Industrial Forklift Operator

Evans, GA | Labor Finders - Martinez Branch | Temp-to-Hire

Pay: $18-$20/hour
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM typical
Hours: 45–50+ per week, including overtime
Anticipated Start: October 19, 2026

Labor Finders is seeking an experienced Industrial Forklift Operator for an established client in Evans, GA. This position combines large-capacity forklift operation, industrial material handling, and customer service in an active warehouse and metal-yard environment.

This is not a typical small-warehouse forklift job. You will operate a large-capacity, sit-down diesel counterbalance forklift to move heavy building materials, including long, wide, and elevated loads, around trucks, equipment, coworkers, and customers.

Customer service is an important part of this position. Approximately 10% of the job involves assisting the public and customers with material pickups, orders, loading, unloading, and questions. The client values respectful, helpful, service-oriented employees who can represent the business professionally while maintaining safe operations.

Typical Breakdown of Responsibilities

• 80% - Forklift Operations: Load and unload trucks; move, stage, and retrieve building materials; handle drywall packets and other heavy, long, wide, or elevated loads.

• 10% - Cleanup and Material Handling: Maintain organized work areas, clean the warehouse and yard, and assist with general material-handling duties.

• 10% - Customer Service: Assist customer pickups and public orders, load vehicles, answer basic questions, and interact professionally with customers.

Equipment and loads: Operate a large-capacity, sit-down diesel counterbalance forklift designed for industrial material handling. Loads may weigh up to approximately 10,000 lbs., extend 30-40 feet in length collectively, or be stored at heights up to 20 feet. Safe positioning, awareness, and control are essential.

At least 2 years of relevant industrial forklift experience is strongly preferred. The client is looking for experience that translates to operating large-capacity equipment and handling substantial materials, not simply familiarity with any forklift.

• Experience operating large-capacity, sit-down counterbalance forklifts.

• Experience in building-material facilities, metal yards, lumber yards, industrial distribution, or comparable operations.

• Ability to discuss previous equipment, capacities, load sizes, and material-handling responsibilities.

• Comfort working around long, wide, heavy, and elevated loads.

• Dependable attendance, punctuality, good judgment, and willingness to learn.

• Customer-focused attitude, respectful communication, and professional conduct.

• Ability to perform physical duties, including frequent handling of materials around 65 lbs. and occasional lifting up to 90 lbs.

• Availability for 45–50+ hours per week, overtime is a required part of the job.

Experience that may not be a fit: Candidates whose experience is primarily limited to small warehouse forklifts, stand-up forklifts, propane-powered warehouse equipment, or pallet jacks generally will not have the specific background this assignment requires. Experience in small-equipment environments, including certain golf-cart manufacturing or retail warehouse operations, should not be treated as equivalent without verifying actual large-capacity counterbalance experience.

Forklift certification is preferred, but the client's own qualification process is required. Candidates must be prepared to demonstrate their skills and learn the client's equipment and procedures.

Work environment: A combination of warehouse and outdoor metal-yard operations, with different material…