Earn $16 per Hour as a Forklift Driver in Alaska, USA with Visa Sponsorships

Forklift drivers are essential to the logistics and warehousing industries as they ensure the smooth movement of goods and materials within a facility. In Alaska, where industries like fishing, oil, and manufacturing thrive, there is a growing demand for skilled forklift drivers.

Earning $16 per hour, this position provides opportunities for foreign workers to gain employment with visa sponsorship, making it an attractive option for those seeking to live and work in the U.S.

Overview of Forklift Driver Jobs in Alaska

Forklift drivers are responsible for operating industrial trucks to load, unload, and transport goods in warehouses, storage yards, factories, or construction sites. In Alaska, forklift drivers play a vital role in industries such as oil and gas, shipping, and fishing, where logistics and storage are critical.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Operating Forklifts: Safely operating forklift machines to move materials across a site, load or unload trucks, and organize products within warehouses or stockyards.
• Inspecting Equipment: Conducting routine maintenance checks on forklifts to ensure they are in safe working order, checking for damage, fuel levels, and proper function.
• Loading and Unloading Materials: Using forklifts to load and unload goods from vehicles or containers, ensuring that all materials are handled properly to avoid damage.
• Transporting Materials: Moving products between storage areas, trucks, and production lines as required by the operation.
• Maintaining Inventory Records: Assisting with keeping accurate records of materials moved, loaded, or stored in designated areas, often using inventory management systems.
• Ensuring Safety Standards: Adhering to company safety protocols, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and following OSHA safety guidelines for forklift operation.

Skills and Qualifications Required for Forklift Driver Jobs in Alaska

• Forklift Certification (Mandatory): In the U.S., OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires all forklift drivers to have proper certification. This involves taking a training course and passing both a written and practical test.
• High School Diploma or GED (Preferred): While not always mandatory, most employers prefer candidates to have a high school diploma or equivalent education.
• Work Experience: Prior experience operating forklifts in a warehouse or industrial setting is highly valued by employers. Some companies may offer on-the-job training, but having experience can give candidates an advantage.
• Forklift Operation Skills: Familiarity with various types of forklifts, including counterbalance forklifts, pallet jacks, and reach trucks, is essential for the job. Operators must know how to handle the machine in tight spaces and safely lift heavy loads.
• Mechanical Aptitude: Understanding how the forklift operates and being able to perform basic troubleshooting or preventive maintenance is an important skill in keeping the equipment running smoothly.
• Attention to Detail: Forklift drivers need to be precise when loading and unloading materials to avoid damage and ensure safe operations.
• Physical Stamina: The role requires standing for long periods, lifting heavy items, and moving quickly around the facility.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication with supervisors, warehouse workers, and truck drivers is important to ensure a smooth flow of operations.
• Time Management: Forklift drivers need to work efficiently to ensure that materials are transported in a timely manner, helping maintain overall productivity.
• Teamwork: The ability to collaborate with warehouse teams and other forklift operators ensures a coordinated effort for material handling.

Visa Sponsorship Opportunities for Forklift Drivers in Alaska

Alaska’s labor market often requires additional workers for industries like shipping, fishing, and construction. Forklift driving positions can qualify for visa sponsorship under certain U.S. programs designed to fill labor shortages.

• H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker Program

The H-2B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for non-agricultural jobs on a temporary basis when there are not enough domestic workers available. Forklift driver roles in industries such as warehousing and shipping may qualify for this visa, especially in regions like Alaska where labor demands fluctuate.

• Employment-Based Immigrant Visa (EB-3)

Forklift drivers may also be eligible for an EB-3 visa, which allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent employment in the U.S. To qualify for this visa, the employer must demonstrate a lack of available U.S. workers, and the foreign worker must have relevant skills and experience.

• Temporary Foreign Worker Programs (Canada)

For those seeking opportunities near Alaska, in parts of Canada, foreign workers may find forklift driving jobs through programs like the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Latest Forklift Driver Job Openings in Alaska

Here are a few current job listings for forklift driver roles in Alaska:

1. Forklift Driver at Anchorage Shipping Facility
   • Pay Rate: $16/hour
   • Visa Sponsorship: H-2B visa available for international applicants.
   • Duties: Loading/unloading shipments, transporting materials within the facility.
   • Location: Anchorage, AK
2. Warehouse Forklift Operator – Fisheries Industry
   • Pay Rate: $15.75/hour
   • Visa Sponsorship: Sponsorship available for experienced operators.
   • Duties: Moving fish products to and from cold storage, loading trucks for delivery.
   • Location: Kodiak, AK
3. Forklift Operator at Oilfield Services Company
   • Pay Rate: $16/hour
   • Visa Sponsorship: Possible EB-3 visa for qualified applicants.
   • Duties: Transporting oilfield materials, organizing storage areas.
   • Location: Prudhoe Bay, AK

Forklift driving jobs in Alaska offer a stable career path, with wages around $16 per hour and visa sponsorship opportunities through the H-2B and EB-3 visa programs. With industries such as shipping, fishing, and oil and gas in high demand, foreign workers can secure these positions, gain experience, and possibly pursue permanent residency.

For further information and to proceed with your application, you can proceed to visit the following online job boards for current job openings

• Indeed
• Glassdoor
• ZipRecruiter
• Monster