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Assistant Operator Jobs in Palo, IA (NOW HIRING)

Aerotek

Operator

Cedar Rapids, IA

$24.50/hr

Production Operator - 3rd Shift $24.50/Hr Upon Hire | Rotating Schedule | Every Other Weekend Off ... Follow GMP, food safety, and workplace safety standards * Assist with material movement and ...

Enterprise Electrical

Equipment Operator

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Perform daily inspections of equipment and report any malfunctions or maintenance needs. * Assist ... Heavy Equipment Operator certification preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities * Proven experience ...

Enterprise Electrical

Equipment Operator

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Perform daily inspections of equipment and report any malfunctions or maintenance needs. * Assist ... Heavy Equipment Operator certification preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities * Proven experience ...

Enterprise Electrical

Equipment Operator

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Perform daily inspections of equipment and report any malfunctions or maintenance needs. * Assist ... Heavy Equipment Operator certification preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities * Proven experience ...

DES Employment Group

Forklift Operator

Walford, IA · On-site

$19/hr

Seeking Forklift Operator in Walford, IA. Monday - Friday 7am-3:30pm Pay rate $19.00 / per hour ... * Assist in warehouse cleanliness, sanitation, pest control, and food safety practices.

Signal Energy

Light Equipment Operator

Coggon, IA

In this role, you will be responsible for operating a variety of light construction equipment to assist in the completion of projects. Your expertise in safely and efficiently operating machinery ...

Signal Energy

Light Equipment Operator

Coggon, IA · On-site

In this role, you will be responsible for operating a variety of light construction equipment to assist in the completion of projects. Your expertise in safely and efficiently operating machinery ...

Aerotek

Forklift Operator

Cedar Rapids, IA

$16.75 - $19.75/hr

Move raw materials, work-in-process items, and finished goods throughout the facility and outdoor storage yard. * Assist machine operators, welders, fitters, and fabrication teams with material ...

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Assistant Operator information

See Palo, IA salary details

$10

$19

$30

How much do assistant operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant operator in Palo, IA is $19.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.05 and $21.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an assistant operator?

Assistant Operators are entry-level professionals who support the operation of machinery or equipment in industries such as manufacturing, energy, or logistics. They work under the supervision of senior operators to help monitor processes, perform basic maintenance, and ensure safety protocols are followed. Their responsibilities may include setting up machines, loading materials, inspecting products, and reporting any issues to supervisors. Assistant Operators play a key role in maintaining efficient production and minimizing downtime. This position is often a stepping stone to more advanced operator roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Operator, you need a basic understanding of machinery operation, safety protocols, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with industrial equipment, control panels, and sometimes certifications like OSHA safety training are typically required. Attention to detail, reliability, and good teamwork skills help you excel in supporting smooth operations. These skills ensure safe, efficient production processes and help maintain workplace safety and productivity.

What are some common challenges assistant operators face during shift changes, and how can they be managed effectively?

Assistant Operators often encounter challenges during shift changes, such as incomplete handovers or miscommunication about ongoing tasks. To manage these effectively, it’s important to follow standardized handover procedures, maintain accurate and up-to-date logs, and communicate proactively with both outgoing and incoming team members. Building strong teamwork and attention to detail helps ensure a smooth transition and minimizes operational disruptions.

What is the difference between Assistant Operator vs Machine Operator?

AspectAssistant OperatorMachine Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma, on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma, technical certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentAssists in setup, monitoring, and maintenance of machineryOperates machinery directly, responsible for production output
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, construction, and industrial plantsPrimarily in manufacturing, processing, and production facilities

Assistant Operators support Machine Operators by preparing equipment and monitoring processes, while Machine Operators handle the direct operation of machinery. Both roles require similar credentials and are vital in industrial settings, but Machine Operators have more responsibility for operating equipment independently.

Which assistant operator job pays the most?

The highest-paying assistant operator roles are often found in industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, or power generation, where specialized skills and certifications like OSHA training or technical licenses are required. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and industry, with some positions offering significantly higher compensation due to the complexity and risk involved.

What cities near Palo, IA are hiring for Assistant Operator jobs?

Cities near Palo, IA with the most Assistant Operator job openings:

Assistant Operator jobs near you

Machine Operator/Assistant

International Paper Company

Cedar Rapids, IA • On-site

$25.60/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago

International Paper rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 296 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

326th of 545 rated manufacturers

Job description


Position Title:
Machine Operator/Assistant
Starting Pay Rate:
$25.60
Category/Shift:
Hourly Full-Time (6pm-6am)
This is a 2-2-3 schedule
Week 1 = M/T/F/S
Week 2 = Su/W/Th
Physical Location:
Cedar Rapids Container
920 Shaver Rd NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
The Job You Will Perform:
  • Counting and stacking finished product
  • Reading factory orders
  • Accurately reading gauges and other test equipment
  • Utilizing basic shop math, inspecting
  • Accurately completing quality and administrative documents and following directions
  • This person will also be assigned to clean-up functions such as blowing down the machine, wiping off shafts, cleaning ink systems, vacuuming and sweeping the machine area, as well as picking up and shredding scrap.

The Skills You Will Bring:
  • Counting and stacking finished product
  • Reading factory orders

About Us
The Benefits You Will Enjoy:
International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets
The Career You Will Build:
Leadership training, promotional opportunities
The Impact You Will Make:
We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you'll see why our team members say they're Proud to be IP.
The Culture You Will Experience:
International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.
The Company You Will Join:
International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) creates sustainable packaging solutions that enable our customers, teammates and shareowners to thrive in an ever-changing world. We are a leader in corrugated packaging, partnering with customers across industries to protect what matters most, strengthen supply chains and create lasting value. Learn more at internationalpaper.com.
International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.

What International Paper employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

International Paper logo

About International Paper

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

International Paper is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion.

Industry

Paper manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Memphis, TN, US

Year founded

1898

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