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Forklift Operator

Aurora, OR

The Aurora site opened in 1997, and is located just 30 minutes south of Portland, Oregon in the beautiful Willamette Valley. The site has 37 acres of greenhouse and 3 acres of field space. In 2013, we added a 3-acre State-of-the-art glass greenhouse which has allowed the facility to repurpose 40,000 gallons of water every day helping to reduce our carbon footprint.

JOB SUMMARY


The Forklift Operator in Transplanting department is responsible for safety transporting trays, pots, and hanging baskets of newly transplanted plants. This role ensures plants are moved from transplanting lines to the greenhouses or fields areas effectively, while protecting plant quality and supporting overall production flow.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS


  • Operate forklifts with pot-moving attachments to transport multiple pots, trays, and hanging baskets at once.
  • Move transplanted plants from transplanting lines to designated greenhouse or outdoor growing area.
  • Assist the transplanting team by staging empty pots, and trays before transplanting begins.
  • Carefully handle plants to minimize damage when laying down.
  • Follow transplanting schedules and placement locations to ensure proper laydown.
  • Perform basic forklift inspections and report mechanical issues to supervisor.
  • Assist with spacing parameters are correct for crop type, and tray size.
  • Collaborate with production teams to meet daily and weekly laydown targets.
  • Follow all company safety and operational protocols.
  • Support with non-driving transplanting tasks when needed, including line work.

COMPETENCIES


  • Excellent hand- eye coordination and spatial awareness.
  • Operating forklift safety and efficiently in confined spaces.
  • Effective communication skills.
  • Strong teamwork skills to collaborate with colleagues.
  • Ensures accuracy and consistency in plant handling.
  • Able to work in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE


  • A valid Forklift operator certificate or equivalent experience.
  • Knowledge of safe forklift operation in various weather and greenhouse conditions.
  • Ability to read laydown maps and follow transplanting schedules.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS


  • Work long hours as needed during busy season, including weekends and night shifts.
  • Work indoors and outdoors, in varying temperatures and humidity levels.
  • Must be able to stand, walk, bend and lift to 50 pounds in a warm greenhouse environment.

PAY RANGE


$20 - $23 per hour

  • $17.00 to $18.50
  • $24.50 - $26.50
MORE THAN A JOB

Smith Gardens is in the Top 10 Privately Owned Companies in Whatcom County. Our business is growing, so you can find career opportunities that match your goals and fuel your passion. Plus, we promote from within every chance we get!

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Smith Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion,transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process. To make this request please email humanresources@smithgardens.com

We are an E-verify employer.