Drain Tech

Drain Technician Company: Foss Recycling Location: As Assigned Job Type: Full-Time Reports To: Yard Manager About the Role & Our Core Values Foss Recycling, North Carolina's largest recycler and one of the East Coast's fastest-growing metal recycling companies, is seeking a dependable, safety-conscious, and hardworking Drain Technician to support vehicle recycling and processing operations.

The Drain Technician is responsible for preparing vehicles for placement in the U-Pull-It field or for crushing by safely removing automotive fluids, tires, batteries, catalytic converters, mercury switches, and other designated materials. This position also ensures vehicles are properly inventoried, identified, documented, and placed in assigned locations while maintaining safe equipment operations, environmental compliance, and an organized work area.

Our Mission is "Excellence in Recycling," and we work toward that goal through our Core Values. To succeed in this position, employees are expected to demonstrate these values in their daily work: Honesty: Accurately documenting vehicle processing, inventory information, material removal, and reporting discrepancies or safety concerns.

Accountability: Taking responsibility for assigned vehicles, equipment, completed drainage procedures, inventory records, and work area conditions. Customer Service: Supporting efficient vehicle availability and processing while treating customers, coworkers, and visitors professionally. Hard Work: Maintaining productive vehicle processing, minimizing holding-area backlogs, and completing assigned tasks accurately and efficiently.

Teamwork: Coordinating with the Location/U-Pull-It Manager, inventory personnel, cashiers, equipment operators, and other employees to support daily operations.

Key Responsibilities

Vehicle Preparation & Fluid Drainage Prepare incoming vehicles for placement in the U-Pull-It field or for crushing in accordance with company procedures. Safely remove gasoline, engine oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, and other designated automotive fluids. Use approved draining equipment, tools, and procedures to prevent spills, injuries, and environmental contamination.

Remove batteries, catalytic converters, and mercury switches as required by company procedures and applicable regulations. Remove tires from vehicles and demount tires from rims when assigned. Remove trash, clothing, jacks, and other designated loose materials from vehicles before processing. Verify that required fluid drainage and component removal procedures are completed before vehicles are released for their next processing stage.

Handle and store recovered fluids, components, and recyclable materials in designated areas. Promptly report vehicles that cannot be safely or completely processed. Vehicle Inventory, Identification & Placement Verify that each assigned vehicle is properly inventoried and identified with an accurate stock number. Ensure processed vehicles are placed in designated field locations or directed to the appropriate crushing area.

Record vehicle row numbers, stock numbers, and placement locations accurately. Communicate vehicle placement and inventory information to the cashier or designated inventory personnel. Help maintain accurate computer inventory records by promptly reporting vehicle movements and discrepancies. Coordinate with equipment operators to move vehicles safely and prevent unnecessary damage.

Maintain an organized vehicle holding area to minimize congestion and processing delays. Equipment Operations & Material Handling Operate or assist with loaders, forklifts, skid steers, Bobcats, and other authorized equipment when properly trained and qualified. Use approved hand tools, air tools, and vehicle-processing equipment safely.

Perform assigned material handling, component removal, and vehicle preparation tasks. Inspect tools and equipment before use and report defects or unsafe conditions. Follow applicable equipment operating procedures, manufacturer instructions, and company safety requirements. Maintain safe distances from moving equipment, suspended loads, and other operational hazards.

Support equipment cleaning and routine housekeeping responsibilities as assigned. Safety & Environmental Compliance Follow Foss Recycling safety policies, environmental procedures, operating instructions, and required training. Comply with applicable occupational safety and environmental requirements governing vehicle dismantling, fluid drainage, and material handling.

Use required personal protective equipment, including appropriate eye, head, hand, foot, and hearing protection. Follow established engineering controls, administrative procedures, and safe work practices in addition to wearing personal protective equipment. Properly collect, separate, label, store, and manage recovered automotive fluids and regulated components in accordance with applicable requirements.

Prevent unauthorized release of gasoline, oil, antifreeze, and other automotive fluids into the environment. Follow applicable procedures for handling batteries, mercury switches, catalytic converters, and other removed components. Use approved safety procedures when working beneath, around, or overhead on vehicles. Immediately report spills, injuries, near misses, equipment damage, unsafe conditions, and environmental concerns.

Stop work and notify management when conditions present an immediate safety concern. Maintain awareness of applicable workplace safety and environmental requirements relevant to assigned duties. Inventory Documentation & Recordkeeping Complete required vehicle inventory sheets and processing documentation accurately and legibly.

Verify that vehicle stock numbers, row locations, and processing details are correctly recorded. Submit required inventory sheets and supporting documents to the Inventory Clerk daily. Communicate missing, incomplete, or inconsistent inventory information promptly. Assist with correcting vehicle placement or documentation discrepancies.

Maintain accurate records of completed vehicle processing activities as required by company procedures. Housekeeping & Operational Efficiency Maintain the drain area in a clean, orderly, and reasonably hazard-free condition. Remove debris, trash, and unnecessary materials from designated work areas. Keep tools, equipment, recovered fluids, and vehicle components in approved storage locations.

Maintain organized vehicle processing and holding areas to support efficient workflow. Use available work time productively and assist with operational needs when primary duties are completed. Identify opportunities to improve drainage procedures, vehicle handling, processing time, and work area organization. Communicate recurring operational problems or improvement opportunities to management.

Customer Service & Team Support Communicate professionally and respectfully with coworkers, customers, management, and other personnel. Support timely vehicle processing to maintain customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Coordinate with cashiers, inventory personnel, equipment operators, and yard employees regarding vehicle status and placement.

Participate in regularly scheduled recycling team meetings. Assist the Location/U-Pull-It Manager with related operational responsibilities as assigned. Follow established company operating procedures and lawful management instructions. Stay informed of updated procedures, materials, and regulations relevant to assigned work.

Work cooperatively with other departments to support daily recycling operations.

Qualifications

Demonstrated honesty, accountability, commitment to customer service, strong work ethic, and ability to work effectively as part of a team. Basic knowledge of automobiles, vehicle components, and general automotive systems. Ability to learn and follow vehicle fluid drainage and dismantling procedures. Ability to safely use assigned hand tools, air tools, and vehicle-processing equipment.

Ability to follow workplace safety, environmental, and material-handling procedures. Ability to understand and follow written and verbal work instructions. Ability to communicate clearly in English as needed to perform assigned duties safely and accurately. Basic mathematical, reading, writing, and recordkeeping skills.

Ability to complete vehicle inventory sheets and supporting documentation accurately. Ability to remain alert while working around vehicles, heavy equipment, and moving machinery. Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a team. Ability to work indoors, outdoors, and in covered work areas under varying weather conditions.

Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Skills Basic automotive component identification. Vehicle fluid drainage and dismantling procedures. Automotive fluid and regulated-component handling. Tire removal and demounting. Hand tool and pneumatic tool operation.

Vehicle inventory identification and tracking. Basic material sorting and scrap-metal recognition. Safe equipment and vehicle movement awareness. Inventory documentation and recordkeeping. Workplace safety and environmental awareness. Time management, communication, and teamwork. Physical Requirements Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while performing vehicle-processing duties.

Ability to frequently bend, twist, reach, stoop, kneel, and use the hands and arms. Ability to perform overhead work using approved tools and equipment.