CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator

CDL-A Railroad Field Operator – Track & Rerail
Location: Taneytown, MD
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour, with higher pay available depending on experience
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed; average 60+ hours per week, with potential for 70 hours
Overtime: Time and a half for eligible hours outside Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
Additional Compensation: Per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicable
Benefits: Full-time benefits
Availability: On-call 24/7, including weekends and holidays
Travel: Regional and out-of-area emergency assignments
Job Overview
Join a field operations team responding to railroad emergencies and supporting track maintenance, rerailing, equipment transport, and railcar repair. This hands-on position combines Class A CDL driving, heavy equipment operation, and physical labor. Driving accounts for approximately 10% of the job; the remaining time involves equipment operation, material handling, maintenance, and field work.

Key Responsibilities

- Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in accordance with company procedures and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.

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

- Participate in daily work planning and safety briefings before beginning assignments.

- Load, unload, move, and stage materials and equipment for rerailing, load adjustment and transfer, track maintenance, repairs, and new track construction.

- Assist with crane assembly, inspections, equipment setup, and safe operation.

- Connect chains, cables, and winches and assist with rigging during railroad derailment recovery.

- Operate heavy equipment such as cranes, backhoes, excavators, grapple trucks, dump trucks, and other machinery as qualified.

- Use hydraulic equipment, welding and torch-cutting tools, electrical tools, and common hand tools to complete assigned work.

- Perform track maintenance, grading, specialty lifting, railroad car recovery, load transfers, and related construction activities.

- Monitor equipment and vehicles for operational readiness and minimize downtime.

- Perform and document basic equipment maintenance and refer more complex repairs to the appropriate supervisor.

- Assist with dismantling, loading, and securing equipment after job completion.

- Restock vehicles and equipment, organize supplies, and sort scrap materials at the home base.

- Maintain clean vehicles, equipment, and work areas while following safety procedures and supporting other departments as needed.

Required Qualifications

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

- Experience in construction labor, equipment operation, or another physically demanding role.

- Ability to perform hands-on fieldwork and safely work around heavy machinery.

- Willingness to work a 24/7 on-call schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, when emergency response is required.

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

- Commitment to workplace safety, teamwork, and efficient job completion.

Preferred Experience

- At least 3 years of heavy equipment operation 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.

- Railroad derailment recovery, rerailing, track maintenance, or railroad construction experience is a plus.

Schedule and Compensation

- 40 hours guaranteed per week.

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

- Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate for qualifying hours outside the standard Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. schedule, subject to applicable overtime rules.

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

- Emergency assignments may require extended hours and rapid deployment.

Pre-Employment Requirements

- Pre-employment drug screening.

- Background check.

- Required qualification and safety assessments.

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