About this role
CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad
Location: Kansas City, MO
Job Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour — higher pay may be available depending on experience
Benefits: Full-time benefits
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime
Availability: 24/7 emergency on-call
About the Role
We are seeking a Class A CDL Heavy Equipment Operator for railroad track construction, maintenance, repair, and emergency response work.
This is an active field position involving equipment operation, commercial driving, material handling, track work, and physical labor. Driving is only one part of the job. Employees will spend significant time operating machinery and assisting with railroad and construction activities.
What You'll Do
- Perform DOT-compliant pre- and post-trip inspections.
- Drive tractor-trailers to and from work sites and safely transport equipment and materials.
- Inspect transported loads and verify overweight/oversize permits.
- Attend daily safety briefings and review work plans before beginning assignments.
- Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials.
- Support train derailment recovery, rerailing, load transfers, and track maintenance, repair, and construction .
- Assist with crane setup, inspection, assembly, and operation.
- Perform rigging using chains, cables, and winches .
- Operate heavy equipment when qualified, including cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, excavators, and other construction equipment .
- Perform specialty lifting, rerailing, grading, load transfer, and track-related work.
- Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools .
- Monitor vehicles and equipment to maintain safe and reliable operation.
- Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle servicing.
- Report more complex mechanical issues to the appropriate supervisor.
- Assist with equipment disassembly and loading after assignments.
- Restock vehicles and equipment with parts, components, and supplies.
- Clean and organize vehicles, equipment, tools, and work areas.
- Assist other departments when operational needs require.
- Follow all required safety policies and procedures.
Heavy Equipment Experience
3+ years of heavy equipment operation preferred , including:
- Backhoe
- Bulldozer
- Excavator
- Front-end loader
- Grapple truck
- Rail-bound equipment
- Tractor
- Skid-steer loader
Equivalent combinations of training and experience may be considered.
Qualifications
- Valid Class A CDL with a good driving record.
- Construction labor or comparable physically demanding work experience.
- Ability to safely operate heavy equipment.
- Ability to pass required qualification testing and training programs.
- Comfortable performing physical labor in field conditions.
- Willingness to respond to emergency calls and work extended hours.
- Must be available 24/7 , including weekends and holidays.
Schedule & Compensation
- 40 hours guaranteed per week.
- Significant overtime; typical combined regular and overtime hours average 60+ hours/week .
- Some weeks may reach approximately 70 hours .
- Hours worked outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM are paid at time-and-a-half .
- Additional compensation may include per diem, hotel pay for required travel, and layover pay when applicable .
- During periods without emergency assignments, employees may perform safety training, preventive maintenance, and equipment-related shop work .
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Pre-employment drug screening
- Background check
- Required qualification and safety testing
Interview: Candidates must bring steel-toed boots to the interview.