Zip O Log Mills

General Summary:

The General Laborer supports mill operations by performing a wide range of manual tasks related to lumber handling, cleanup, and safety compliance. This position plays a vital role in ensuring operational efficiency, product quality, and workplace safety across the facility.

General Responsibilities:

• Perform all duties in a safe, responsible, and efficient manner.
• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and lockout/tagout protocols.
• Maintain compliance with all work rules and standard operating procedures.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, along with basic math proficiency.
• Support teamwork, cooperation, and a goal-oriented work ethic.
• Work overtime and weekends as required by production demands.

Essential Duties & Functions:

• Remove bands, tags, staples, and stickers from lumber units.
• Operate equipment to break down lumber packages into single layers.
• Help tie down railcars
• Paper wrap finished lumber packages.
• Lay kiln stickers between layers of lumber to prep packages for dry kilns.
• Keep up with stickers and debris at the sticker dropout.
• Participate in satellite production operations at Zip-O-Custom and the Resaw.
• Clear plug ups from the chipper.

Lumber Handling & Inspection:

• Monitor for incorrect pulls (e.g., grade, width, dimensions) and report issues.
• Identify lumber defects to avoid planer jams
• Assist graders and check bottom layers for foreign objects like rocks or metal.

Planer Operations:

• Feed lumber using proper techniques to maximize grade recovery and cut quality.
• Safely and effectively clear planer jams as needed.
• Regularly check lumber for sizing accuracy.

Facility Maintenance & Cleanliness:

• Maintain a clean and organized workstation throughout the shift.
• Clean accessible areas during production and perform deeper cleaning during downtime or shift changes.
• Remove debris from infeed, trimmer, and under-planer areas at end-of-shift.
• Use downtime effectively for cleanup.
• Report machinery issues or safety hazards promptly.

Team Support & Communication:

• Check in with supervisors for daily assignments and special tasks.
• Assist millwrights and other departments as requested.
• Monitor sticker rack conditions.

Why Join Our Team?
Our family-owned sawmill has been a proud part of the local community for more than eight decades. We believe in building more than just great products—we build strong teams, lasting careers, and meaningful relationships. If you’re seeking a team that feels like family and a place where you can take pride in what you do, we’d love to have you with us.

BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Company Provided Benefits 
• Medical Coverage, including Major Medical and Hospitalization
• Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Matching
• Competitive salary

Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of sawmilling or willingness to learn.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Effective communication and problem-solving skills.
• Physical ability to lift, bend, and work in a physically demanding environment.
• Commitment to safety and a clean working environment.
• Willingness to work varying shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed.