Cleaning Rack Operator

About VLS!

VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC
, is a recognized leader in providing sustainability solutions, with three divisions providing industry‑leading services. With a mission to innovate solutions to meet clients' sustainability goals, VLS has over 1,200 employees in 40+ locations across North America.

VLS Waste Services provides customized waste processing solutions for hazardous and non‑hazardous industrial and commercial waste, including landfill diversion and sustainability programs, solidification of liquid waste, recycling, wastewater treatment, and waste sequestration.

VLS Railcar Cleaning and Repair Services division provides specialty cleaning services for difficult‑to‑clean products, including chemicals, hardened materials, and pressurized gases, and comprehensive repair services for certified full‑service repairs, tank car qualifications, and maintenance.

VLS Marine Services division offers state‑of‑the‑art barge cleaning, repair, and gas‑free facilities for various chemical solvents and downstream petroleum products.

Under the direction of the Cleaning Rack Manager, the Cleaning Rack Operator is responsible for all aspects of car cleaning including inspection, care, and maintenance of equipment used in the cleaning process.

• Clean hazardous and non‑hazardous interior of tank and hopper cars while wearing multiple components of PPE including full‑face respirators in compliance with company cleaning policies and procedures
• Check calibration equipment to ensure accurate readings of LEL oxygen content meters, pH meters, and Draeger meters
• Connect high‑pressure air, steam, and water hoses and operate cleaning rack equipment—manually remove product by digging, shoveling, and pulling buckets from tank interior as required
• Operate testing equipment to monitor the cleaning operations before confined space entry
• Inspect clean railcar interiors for compliance with customer and company requirements
• Maintain work area in a neat and orderly manner and report potential hazards
• Communicate issues or problems with lead when they arise
• Adhere to confined space entry procedures, which entails hole watch, entry, and all other safety regulations
• Move and/or spot railcars
• Use a forklift as needed
• Assist other departments when needed

• Basic math, reading comprehension, and writing skills
• Previous experience in hydro blasting, or tank cleaning in a manufacturing, industrial, environmental, waste or railroad industry
• Ability to work M‑F 6:30am‑3:00pm with mandatory overtime (OT after normal shift and weekends)
• Work weekends as needed
• Dependable
• Manages time effectively
• Must be willing to help out in other departments as needed
• Ability to work independently or as a team member
• Must be authorized to work in the US

• High School Graduate or equivalent
• Previous experience in manufacturing, industrial, environmental, or railroad industry
• Railcar cleaning experience (hopper and tank car)

• Must pass a pre‑employment background check, physical and respirator fit test, and drug screening
• Able to stand for long periods of time with limited breaks
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to work in extreme temperatures and elements for an extended period of time
• Must be able to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and smell
• Must be able to work in confined spaces
• Must be able to work at elevated heights
• May encounter fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; risk of radiation and vibration
• Must be able to work near moving mechanical parts and in a loud environment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus

VLS is committed to supporting our employees' physical and mental health by providing a variety of high‑quality, low‑premium medical, dental and vision plans, including concierge service (available…