Log Scaler

 Company Background:

Alta Forest Products, in partnership with Itochu Building Products, is the world's largest producer of wood fence boards, specializing in Western Red Cedar and other premium species found in the Pacific and Inland Northwest forests. In addition to producing fence boards and pallet stock lumber, Alta's zero-wood-waste sawmills produce by-products such as wood chips, sawdust, mulch, and biofuel.

Headquartered in centrally located Chehalis, Washington, Alta operates in multiple Northwest rural communities, including Morton, WA; Winlock, WA; Shelton, WA; Amanda Park, WA; Lewiston, ID; Bonners Ferry, ID; and Naples, ID.  

Job Summary 

The Log Scaler is responsible for assessing and estimating the volume, quality, and marketable content of logs. This involves inspecting logs for defects, measuring them, and determining their grade and species at a designated log roll-out scaling site. 

Starting pay: $30.77 per hour.  

Shift: Monday-Friday, 8-hour shifts. With occasional overtime required

Licenses and Certifications

Must currently hold and be able to maintain a valid state log scaler license by completing the state-required annual certification. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Measures dimensions of each log using a tape measure, scaling stick, or other measuring device.
• Determines total board feet, cordage, or other wood units, using a conversion table.
• Inputs information onto a handheld computer or writes information on designated tickets to be transmitted to the main office.
• Inspects logs for rot, knots, and other defects, deducts estimated waste from total volume, and records results. 
• Spud logs (i.e., taking wood samples) to ascertain conditions or defects, such as unsound or stained wood, splits, broken ends, rotten areas, twists, and curves. 
• Walks between logs, stands on top of logs, and bends over to assess the quality of logs. 
• Uses downtime to clean up scale shack, organize yard, break down log decks, complete paperwork, check scale with Alta Forest Product personnel, etc.
• Performs good housekeeping to maintain a safe and efficient work area.
• Practice safe behavior at all times.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Benefits

• *$2,000 SIGNING BONUS, after 90 days of employment 
• Generous Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance Plans
• Employer-paid Employee and Family Life Insurance
• Paid time off, Vacation, Holiday, Sick Leave
• Employee Referral Program
• 401 (k) Retirement with up to 4.5% company match
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance Options, Additional Life, Pet, Illness, and Accident Insurance 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Candidates must be 18 years of age or older and willing to complete a pre-employment drug screen and background check. 

Physical Ability:

Ability to inspect logs, including walking between and climbing on logs, bending over to assess the quality of logs, and scale a minimum of 3-4 loads per hour (i.e., 25 loads in an 8-hour shift)

Interpersonal Ability: 

Ability to maintain a positive working relationship with coworkers and supervisor, and accept assignments from the work group and support group goals.

Language Ability:

Ability to accurately record information and maintain records in English in both written and verbal form. 

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to accurately take measurements, understand and apply production standards, and meet the technical requirements of the position.

Freedom to Act:

Ability to work without close supervision and complete jobs without constant assignments of tasks; plan and organize work activities, as well as utilize time effectively; work safely and productively under somewhat stressful conditions; and handle multiple tasks at the same time.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, outdoor weather conditions, atmospheric conditions, temperature changes, extreme cold, extreme heat, wet or humid conditions, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, climb, or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit.

Alta Forest Products is an equal opportunity employer. It considers all applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, gender, disability, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.