About this role
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
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime
Availability: 24/7 emergency on-call
Benefits: Full-time benefits
Position Overview
Seeking a Class A CDL professional to support railroad recovery and field operations. This is primarily a hands-on equipment and field position—driving accounts for approximately 10% of the job.
The role involves heavy equipment operation, material handling, rigging, railroad recovery, and physical work at job sites. Candidates must be comfortable with a 24/7 emergency on-call schedule, including weekends and holidays.
What You'll Do
- Respond to train derailments and assist with rerailing, load transfer, and railroad track repair or construction.
- Operate equipment such as cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, excavators, front-end loaders, rail-bound equipment, tractors, and skid-steer loaders .
- Transport equipment and materials to and from job sites and inspect loads, permits, trucks, trailers, and machinery.
- Complete required pre-trip and post-trip inspections in accordance with DOT requirements.
- Assist with crane assembly, inspection, operation, disassembly, and loading.
- Perform rigging using chains, cables, and winches during derailment operations.
- Load, unload, stage, and secure equipment and materials at job sites.
- Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools .
- Perform minor equipment and vehicle service, including basic maintenance, and report more complex repairs.
- Participate in job-site safety meetings and daily work planning.
- Monitor equipment to help maintain operational readiness and minimize downtime.
- Clean and organize vehicles, equipment, tools, and work areas.
- Restock equipment and vehicles with required parts, supplies, and components after assignments.
- Sort and properly store scrap materials.
- Assist other departments or crews as needed.
Schedule & Compensation
- 40 hours guaranteed per week
- Significant overtime; typical weeks average 60+ hours , with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.
- Hours worked outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM are paid at 1.5x overtime .
- 24/7 emergency on-call availability is required.
- Per diem, hotel pay for qualifying travel, and layover pay may be available.
Requirements
- Valid Class A CDL with a good driving record.
- Experience in construction, industrial work, or another physically demanding labor environment.
- Ability to operate heavy equipment safely and effectively.
- Ability to complete required qualification, training, and safety programs.
- Comfortable responding to emergency calls at any time, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Ability to perform physical job-site work and work safely around heavy equipment.
Preferred Experience
- 3+ years operating heavy equipment, including backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, or skid-steer loaders.
- Equivalent combinations of training and hands-on experience may be considered.
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Drug screening
- Background check
Interview: Candidates should bring steel-toed boots.