Assistant Manager – Compost & Soil Operations

Skagit Soils | Full-Time | Mount Vernon, WA

About Us

Skagit Soils has been recycling green waste and producing compost and soil products in the Skagit Valley for over 30 years. We serve Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, Island, and San Juan counties, keeping organics out of landfills and turning them into high-quality compost, mulch, soils, and aggregates.

In 2020, we partnered with Lautenbach Recycling, expanding our capabilities, equipment, and long-term growth. We’re a hands-on operation that takes pride in doing things the right way—quality products, safe work, and solid customer service.

About the Role

We’re hiring an Assistant Manager who can step into a true working leadership role. This isn’t a “sit in the office” job, and it’s not just running equipment either—you’ll be doing both, and leading a small crew while you do it.

You’ll work directly with the Site Manager to keep production moving, troubleshoot problems, and help run the day-to-day operation. If you understand composting—or at least how material flows through a yard—and you’re ready to take the next step into leadership, this is a strong opportunity.

What You’ll Be Doing

Compost & Soil Production

• Keep material moving from inbound yard waste to finished product
• Build, turn, and manage windrows with attention to moisture, temperature, oxygen, and contamination
• Blend soils and compost products to spec (topsoil mixes, amended soils, etc.)
• Run and support screening operations—adjusting feed rates, monitoring output quality, and managing overs/regrinds
• Maintain clean, organized stockpiles and efficient yard layout

Equipment Operation (Big Part of the Job)

You’ll spend a good portion of your time in equipment. We’re looking for someone comfortable and competent, not just “able to get by.”

• Loaders (primary tool):
  • Feeding grinders and screeners consistently without overloading
  • Blending materials accurately (bucket counts, layering, staging)
  • Building and maintaining windrows
  • Managing stockpiles safely (slope awareness, visibility, traffic)
• Screeners (trommel/deck screens):
  • Understanding screen sizes and how they affect final product
  • Adjusting feed rates to prevent clogging or poor separation
  • Recognizing when material is too wet/dry for efficient screening
  • Managing overs and reprocessing flow
• Grinders:
  • Feeding material correctly to avoid jams or damage
  • Watching for contamination (metal, plastic, etc.)
  • Coordinating grind size based on downstream use
• General expectations:
  • Daily walkarounds and equipment care
  • Knowing the limits of the machine and when something isn’t right
  • Working safely around other operators, trucks, and customers

Crew Leadership (Small Team, Big Impact)

• Lead a crew of about 6–7 employees during your shift
• Set the pace for the day and adjust as things change (weather, volume, breakdowns)
• Step in and help wherever needed—this is a working lead role
• Train new hires on equipment basics, safety, and workflow
• Fill in as the acting site lead when the manager is out

Safety & Yard Awareness

• Keep a constant eye on traffic flow—customers, trucks, loaders all in tight spaces
• Enforce safe practices without overcomplicating things
• Spot issues early: unstable piles, blind spots, unsafe behavior
• Make sure incoming material meets acceptance standards

Customer Interaction

• Help customers get what they need—product selection, loading, basic guidance
• Jump into the scale house when needed for breaks or coverage
• Handle issues calmly and professionally

Improvement & Problem Solving

• Speak up when something isn’t working—layout, process, equipment flow
• Help improve efficiency without cutting corners
• Take ownership of your area of the yard

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in composting, soils, landscaping materials, recycling, or similar outdoor operations
• Solid loader experience & mechanical knowledge
• Familiarity with screeners, grinders, or similar processing equipment is a big plus
• Understanding of how material behaves—wet vs dry, contaminated vs clean, finished vs raw
• Comfortable working outside year-round in a fast-moving yard
• Someone who naturally steps up, takes ownership, and leads by example
• Interest in growing into a Site Manager or Operations leadership role

Schedule

• Full-time
• Typically 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Weekend work (Saturday/Sunday) may be part of the schedule
• Two consecutive days off each week

Pay

$28.00 – $35.00 per hour (depending on experience)

Why This Job

If you’re an operator who wants more responsibility—or a lead who still likes being in the equipment—this is a chance to grow into something bigger.

You won’t be stuck in one lane here. You’ll learn the full operation, help make decisions, and have a real path into site leadership.