General Labor Helper Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Job Description

This role supports multiple positions within a rebar fabrication shop, including rebar bending, shear operation, crane operation, and rebar shaking. You will start by supporting rebar operations and the shear operator, moving large bundles of rebar to cutting and processing tables, and may assist with cutting wire. Over time, you will train across all four areas, with the potential to progress into a working shift supervisor role as you gain experience and demonstrate strong performance.

Responsibilities

• Move large bundles of rebar onto cutting and processing tables according to customer specifications.
• Support the shear operator by staging material, assisting with cutting operations, and handling rebar bundles safely and efficiently.
• Bend steel to specification using a mechanical bending machine, following bar lists and job orders with precision.
• Perform repetitive lifting and bending tasks while stacking bars and maintaining an organized bend area.
• Keep the bend area clean and orderly, including sweeping, organizing tables, and assisting with tying rebar bundles.
• Measure steel accurately using a tape measure and apply basic math to ensure correct bends and cuts per job requirements.
• Operate the rebar shear console to cut rebar to the correct lengths, keeping straight bars separate from bars that need bending.
• Coordinate with the rebar shaker to ensure the correct quantities and sizes of bars are available for shearing.
• Track and record mill heat numbers on bundles to maintain accurate material identification and traceability.
• Use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to verify measurements, quantities, and job specifications.
• Operate an overhead crane using a handheld remote control to move rebar safely around the shop.
• Shake out the correct size and number of bars as requested by the shear operator, and assist in tying bundles of bar on the shear table and in bins.
• Help pull bars down the shear line as needed and support material flow through the production process.
• Load and unload trucks with rebar and related materials as part of daily operations.
• Clean and maintain the shake-out and shear areas to support a safe and efficient work environment.
• Follow all safety procedures, including use of required personal protective equipment, and contribute to a safe, team-oriented workplace.
• Demonstrate reliability, strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn in order to progress into more advanced roles, including potential shift supervisor responsibilities.

Essential Skills

• Ability to perform physical labor throughout the day, including lifting up to 75 lbs almost continuously.
• Experience in general labor, construction, production, manufacturing, or similar physically demanding environments.
• Ability to read a tape measure accurately and apply measurements in feet and inches.
• Basic math skills, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Comfort performing repetitive tasks such as lifting, bending, stacking, and tying rebar bundles.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, including bar lists and job orders.
• Willingness to work in a shop environment that involves steel fabrication and handling heavy materials.
• Reliability and consistency in attendance and performance to support a high-volume production environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience in construction, carpentry, or related trades where tape measure use and basic math are essential.
• Experience in production or manufacturing environments involving power tools or material handling equipment.
• Familiarity with operating overhead cranes or remote-controlled lifting devices.
• Experience with rebar, metal fabrication, or concrete-related products.
• Interest in developing into roles such as shear operator, shift supervisor, or fabrication shop leadership over time.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and communicate clearly with coworkers and supervisors.
• Willingness to learn multiple positions within the shop and cross-train across different tasks.

Why Work Here?

You will join a locally owned and operated company that values a strong family-oriented culture and encourages employees to enjoy their workday. The team builds genuine relationships, and leadership stays approachable and engaged with employees on the floor. The company regularly shows appreciation through gestures such as providing food and drinks, celebrating birthdays, and recognizing team contributions. As you continue to excel and prove yourself, you can earn raises and, when hired directly, may receive a pay increase. There is clear opportunity for long-term growth, with many current leads, supervisors, and coordinators having started on the shop floor and progressed into leadership roles over time. This environment rewards patience, dedication, and a strong work ethic.

Work Environment

The work takes place in a rebar fabrication shop that produces fabricated reinforcing steel, concrete-related products, geotextiles, and erosion control products. The environment is industrial and can be dirty, consistent with bending and processing steel materials. The facility can be very cold in the winter due to lack of heat and hot in the summer, so dressing appropriately for the weather is important. The standard schedule is a first shift from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with current expectations of working until 4:30 p.m. and averaging around 50-hour workweeks through the fall. You will work around heavy materials, overhead cranes, mechanical bending machines, and shear equipment, following safety procedures at all times. The dress code includes steel-toed boots, jeans, and a T-shirt, with additional layers recommended on cold days. Required personal protective equipment such as hard hat, hearing protection, and eye protection is provided.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA.

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $20.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Cedar Rapids,IA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.