CDL A Railroad Equipment Operator

CDL-A Railroad Equipment Operator
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour — higher pay available depending on experience
Benefits: Full-time benefits
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime
Availability: 24/7 emergency on-call
Position Summary
Seeking a Class A CDL Equipment Operator to support railroad emergency response, rerailing, and recovery operations. This field-based position involves commercial driving, heavy equipment operation, material handling, rigging, and hands-on railroad work.
Driving is only one part of the role. During non-emergency periods, team members may assist with equipment servicing, preventive maintenance, shop activities, and safety training.

What You'll Do

- Perform DOT-compliant pre- and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment.

- Transport machinery, equipment, and materials to and from work sites.

- Inspect loads and verify permits for overweight and oversized transportation.

- Participate in daily safety briefings and review work plans.

- Load, unload, move, and position equipment and materials.

- Support train rerailing, load transfers, railroad car maintenance/repair, and track maintenance, repair, and construction .

- Assist with the assembly, setup, inspection, and operation of cranes and other equipment.

- Perform rigging using chains, cables, and winches .

- Operate heavy equipment when qualified, including cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, and excavators .

- Perform specialty lifting, rerailing, load transfer, grading, and railroad construction work.

- Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools .

- Monitor vehicles and equipment for safe and reliable operation.

- Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle service.

- Report major mechanical concerns to the appropriate supervisor.

- Assist with crane and equipment disassembly and loading after assignments.

- Restock vehicles and equipment with necessary parts, components, and supplies.

- Clean and organize equipment, vehicles, tools, and work areas.

- Assist other departments as needed.

- Follow all required safety procedures and regulations.

Equipment Experience

3+ years of heavy equipment operation preferred , including experience with:

- Backhoes

- Bulldozers

- Excavators

- Front-end loaders

- Grapple trucks

- Rail-bound equipment

- Tractors

- Skid-steer loaders

Equivalent combinations of relevant training and hands-on experience may be considered.

Requirements

- Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a good driving record.

- Construction labor or similar physically demanding work experience.

- Ability to safely operate heavy equipment.

- Ability to complete required qualification testing, training, and safety programs.

- Comfortable working in emergency-response situations and extended-hour assignments.

- Ability to perform physically demanding field work.

- Must be available 24/7 for emergency calls , including weekends and holidays.

Schedule & Compensation

- 40 hours guaranteed per week.

- Significant overtime; typical combined regular and overtime hours average 60+ hours per week , with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.

- Hours 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 travel, and layover pay when applicable .

- During downtime between emergency assignments, employees may assist with 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.