UPS Fulfillment Center Forklift Operator — Certified Equipment, Premium Pay
Your Next Step in Topeka
Part-Time Opportunity in Topeka: Fulfillment Center Forklift Operator — Certified Equipment, Premium Pay Employer: UPS (Hiring Part-Time in Topeka) Based in: Topeka, KS Status: New Part-Time listing (Interviews this week).
Pay Rate: $27-$32/Hour (approx. $31.1k/Year) Benefits: Employee discounts and perks (where applicable). Join a friendly Topeka team with flexible shifts.
Position Scope
This role focuses on your professional skills with a schedule that fits your life.
- This Topeka-based role is an excellent opportunity for professionals skilled in customer service.
- Our UPS team in Topeka, KS is growing.
- Benefit from working in Topeka, a key hub for the Package Logistics And Fulfillment industry.
About UPS & Our Culture
Powered industrial equipment operators are among the most valued hourly workers in any fulfillment center — and at UPS, they earn some of the highest hourly rates in our entire Teamsters union workforce. Our Fulfillment Center Forklift Operators move the heavy freight that no conveyor can carry — pallet loads of bulk merchandise, oversized inbound skids, and staged outbound pallets that keep our sort floor supplied and our outbound dock operating without interruption. If you hold a forklift certification and are searching for forklift operator jobs near me that pay a genuine premium, come with union protection, and provide free recertification across multiple equipment classes, UPS fulfillment is the strongest landing spot in your market.
What Our Team Says (Employee Reviews)
"I have operated forklifts at three different warehouse employers before UPS, and the difference in pay, equipment quality, and safety culture is dramatic. UPS's fleet is maintained to a standard I have never seen elsewhere — every pre-trip deficiency gets fixed before you operate again, no exceptions. The Teamsters premium wage for certified operators is real, and UPS recertified me on two additional machine classes for free when I joined. The best forklift operator job I have held in fifteen years of equipment work." - Current Fulfillment Center Forklift Operator, Atlanta, GA.
Role Overview & Responsibilities
As a UPS Fulfillment Center Forklift Operator, you operate powered industrial trucks across our fulfillment center facility — moving inbound pallet loads from the receiving dock to the sort floor, replenishing outbound staging areas, and loading completed freight pallets onto outbound trailers — under strict UPS safety protocols and the OSHA-compliant equipment standards that define the UPS fleet management culture.
- Pallet Jack & Forklift Operation: Operate electric pallet jacks, sit-down counterbalance forklifts, and reach trucks as assigned, moving shrink-wrapped pallet loads between receiving, staging, and outbound dock areas with precise load control and constant awareness of floor personnel in your operating zone.
- OSHA Pre-Trip Inspection: Complete a documented OSHA-required pre-shift equipment inspection before operating any powered industrial truck, recording findings accurately in UPS's maintenance log and immediately removing any equipment with safety deficiencies from service before beginning your shift.
- Outbound Pallet Staging: Position completed outbound freight pallets at assigned trailer doors in the correct load sequence, communicating with the shipping associate team to ensure every pallet reaches its designated trailer before the hard departure schedule requires the dock door to close.
Benefits & Perks
UPS Fulfillment Center Forklift Operators earn a meaningful pay premium above standard handler Teamsters wages, reflecting the OSHA certification requirement and equipment operation responsibility of the role. All additional equipment certifications across the UPS fleet are provided free on-site. Full Teamsters medical, dental, and vision benefits, pension accrual, paid personal time, and UPS Earn & Learn tuition assistance are all included. This is the highest-paying entry-level role in our fulfillment center lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the UPS Fulfillment Center Forklift Operator — Certified Equipment, Premium Pay position pay at UPS?
This role offers a pay range of $27 - $32. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, shift, and location within Topeka.
Where is this UPS Fulfillment Center Forklift Operator — Certified Equipment, Premium Pay job located?
This position is based in Topeka, KS. UPS has facilities throughout the region, but this specific opening is in Topeka.
Do I need a forklift certification for this role?
No prior forklift certification is required. UPS provides free, paid on-site training and certification for all powered industrial truck (PIT) equipment including forklifts, clamp trucks, and order pickers.
Do I need prior experience to apply for this UPS Fulfillment Center Forklift Operator — Certified Equipment, Premium Pay job?
No prior experience is required. UPS provides all necessary training for new hires. This is an entry-level opportunity open to candidates from all backgrounds.
How many hours per week is this part-time UPS Fulfillment Center Forklift Operator — Certified Equipment, Premium Pay role?
Part-time positions at UPS generally range from 20 to 30 hours per week with flexible scheduling options. Exact hours depend on business needs and your availability.
What benefits does UPS offer for this position?
UPS provides comprehensive benefits starting Day 1, which may include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and employee assistance programs.
