CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator

CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad
Location: Kansas City, MO
Job Type: Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour, with higher pay available depending on experience
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime
Travel: Local and out-of-area emergency assignments
Benefits: Full-time position with benefits
Position Overview
Seeking a Class A CDL Heavy Equipment Operator for railroad recovery, load adjustment, track work, and field operations. This is a hands-on position where driving is a small part of the job. The majority of the work involves operating equipment, material handling, physical labor, and supporting emergency railroad operations.
24/7 on-call availability is required, including weekends and holidays.

Key Responsibilities

- Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment according to DOT regulations and company procedures.

- Drive tractor-trailers to and from job sites, inspect loads, and verify permits for oversized or overweight equipment.

- Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials for railroad recovery, load adjustment, track repair, and construction activities.

- Operate heavy equipment, when qualified, including cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, dump trucks, tractors, rail-bound equipment, and skid-steer loaders.

- Assist with crane assembly, inspection, operation, disassembly, and loading.

- Support rigging operations using chains, cables, and winches.

- Assist with railroad rerailing, railcar maintenance and repair, load adjustment and transfer, track maintenance, track repair, and new track construction.

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

- Perform basic equipment and vehicle maintenance, including oil changes and minor repairs. Report more complex mechanical issues to the appropriate supervisor.

- Participate in daily safety briefings, work planning, equipment checks, and required safety training.

- Clean job sites and maintain vehicles, equipment, tools, supplies, and work areas.

- Restock equipment and vehicles, organize tools and materials, and sort scrap materials after assignments.

- Follow all safety procedures and assist other departments as needed.

Required Qualifications

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

- Basic mechanical skills, including the ability to perform minor repairs and oil changes.

- Experience in construction labor or a similar physically demanding role.

- Ability to operate standard construction equipment safely when qualified.

- Ability to perform physical labor and work in a fast-paced, safety-focused environment.

- Availability to respond to emergency calls at any time, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

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

- Willingness to travel for local and out-of-area emergency assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

- Three or more years of heavy equipment operating experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

- Experience operating backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, and skid-steer loaders.

- Experience operating manual-transmission vehicles or equipment.

- Basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting experience.

Compensation and Work Schedule

- 40 hours of work guaranteed each week.

- Typical workweeks average 60 or more hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.

- Significant overtime is available. Hours outside the regular Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. schedule are paid at the applicable overtime rate, subject to company policy and applicable law.

- Additional compensation may include per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicable.

- Employees must remain available for emergency response throughout the year.

Pre-Employment Requirements

- Pre-employment drug screening.

- Background check.

Interview Reminder: Candidates must bring steel-toed boots to the interview.