Forklift Operator Job Description Template

Worker sitting on forklift and smiling at camera

Forklift operators, sometimes referred to as forklift drivers, are logistical workers who operate industrial vehicles in warehouses and factories, at railroad freight centers and ports, and on construction sites. They need to have valid driver’s licenses, and in many states, forklift or heavy machinery certification.

In order to recruit these crucial supply chain workers, you need to start with a detailed forklift operator’s job description that includes unique capabilities, such as an excellent sense of spatial relations and the ability to perform routine maintenance. For more ideas on what to include in your job description, browse Monster’s forklift operator’s job listings.

Worker sitting on forklift and smiling at camera

Forklift Operator

[Intro Paragraph] Begin your forklift operator job description with a paragraph, or even a concise bullet list of short descriptive sentences, aimed at selling your company and workplace to perspective job applicants. Explain your company’s values and the scope of your business. Here is where you might assert that your firm believes in promoting from within and providing opportunities for advancement, or that employee safety is a focus, as is providing the latest safety equipment to employees and implementing top-rated safety procedures in the workplace.

Forklift Operator Requirements and Responsibilities:

  • Drives sit-down and stand-up forklifts, and other industrial vehicles such as cherry-pickers and automated pallet jacks as needed.
  • Moves hazardous materials.
  • Maintains clean work area.
  • Pallet building and pallet picks.
  • Loads goods onto conveyer belts.
  • Stacks crates, pallets, lumber, or other material.
  • Ensures the safe and efficient movement of goods.
  • Follows safety regulations and company guidelines.
  • Checks that loads are centered and properly stacked.
  • Determines when repairs need to be made on equipment.
  • Rotates stock so that oldest items are shipped or sold first.
  • Loads and unloads product from and onto tractor trailers, rail cars, and cargo ships.
  • Quality assurance (QA) duties, including reporting product damage and shortages.
  • Utilizes radio frequency (RF) scanning equipment to track inventory.
  • Shrink wraps goods or otherwise secures them and prepares them for transport.
  • Weighs and records weights of products.
  • Analyzes productions schedules to determine timely transportation of materials and products.
  • Documents arrival, departure, and movement and storage of goods, checks trucking manifests and bills of lading, maintains inventory, and tracks fulfillment of customer and vendor orders.

[Work Hours & Benefits] In this section of your forklift operator job description you’ll do your best to sell the position to potential applicants just as you sold your workplace in the introductory paragraph (before you provide a forklift operator skills list). Specify whether the position is temporary or permanent, full time or part time. Are you offering a Monday-Friday daytime work schedule, or evening and weekend hours with a shift differential?

List benefits, such as paid time off (PTO), medical, technical and management training opportunities, tuition assistance, disability and life insurance. List a forklift operator salary range or hourly rate. You can use an online salary tool that allows you to input job title and location to determine the going rate for forklift operators in your market.

Forklift Operator Qualifications/Skills:

  • Ability to read and understand packaging, shipping documents, and safety guidelines.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Ability to perform basic math.
  • Excellent hand-eye coordination, peripheral vision, and ability with spatial relationships.
  • Efficient individual with excellent time management skills.
  • Ability to lift 50 pounds.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Working knowledge of basic tools and vehicle maintenance a plus.

Education, Experience & Licensing Requirements:

  • Previous warehouse experience.
  • Prior experience as a forklift operator.
  • Forklift or heavy machinery certification.
  • Completion of forklift driving course, a plus.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • High school diploma or GED, preferred.
  • Previous OSHA training a plus.
  • Hazardous materials training, as needed.

[Call to Action] End your forklift operator job description with a call to action, urging applicants to send in a resume, fill out an online application or set up a time to fill out a paper application.

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