CDL A Railroad Equipment Operator

CDL A Railroad Equipment Operator

Location: Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour — 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 professional to support railroad recovery and field operations. This is primarily a hands-on equipment and field position—driving accounts for approximately 10% of the job.

The role involves heavy equipment operation, material handling, rigging, railroad recovery, and physical work at job sites. Candidates must be comfortable with a 24/7 emergency on-call schedule, including weekends and holidays.

What You'll Do

• Perform DOT-compliant pre- and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment.
• Transport machinery, equipment, and materials to and from work sites.
• Inspect loads and verify permits for overweight and oversized transportation.
• Participate in daily safety briefings and review work plans.
• Load, unload, move, and position equipment and materials.
• Support train rerailing, load transfers, railroad car maintenance/repair, and track maintenance, repair, and construction.
• Assist with the assembly, setup, inspection, and operation of cranes and other equipment.
• Perform rigging using chains, cables, and winches.
• Operate heavy equipment when qualified, including cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, and excavators.
• Perform specialty lifting, rerailing, load transfer, grading, and railroad construction work.
• Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools.
• Monitor vehicles and equipment for safe and reliable operation.
• Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle service.
• Report major mechanical concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
• Assist with crane and equipment disassembly and loading after assignments.
• Restock vehicles and equipment with necessary parts, components, and supplies.
• Clean and organize equipment, vehicles, tools, and work areas.
• Assist other departments as needed.
• Follow all required safety procedures and regulations.

Equipment Experience

3+ years of heavy equipment operation preferred, including experience with:

• Backhoes
• Bulldozers
• Excavators
• Front-end loaders
• Grapple trucks
• Rail-bound equipment
• Tractors
• Skid-steer loaders

Equivalent combinations of relevant training and hands-on experience may be considered.

Requirements

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a good driving record.
• Construction labor or similar physically demanding work experience.
• Ability to safely operate heavy equipment.
• Ability to complete required qualification testing, training, and safety programs.
• Comfortable working in emergency-response situations and extended-hour assignments.
• Ability to perform physically demanding field work.
• Must be available 24/7 for emergency calls, including weekends and holidays.

Schedule & Compensation

• 40 hours guaranteed per week.
• Significant overtime; typical combined regular and overtime hours average 60+ hours per week, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.
• Hours outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM are paid at time-and-a-half.
• Additional compensation may include per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicable.
• During downtime between emergency assignments, employees may assist with safety training, preventive maintenance, and equipment-related shop work.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Pre-employment drug screening
• Background check
• Required qualification and safety testing

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