CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad
Location: Kansas City, MO
Job Type: Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour, with higher pay available depending on experience
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime
Travel: Local and out-of-area emergency assignments
Benefits: Full-time position with benefits
Position Overview
Seeking a Class A CDL Heavy Equipment Operator for railroad recovery, load adjustment, track work, and field operations. This is a hands-on position where driving is a small part of the job. The majority of the work involves operating equipment, material handling, physical labor, and supporting emergency railroad operations.
24/7 on-call availability is required, including weekends and holidays.
What You'll Do
Complete DOT pre- and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment.
Transport equipment and materials to job sites and verify oversized/overweight permits.
Load, unload, stage, and position equipment and materials.
Support rerailing, load adjustment/transfer, track repair, maintenance, and new construction.
Assist with crane setup, inspection, operation, and breakdown.
Perform rigging with chains, cables, and winches.
Operate heavy equipment such as cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, excavators, front-end loaders, tractors, skid steers, and rail-bound equipment.
Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and hand tools.
Perform basic field equipment maintenance, including minor repairs and oil changes.
Monitor equipment and vehicles for safe operation and readiness.
Participate in safety meetings, training, and preventive maintenance activities.
Reload and secure equipment after assignments and help clean work areas.
Restock parts, supplies, and equipment at the end of assignments.
Assist other crews or departments as needed.
Requirements
Valid Class A CDL with a good driving record.
Basic mechanical skills for minor equipment repairs in the field.
Experience in construction, heavy equipment operation, or physically demanding labor.
Comfortable operating heavy equipment and working around railroad operations.
Strong preference for candidates experienced with manual-transmission equipment.
Able to complete required qualification testing, training, and safety programs.
Comfortable working extended hours and responding to emergency calls.
Available 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
Ability to perform physically demanding work in varying field conditions.
Preferred Experience
3+ years of heavy equipment operation, including backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, or skid-steer loaders.
Experience with railroad, rerailing, track maintenance, load transfer, or similar field operations is a plus.
Equivalent training and hands-on experience may be considered.
Hours & Additional Compensation
40 hours guaranteed each week.
Typical workweeks average 60+ hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.
Hours outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM are paid at 1.5x overtime.
Per diem, hotel expenses for required travel, and layover pay may be available when applicable.
Emergency assignments may require local or out-of-area travel.
Pre-Employment Requirements
