Grinder Crew Member
JOB OPPORTUNITY BULLETIN
Posting Date: October 14, 2026
Date Posting Will Close: Open until filled
Job Title: Grinder Crew Member
Location/Department: Purvis, MS/Central Maintenance
Rate of Pay: $13/hour
Position Summary:
See Attached Job Description This job description is not intended and should not be considered to be a complete list of all duties, skills, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be a reasonable outline of those principal job elements essential in maintaining related position. The job description is not a contract, the County reserves the right to modify job descriptions at any time.JOB DESCRIPTION
SUMMARYThe Grinder Crew Member performs skilled and semi-skilled work as part of the Road Department’s grinder crew. This position assists the Grinder Crew Leader with the daily operation, maintenance, transportation, and cleaning of wood-grinding machinery and related equipment. Duties include handling and moving limbs, logs, wood chips, and other debris; operating chainsaws and log splitters; pulling and maneuvering a 30-foot gooseneck trailer; and assisting with the safe setup and operation of heavy equipment, along with other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES- Assist the Grinder Crew Leader with daily grinding operations and related assignments.
- Assist with the setup, operation, inspection, and shutdown of grinders and related machinery.
- Perform routine daily maintenance, cleaning, and basic servicing of grinder equipment.
- Remove limbs, wood chips, logs, and debris from work areas and around machinery.
- Load, unload, move, stack, and dispose of limbs, logs, wood chips, and other materials.
- Safely operate chainsaws, log splitters, hand tools, power tools, and other assigned equipment.
- Inspect chainsaws, log splitters, and related tools before use and report any unsafe condition or needed repair.
- Assist with cleaning accumulated debris from grinders, trucks, trailers, and other machinery.
- Safely connect, inspect, pull, back, maneuver, and disconnect a 30-foot gooseneck trailer.
- Assist with loading and securing machinery, tools, and materials for transportation.
- Inspect trailers, hitches, safety chains, tires, lights, brakes, and load securement before travel.
- Assist in directing trucks, trailers, and equipment during backing, loading, unloading, and positioning operations.
- Perform basic inspections of assigned vehicles and equipment and report mechanical or safety concerns promptly.
- Perform minor preventive-maintenance tasks, such as checking fluid levels, lubricating equipment, cleaning components, and replacing basic items as directed.
- Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work area.
- Follow established traffic-control and work-zone safety procedures.
- Wear all required personal protective equipment, including eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing, and chainsaw protective equipment, as applicable.
- Immediately report injuries, property damage, unsafe conditions, equipment malfunctions, and near-miss incidents to the supervisor.
- Assist other Road Department crews and perform related duties as assigned.
- Respond to emergency or after-hours assignments when required.
- High school diploma or GED preferred.
- Valid Mississippi driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
- Previous experience pulling, backing, and maneuvering a 30-foot gooseneck trailer.
- Basic knowledge of heavy equipment, trailers, grinders, or similar machinery.
- Experience safely operating a chainsaw and log splitter.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Ability to work assigned hours and report for overtime or emergency work when required.
- Ability to successfully complete all required pre-employment and ongoing screenings.
The employee must possess or be able to develop:
- Basic knowledge of heavy-equipment operation and safety.
- Knowledge of safe trailer connection, towing, backing, maneuvering, and load-securement practices.
- Knowledge of chainsaw, log-splitter, and power-tool safety.
- Ability to recognize unsafe equipment conditions and workplace hazards.
- Ability to perform routine inspections and basic equipment maintenance.
- Ability to safely work near grinders, loaders, trucks, trailers, and other moving machinery.
- Ability to judge distances and maintain awareness of people, equipment, and obstacles.
- Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and members of the public.
- Ability to follow instructions and complete assignments with limited supervision after appropriate training.
- Ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of a crew.
- Dependability, punctuality, and a commitment to safe work practices.
The physical requirements described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.
The employee must be able to:
- Regularly stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, push, and pull.
- Frequently use hands and arms to handle tools, equipment, limbs, logs, and debris.
- Regularly lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds and perform team lifting for heavier or awkward items.
- Climb onto and off trucks, trailers, machinery, and equipment.
- Maintain balance while working on uneven, muddy, rocky, or slippery surfaces.
- Perform sustained physical work for extended periods.
- Safely operate vehicles, trailers, chainsaws, log splitters, and related equipment.
- Possess sufficient vision, hearing, depth perception, and coordination to work safely around vehicles and moving machinery.
- Work while exposed to vibration, noise, dust, fumes, wood chips, flying debris, and outdoor weather conditions.
Work is performed primarily outdoors and around heavy equipment, grinders, trucks, trailers, chainsaws, and other machinery. The employee may be exposed to:
- Heat, cold, rain, humidity, wind, and direct sunlight;
- Loud or continuous noise;
- Dust, fumes, wood chips, and airborne debris;
- Moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment;
- Sharp tools, chainsaws, logs, limbs, and uneven materials;
- Traffic and active roadside work areas;
- Uneven, muddy, wet, or slippery ground; and
- Extended periods of standing and physical exertion.
Lamar County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that all employment practices are conducted in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
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