CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad

CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad

Location: Kansas City, MO
Job Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour — higher pay may be available depending on experience
Benefits: Full-time benefits
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime
Availability: 24/7 emergency on-call

About the Role

We are seeking a Class A CDL Heavy Equipment Operator for railroad track construction, maintenance, repair, and emergency response work.

This is an active field position involving equipment operation, commercial driving, material handling, track work, and physical labor. Driving is only one part of the job. Employees will spend significant time operating machinery and assisting with railroad and construction activities.

What You'll Do

• Perform DOT-compliant pre-trip and post-trip inspections on trucks, trailers, and equipment.
• Safely transport machinery, materials, and supplies between locations.
• Check cargo and confirm permits for oversized or overweight loads.
• Attend daily safety meetings and participate in work planning.
• Load, unload, position, and stage equipment and materials.
• Assist with railroad track construction, grading, maintenance, repairs, and related field activities.
• Support load adjustment and transfer operations.
• Assist with crane setup, inspection, and operation.
• Perform rigging work with chains, cables, and winches.
• Operate and assist with various heavy equipment.
• Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools.
• Observe trucks and equipment to identify maintenance or operating concerns.
• Complete and document minor vehicle and equipment maintenance.
• Help with equipment breakdown, loading, and job-site cleanup.
• Keep vehicles and equipment supplied with required parts, components, and materials.
• Maintain organized work areas, vehicles, tools, and equipment.
• Follow established safety procedures and work practices.
• Provide assistance to other departments and crews as needed.

Heavy Equipment

Experience with the following equipment is preferred:

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

Qualifications

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a good driving record.
• Background in construction, heavy equipment operation, or other physically demanding work.
• Ability to safely operate heavy equipment.
• Ability to successfully complete required qualifications, training, and safety testing.
• Able to perform physical field work and work extended hours when necessary.
• Must be available for 24/7 emergency response, including weekends and holidays.

Preferred Experience

3+ years of heavy equipment operation, 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.

Schedule & Pay Details

• 40 hours guaranteed per week.
• Typical workweeks average 60+ hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.
• Work performed outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM is paid at the applicable 1.5x overtime rate.
• Per diem, hotel expenses for travel, and layover pay may be available when applicable.
• 24/7 on-call availability is required for emergency response.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Drug screening
• Background check
• Required qualification and safety testing

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