Woodyard Operator I

About the role

The Woodyard Operator I will work at Drax’s wood‑pellet manufacturing plant in Urania, LA, operating and maintaining the equipment that moves, processes and stores wood material for biomass production.

Key responsibilities

• Operate and maintain a log crane, wheel loaders, knuckleboom, skid steer and man lift.
• Cross‑train on all applicable heavy equipment as needed.
• Anticipate, diagnose and perform routine or preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Complete administrative tasks, use checklists, and generate inventory and production reports.
• Perform housekeeping duties to keep the work area clean and free of safety hazards.

Required profile

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years experience operating industrial equipment.
• Experience in wood/fiber procurement or the forest industry is preferred.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision.
• Basic computer literacy for email and document review.

Required skills

• Log crane operation
• Wheel loader operation
• Knuckleboom operation
• Skid steer operation
• Man lift operation
• Routine and preventive equipment maintenance
• Use of checklists and production reporting tools
• Basic computer tasks (email, documentation)

What we offer

• Competitive hourly wage with opportunities for advancement.
• Comprehensive benefits starting day one, including health coverage and 401(k) matching.
• Company bonus plan tied to overall performance, safety and scorecard achievement.
• Supportive team environment with continuous learning and cross‑training.