Scrap Inspector at Blue Island Recycling, LLC – Blue Island, Illinois

Position Overview:
Blue Island Recycling is seeking a safety-driven, detail-oriented Scrap Inspector focused on incoming materials, peddler transactions, and appliance processing. This role is responsible for inspecting all inbound materials to ensure compliance with company policies as well as federal, state, and local regulations before acceptance. The Scrap Inspector is the first line of defense for yard safety, material quality, and compliance and is responsible for maintaining safe and efficient traffic flow while communicating clearly with customers, truck drivers, and other employees.

Key Responsibilities:

Safety and Compliance (Primary Focus):
- Inspect all incoming scrap at the scale, peddler area, and unloading zones
- Identify and stop entry of prohibited or hazardous materials, including sealed or pressurized containers, propane tanks, lithium-ion batteries or hybrid components, and improperly handled appliances
- Enforce safety policies and take immediate action on unsafe loads
- Isolate, document, and report hazardous or rejected materials
- Maintain clean, organized, and hazard-free receiving areas

Incoming Scrap Inspection and Acceptance:
- Evaluate incoming materials to verify grade, type, and quality
- Make accept, reject, or downgrade decisions on loads and peddler material
- Identify contamination and communicate with scale and yard personnel
- Direct materials to the proper unloading and processing locations
- Enter and maintain accurate inspection and load information in company systems

Traffice Control and Yard Flow:
- Guide traffic in and out of the yard to maintain safe and efficient flow
- Communicate with the scale house and operators to coordinate unloading
- Ensure materials are unloaded in designated areas safely and efficiently

Peddler Interaction and Customer Handling:
- Work directly with peddlers brining in scrap
- Clearly explain acceptance or rejection decisions in a professional buy firm manner
- Ensure materials are properly sorted and unloaded in designated areas
- Handle disagreements with customers while maintaining control and enforcing company standards
- Uphold company grading and safety requirements at all times

Freon Recovery and Appliance Handling:
- Safely recover Freon or refrigerants from appliances following company procedures
- Use proper PPE and required safety equipment
- Ensure appliance are properly processed before entering the scrap stream
- Identify imporperly prepared appliances and take corrective action
- Maintain compliance with environmental regulations related to refrigerants

Additional Duties:
- Attend meetings and complete required training
- Perform other related duties as assigned by management

Required Qualifications:
- - Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Strong commitment to safety enforcement with no exceptions
- Ability to identify scrap materials and recognize hazards quickly
- Willingness to perform Freon recovery and appliance processing
- Ability to make firm decisions and stand behind them with drivers and customers
- Strong communication skills and ability to handle confrontational situations
- Ability to work in an outdor industrial environment in all weather conditions

Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience in scrap metal, recycling, or industrial operations
- Knowledge of ferrous and non-ferrous materials
- Experience identifying hazardous materials such as batteries, pressurized containers, and refigerants
- Experience working with peddlers or customers in a yard setting
- Two or more years of scrap handling or inspection experience

Key Competencies:
- Ability to communicate effectively in a professional manner
- Ability to communicate using hand signals and two-way radios
- Ability to learn and apply laws and regulations governing scrap purchasing
- Ability to make decisions regarding material quality in accordance with company policies
- Ability to use a tablet, pen and paper, or system to enter information efficiently
- Ability to maintain a safe and clean work environment

Education and Experience:
- High School diploma or GED required
- Knowledge of ferrous and non-ferrous metals preferred
- Scrap yard experience preferred

Physical Requirements:
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods on uneven surfaces
- Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds
- Regular exposure to outdoor conditions including extreme temperatures, dust, noise, and industrial hazards

Work Environment:
- Outdoor scrap yard focused on receiving and peddler areas
- Frequent interaction with truck drivers, peddlers, and heavy equipment
- PPE required at all times and provided by company

Benefits:
- Competitive pay based on experience
- Health, dental, vision, and life insurance options
- Paid time off and company holidays
- 401(k) / retirement plan
- Weekly pay
- Overtime opportunities
- Opportunities for advancement within a growing operation
- Ongoing training and development
- Stable, full-time wsork in a safety-focused environment

Additional Information:
Blue Island Recycling, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace.