CASTING OPERATOR

Job DetailsJob Location: W.A.F. - Crookston - Crookston, MN 56716Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $22.66 - $26.66 HourlyTravel Percentage: NoneJob Shift: DayJob Category: Manufacturing COAT IT. WELD IT. KEEP THE FOUNDRY POURING! NOW HIRING: LADLE COATER WAF – Crookston | Crookston, MN Are you someone who enjoys hands-on work, takes pride in doing things right, and isn't afraid of a little heat? WAF – Crookston is looking for a hardworking, safety-minded Ladle Coater to join our Foundry team! As a Ladle Coater, you'll play an important role in keeping our aluminum foundry running smoothly. You'll help prepare, maintain, repair, weld, and coat the ladles used in our melting and pouring processes. And when your primary ladle responsibilities are caught up, you'll also help keep production moving by furnace tending and running a Permanent Mold machine during employee breaks and lunches. This is a hands-on, versatile role where no two days are exactly the same! WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING: Prepare, clean, inspect, and coat ladles used to hold and pour aluminum. Apply the correct coating materials to help prevent aluminum from sticking and protect ladles from wear and tear. Monitor coating thickness and quality to ensure everything meets production and safety standards. Inspect ladles for cracks, wear, and damage. Repair or replace damaged ladles as needed. Perform welding and basic maintenance on ladles and related equipment. Keep coating materials properly handled and stored. Maintain welding equipment and communicate when supplies need to be reordered. Furnace tend as needed to help support Foundry operations. Run a Permanent Mold machine to provide break and lunch coverage for team members. Be flexible and jump in where needed to help keep production moving! Follow all safety procedures and wear the required PPE. Work as part of a team that takes pride in producing quality products safely and efficiently! WHAT IT TAKES: We're looking for someone who is: ✔ Safety-conscious ✔ Detail-oriented ✔ Mechanically inclined ✔ Comfortable working with tools and equipment ✔ Flexible and willing to support multiple areas of the Foundry ✔ Able to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment ✔ Physically capable of lifting, standing, and performing repetitive tasks ✔ A strong problem-solver ✔ Dependable and ready to be part of a team Previous foundry, manufacturing, welding, metal casting, furnace, ladle, or Permanent Mold experience is a plus—but a strong work ethic and willingness to learn go a long way! QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or equivalent required. Technical or vocational training in foundry operations is preferred. Previous experience in manufacturing or a foundry environment is preferred. WHAT'S THE WORK ENVIRONMENT LIKE? Let's be honest—this isn't a desk job! You'll be working in a hands-on foundry environment that can be hot, noisy, and fast-paced. You'll work around heavy equipment, machinery, molten metal, furnaces, Permanent Mold equipment, and other industrial processes. Safety is a big deal here. We provide and require the proper PPE, including flame-resistant clothing, gloves, safety boots, face shields, safety glasses, and hearing protection. WHY WAF – CROOKSTON? At WAF – Crookston, we're proud of the hardworking people who keep our operation moving. When you join our team, you'll have the opportunity to build a career in manufacturing while being part of a company that values hard work, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement. BENEFITS & PERKS INCLUDE: Competitive pay Health, dental & vision insurance Paid time off & holidays Company-paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability 401(k) Up to a 5% monthly discretionary bonus Daycare reimbursement up to $400/month $1,000 employee referral bonus Student loan repayment assistance Voluntary accident & critical illness insurance And more! READY TO GET TO WORK? If you're ready for a hands-on career where your work truly makes an impact—and where you're willing to jump in and support different areas of the Foundry—we'd love to hear from you! APPLY TODAY AND COME BE PART OF THE WAF – CROOKSTON TEAM! Qualifications Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is: Regularly required to talk and hear. Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must infrequently 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 ability to adjust focus.