Woodgrain is looking for an experienced Hardwood Lumber Grader for our Independence, VA sawmill to join our team!
About Woodgrain:
Woodgrain is one of the top millwork operations in the world with locations throughout the United States and Chile. With 70 years of quality craftsmanship and service, Woodgrain is a top producer of mouldings, doors, and windows, as well as a premier distributor of specialty building products. Our Woodgrain facility in Independence, VA is a sawmill operation providing materials to our manufacturing facilities as well as to various external customers. Woodgrain Inc. is headquartered in Fruitland, Idaho with six divisions and over 45 manufacturing and warehouse facilities in the United States and South America. Since 1954, Woodgrain is proud to be family owned and operated.
Job Summary:
The Hardwood Lumber Grader is a vital position in the lumber production process. They accurately inspect and properly grade hardwood boards to the standards set by the NHLA and in- house standards.
The Grader is responsible for sorting through the lumber on the grader chains and marks out the common boards, oversize, and any special trimming that is needed. Grader examines both faces of a board then assigns and marks a grade on the board so that correct trimming decisions are made to increase the value of each board.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Visual inspection of grading area for orderliness and cleanliness (i.e. Keep area swept clean of wood debris).
- Visual inspection of lumber on the chain conveyor for defects such as knots, stains, decay, splits, faulty edges, pitch pockets, wormholes, and defective milling.
- Marks out all of the common, oversize, and boards that need any special trim.
- Check widths and thickness to ensure proper size uniformity at various times throughout the shift.
- Assess lumber surfacing quality.
- Responsible to note the quality of surfacing and take action over any concerns of surfacing defects such as wavy dressing or nicks in knives.
- Communicate concerns with sawmill Production Manager.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Lock out/Tag out trained.
- Must be SAFETY minded while working in a production environment.
- Lifting and physical activity is required for this position, must be able to move and flip boards and wood pieces.
- At least 2 years lumber grading experience using NHLA grade rules.
- NHLA certification preferred.
Summary of Company Benefits:
- Compensation is commensurate with experience ($18 to $27 per hour)
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- 401(k) with 3% Employer Match
- Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D
- Employer Paid Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
- Voluntary Supplemental Hospital and Accident Plans
- Employee Assistance Program
- 8 Company Paid Holidays & 1 Floating Holiday
- Progressive Paid Time Off (PTO) Accruals
The physical demands and work environment are representative of a typical sawmill environment. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. Noise level is moderate to high depending on the area of the mill. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear. Requires close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds and is regularly exposed to fumes, airborne particles, and extreme hot and cold temperatures.