CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad Recovery

CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad Recovery

Location: Kansas City, MO
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour; higher depending on experience
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly, with significant overtime. Average workweeks are 60+ hours and may reach 70 hours.
Availability: On-call 24/7, including weekends and holidays

Job Overview

We are hiring a CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator to support railroad recovery, derailment response, track repair, and equipment transport. This hands-on position combines heavy equipment operation, mechanical work, and physical labor. Driving makes up approximately 10% of the job; most time is spent operating equipment, assisting field crews, and maintaining readiness for emergency assignments.

Employees receive cross-training in rerailing, track maintenance, and load adjustment. During downtime, duties include safety training and preventive maintenance (PM) on equipment.

Responsibilities

• Drive tractor-trailers to transport equipment and materials to and from job sites; complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections in accordance with company policies and DOT regulations.

• Inspect loads, verify transportation permits, and confirm requirements for oversized and overweight equipment.

• Operate heavy equipment such as cranes, backhoes, excavators, bulldozers, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, dump trucks, skid steers, and rail-bound equipment, as qualified.

• Assist with railroad rerailing, load adjustment and transfer, railroad car maintenance, track repairs, grading, and railroad construction.

• Load, unload, stage, and secure equipment and materials at job sites.

• Assist with crane assembly, inspections, rigging, and the use of chains, cables, and winches during recovery operations.

• Use hydraulic tools, welding and cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools to complete field assignments.

• Perform basic mechanical maintenance, including minor roadside repairs and routine preventive maintenance; report more complex issues to the shop manager or foreman.

• Participate in job briefings and safety meetings, follow work plans, and maintain awareness of coworkers and surrounding equipment.

• Clean job sites, organize tools, restock vehicles and equipment, and prepare supplies for future assignments.

• Support other departments as needed and maintain safe, clean, and operational equipment.

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 such as an oil change.

• Experience in construction labor or another physically demanding role.

• Ability to operate standard construction equipment and perform hands-on fieldwork.

• Availability for emergency callouts at any time, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

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

• Commitment to safe work practices in a demanding industrial environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of experience operating heavy equipment, including backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, or skid-steer loaders.

• Experience driving equipment with a manual transmission.

• Previous experience in railroad operations, construction, equipment maintenance, or emergency field response.

Compensation and Benefits

• 40 hours of work guaranteed each week, with substantial overtime opportunities.

• Hours worked outside the regular Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM schedule are paid at the applicable overtime rate of time-and-a-half.

• Per diem, hotel accommodations or hotel pay for qualifying travel, and layover pay when applicable.

• Benefits package available through direct hire.

Employment Requirements

• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

• Steel-toed boots are required for the interview.

• Must be able to work in an emergency-response environment where assignments and schedules can change with little notice.