About this role
CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator
Location: Kansas City, MO
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour; higher pay may be available depending on experience.
Job Overview
Qualdoc is hiring a CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator to support emergency transportation, equipment handling, and industrial field operations throughout the region.
This hands-on position combines commercial driving, heavy equipment operation, mechanical work, and physical labor. Employees transport equipment to job sites, assist with specialized lifting and material handling, and operate construction equipment as needed.
This is not a traditional over-the-road driving position. Most of the work involves equipment operation, field support, and hands-on labor. Employees also assist with safety training and equipment maintenance when not responding to emergency calls.
Schedule & Compensation
- 40 hours guaranteed per week.
- Significant overtime, with average workweeks of 60+ hours and occasional weeks reaching 70 hours.
- 24/7 on-call availability, including weekends and holidays.
- Time-and-a-half pay for hours worked outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.
- Additional compensation includes per diem, hotel accommodations for travel, and layover pay when applicable.
- Full-time position with benefits.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in accordance with company policies and DOT regulations.
- Drive tractor-trailers to and from job sites and inspect transported loads and equipment.
- Verify permits and ensure overweight and oversized load specifications are accurate.
- Load, unload, move, and stage materials and heavy equipment for field assignments.
- Operate heavy machinery, including cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, and excavators, when qualified.
- Assist with equipment assembly, inspections, rigging, and connecting chains, cables, and winches.
- Perform physical fieldwork involving material handling, lifting, grading, and site preparation.
- Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools as needed.
- Perform basic mechanical maintenance, including minor equipment repairs and routine service such as oil changes.
- Monitor vehicles and equipment to maintain safe and reliable operating conditions.
- Document maintenance activities and report more complex mechanical issues to the appropriate supervisor.
- Assist with equipment disassembly, loading, and transportation after completing assignments.
- Restock vehicles and equipment with necessary parts, components, and supplies.
- Maintain clean, organized, and safe vehicles, equipment, and work areas.
- Participate in daily safety briefings and follow all required safety procedures.
- Cross-train and assist with different field operations and departmental assignments as needed.
Qualifications
- Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL-A) with a good driving record.
- Previous experience in construction labor, equipment operation, or a physically demanding field position.
- Basic mechanical skills, including the ability to perform oil changes and minor equipment repairs.
- Ability to operate heavy equipment safely and efficiently.
- Comfortable performing physical labor and working outdoors in changing conditions.
- Willingness to travel to job sites and work extended hours.
- Must be available for emergency callouts 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
- Ability to successfully complete required qualification tests and safety training.
- Strong awareness of workplace safety and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Preferred Experience
- 3+ years of experience operating heavy equipment, including:
Backhoes
- Bulldozers
- Excavators
- Front-end loaders
- Grapple trucks
- Tractors
- Skid-steer loaders
- Rail-bound equipment
- Experience operating manual transmission trucks or heavy equipment.
- Familiarity with cranes, rigging, hydraulic tools, welding, and torch cutting.
- Experience performing preventive maintenance and minor mechanical repairs.
- Equivalent combinations of relevant training and experience may also be considered.
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Pre-employment drug screening
- Background check
Interview Requirement: Candidates must bring steel-toed boots to the interview.