carts.
• Qualifications:
• WWPA, TPI, or similar grader certifications preferred, but not required
• Understanding of American Lumber Standard grading rules preferred
• Requires the ability to maintain 95% on grade average and grade sort by weight or moisture content
• Employee must be able to read and interpret documents such as instructions, memos, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Ability to add, and subtract, two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals and compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Ability to work independently, or as part of a small team to accomplish tasks required
• Ability and willingness to work safely, and adhere to all safety rules and regulations, including wearing and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to employees of the organization.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• The employee is frequently exposed to vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and risk of electrical shock.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• This position requires wearing eye protection, hearing protection, safety shoes, hard hat, leather or rubber gloves, sleeve protection, leather aprons and face shields.

Competencies

Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Contributes to building a positive team spirit.

Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity.

Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

Competencies

1. Customer/Client Focus
2. Continuous Improvement Mindset
3. Results Driven / Commitment to Succeed
4. Stress Management/Composure
5. Teamwork Orientation
6. Safety Mindset

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions between mills. The noise level in the work environment can be loud. The position regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity, and exposure to dust and wood and paint debris.

Physical Demands

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.

The position lifts heavy objects, walks and stands for long periods of time and performs strenuous physical labor under adverse field conditions. The employee lifts, pushes, pulls or carries objects up to 50 pounds; uses abdominal and lower back muscles to provide support over time without fatigue; and effectively jumps, sprints or throws objects. The position requires good manual dexterity (hand, hand with arm, two hands) and multi-limb coordination. The position requires the ability to quickly move arms and legs. The employee must have excellent stamina.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Thursday, 4:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., four-days a week (4/10), 40 hours per week. This position requires long hours and occasional overtime on Fridays to meet business requirements.

Travel

This position has no travel responsibilities.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED preferred
• Basic understanding of manufacturing environment preferred
• Basic understanding of millwork and woodworking preferred
• Ability to work independently, or as part of a small team to accomplish tasks required
• Ability to stand for duration of shift required
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds required

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Type: Full-time

Vivian Johnson

Belco HR and Administration

Posted: July 9, 2020