About this role
Railroad Equipment Operator – CDL-A
Location: Candor, NC
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour, with 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 Railroad Equipment Operator to support emergency railroad recovery and heavy equipment operations. This is primarily an equipment and field-work position; driving makes up only a small portion of the job.
The role involves operating cranes and excavators, rigging, material handling, equipment maintenance, and physical labor. Employees must be comfortable responding to emergency assignments at any time.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in accordance with DOT regulations and company procedures.
- Drive tractor-trailers to and from job sites and inspect transported equipment and loads.
- Verify permits and load specifications for oversized or overweight equipment.
- Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials for railroad recovery and related operations.
- Operate excavators, cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, dump trucks, tractors, rail-bound equipment, and skid-steer loaders when qualified.
- Assist with crane assembly, inspection, operation, disassembly, and loading.
- Support rerailing operations, railcar maintenance and repair, load adjustment and transfer, track maintenance, track repair, and new track construction as needed.
- Assist with rigging operations using chains, cables, and winches.
- Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools as required.
- Monitor vehicles and machinery to maintain safe operating condition and reduce equipment downtime.
- Perform and document basic equipment maintenance and minor repairs. Refer more complex mechanical issues to the appropriate supervisor.
- Participate in daily work planning, safety briefings, equipment checks, and required safety training.
- Clean work areas and job sites, restock vehicles and equipment, organize supplies, and sort scrap materials.
- Follow all safety procedures and assist other teams as operational needs require.
Required Qualifications
- Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-A) with a good driving record.
- Experience in construction labor or another physically demanding role.
- Ability to operate heavy equipment safely when qualified.
- Basic mechanical skills and the ability to perform minor equipment maintenance.
- Ability to perform physical work in a fast-paced, safety-focused environment.
- Willingness to travel for local and out-of-area emergency assignments.
- Availability to respond to emergency calls 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
- Ability to complete required qualification tests, training, and safety programs.
Preferred Qualifications
- Three or more years of heavy equipment operating experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Experience operating excavators and cranes.
- Familiarity with backhoes, bulldozers, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, and skid-steer loaders.
- Experience operating manual-transmission vehicles or equipment.
- Railroad recovery, construction, or equipment maintenance experience.
Schedule and Compensation
- 40 hours 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 assignments throughout the year.
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Pre-employment drug screening.
- Background check.
Interview Reminder: Candidates must bring steel-toed boots to the interview.