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Rust Belt Jobs in Oklahoma (NOW HIRING)

Production Team Member

Blackwell, OK · On-site

$12 - $14.75/hr

Grinds and/or buffs parts on pedestal grinder or belt grinder or angle grinder. * Removes sharp edges or burrs. * Grinds out casting defects. * Grinds, off excess weld, splatter, and rust to improve ...

Production Team Member

Blackwell, OK · On-site

$12 - $14.75/hr

Grinds and/or buffs parts on pedestal grinder or belt grinder or angle grinder. * Removes sharp edges or burrs. * Grinds out casting defects. * Grinds, off excess weld, splatter, and rust to improve ...

Rust Belt information

What are some typical challenges someone might face when working in the Rust Belt manufacturing sector?

Professionals in the Rust Belt manufacturing sector often encounter challenges such as adapting to new technologies, managing changes in production processes, and addressing workforce skill gaps. The region is known for its history of heavy industry, so workers may also face aging infrastructure and the need to implement modern safety standards. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive efficiency and support continuous improvement initiatives is common, and being adaptable to change is crucial for success.

What is the Rust Belt?

The Rust Belt refers to a region in the United States, primarily in the Northeast and Midwest, that was once known for its booming manufacturing industry. Over the past several decades, this area has experienced economic decline, population loss, and urban decay due to the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs and the decline of industries such as steel and automobile production. Cities like Detroit, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh are often considered part of the Rust Belt. The term 'rust' symbolizes the decay of the once-thriving factories. Today, there are efforts to revitalize these regions through technology, education, and new industries.

What is the difference between Rust Belt vs Steel Worker?

AspectRust BeltSteel Worker
Primary IndustryManufacturing and industrial regionsSteel production and fabrication
Work EnvironmentFactories, industrial sites, urban areasSteel mills, factories, heavy industrial settings
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety training, sometimes technical certificationsHigh school diploma, safety certifications, apprenticeship programs
Employer UsageManufacturing companies, industrial plantsSteel mills, metal fabrication plants

Rust Belt refers to the industrial regions in the U.S. known for manufacturing, while Steel Worker specifically describes workers involved in steel production. Although both are linked to manufacturing, Rust Belt is a geographic and industry term, whereas Steel Worker is a job role within that industry. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify employment opportunities and industry focus in these areas.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Rust Belt worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a manufacturing or industrial worker in the Rust Belt, you need a solid understanding of mechanical processes, trade skills, and often a high school diploma or technical certification. Familiarity with machinery, safety protocols, and industrial systems such as CNC machines or assembly lines is typically required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help workers excel in fast-paced and evolving environments. These skills and qualities are critical for maintaining productivity, safety, and adaptability in the region’s industrial sectors.
What are popular job titles related to Rust Belt jobs in Oklahoma? For Rust Belt jobs in Oklahoma, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Rust Belt jobs in Oklahoma look for? The top searched job categories for Rust Belt jobs in Oklahoma are:
Infographic showing various Rust Belt job openings in Oklahoma as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Production Team Member

PARRISH ENTERPRISES LTD

Blackwell, OK • On-site

$12 - $14.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Production team members may fill one of several positions in a lost wax manufacturing facility, including but not limited to, Wax Pattern Treer, Wax Press Operator, Melter, Ladle Helper or Grinder.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

WAX PATTERN TREER:

  • Perform all steps required to build tree structures.  Such as repair wax patterns and assembles them following written instructions, keeping count of parts, and filling out reports.

  • Inspects and trims wax patterns to insure quality parts and handling parts and trees in a careful and controlled manner to prevent flaws or changes in the pattern dimensions.

  • Handles daily routine maintenance

WAX PRESS OPERATOR:

  • Performs all steps required to inject wax patterns.  Such as operating one or more presses simultaneously, following written instructions, keeping count of parts , and filling out reports.

  • The wax press operator selects the correct die from storage and sets up the wax press for the die.

  • Places die in proper position, starts the press, disassembles the die (often with tools), loosens pattern from die and inspects it for defects.

  • Handles parts in a careful and controlled manner to prevent flaws or changes in the pattern dimensions.

  • Handle daily routine maintenance on presses.

  • Maintain good housekeeping procedures in work area.

MELTER:

  • Weighting specified amounts of metal and charging metal into furnace by hand.

  • Regulate flow of water and electricity to control furnace temperature.

  • Slagging molten metal and reading metal temperatures.

  • Pouring metal into ladle sometimes using a hoist.

  • Reading and recording melt operations.

  • Be able to identify casting flaws such as miss-run, hot tears, scaling, etc. and determine procedures required to correct the defect.

  • Keeping metals separated into various categories and determine correctness of alloys.

  • Directs melt crew during pouring.

  • Responsible for the melt crew safety.

  • Handles daily routine maintenance on equipment.

  • Maintains high standards in housekeeping and safety.

LADLE HELPER

  • Helps with rebuilding of the ladles which may include the following:
  • Chips slag from interior lining of ladle using hand held pneumatic air chisel.
  • Mixes sand, clay, and water to form refractory clay mud.
  • Patches lining where cracked or worn by covering lining with refractory clay and tamping it in place.
  • Chips out entire lining when beyond repair.
  • Relines ladle with refractory clay.
  • Dries and bakes new lining by using a blowtorch.
  • Relines and shapes pouring spouts of ladles with fire clay.
  • Relines ladles with refractory brick.
  • Makes stoppers for stopper type ladle.
  • Brushes graphite facing in lining.
  • Assist the ladle personnel in making sure that all adds put into the ladle are weighted and available for use.
  • Assist the ladle personnel in moving the ladle to the melt deck.
  • Assist to transfer poured molds to cooling area.
  • Follows the direction of the melter during a pour.
  • Maintains high standards in housekeeping and safety.

​​​​​​​GRINDER:

  • Positions workpiece manually.
  • Inspects work.
  • Grinds and/or buffs parts on pedestal grinder or belt grinder or angle grinder.
  • Removes sharp edges or burrs.
  • Grinds out casting defects.
  • Grinds, off excess weld, splatter, and rust to improve appearance of workpiece.
  • Keeps parts separated and segregated from other orders.
  • Handles casting in a careful manner to prevent nicks and surface flaws.
  • Handles daily routine maintenance on machines.
  • Maintains good housekeeping procedures in work area.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

There are no certificates, licenses, or registrations required.

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. 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 stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision to read measuring instruments and depth perception to judge distances.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme heat, vibration, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud from machinery.

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

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

No prior experience or training necessary.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.