Pony Rig Sawyer

Humboldt Sawmill Company is part of The Mendocino Companies, which collectively own nearly 450,000 acres of FSC®-certified redwood and Douglas-fir timberland, operate the largest waterborne wood treater in the Western USA, and are the world’s largest producer of redwood lumber. The companies employ 950 people across the Western USA and also run a 25-megawatt biomass cogeneration power plant and wood pellet plant.

About the role

This is a non-exempt, hourly position on the swing shift (Monday–Friday, 3:30 pm–12:15 am) based in Scotia, CA.

Pay

$35.65 per hour.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) matching
• Life insurance

Responsibilities

• Operate the pony rig, log carriage, and conveyor system to saw logs into cants and/or boards safely and productively.
• Run the infeed deck and coordinate with the log loader for efficient material flow.
• Scan exposed log surfaces after each cut to determine grade and plan subsequent cuts.
• Operate the mechanical log turner to reposition logs on the carriage for continued processing.
• Assist with saw changes and basic equipment adjustments as needed.
• Communicate effectively with quad and edger operators to ensure smooth operations.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
• Perform additional duties or work in other areas as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two to five years of related sawmill or planer experience and/or training preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Basic understanding of timber grading rules preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to read and comprehend written instructions, correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple, clear sentences.
• Basic math skills, including addition and subtraction of two-digit numbers and multiplication/division using multiples of 10 and 100.

Physical Demands

• Remain seated for extended periods while visually monitoring logs and operating equipment controls using a joystick with push-button functions.
• Occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl when assisting with saw changes or equipment changeovers.
• May occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, such as when handling wood materials.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and vibration from machinery such as saws, conveyors, and hydraulic systems.
• Frequent exposure to airborne particles (sawdust), lubricants, fumes, and risk of electrical shock.
• Occasional exposure to wet or humid conditions, high or precarious places (catwalks, scaffolding, elevated work areas), and outdoor weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow).
• Loud noise levels requiring consistent use of hearing protection in designated areas.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) per company policy and OSHA standards, including safety glasses or face shields, hearing protection, safety gloves, steel-toe footwear, hard hats, and respiratory protection if necessary.