CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Description

Job Description

CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator

Location: Richmond, VA
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour; higher pay may be available depending on experience

Job Overview

We are hiring a CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator to transport equipment and materials, operate construction machinery, and assist with demanding field projects. This is a hands-on role that combines commercial driving, equipment operation, physical labor, and equipment maintenance. It is not an over-the-road driving position.

Employees must be available for emergency assignments at any time, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in accordance with company procedures and DOT regulations.

• Drive tractor-trailers to and from job sites and verify loads, equipment, and permits for oversized or overweight transportation.

• Participate in daily safety briefings and review work plans with the crew.

• Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials before and after field assignments.

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

• Assist with specialty lifting, material transfers, equipment recovery, infrastructure repairs, and construction activities.

• Help assemble and inspect equipment and use chains, cables, and winches for rigging operations.

• Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools as needed.

• Monitor equipment condition and perform basic servicing and minor repairs. Report more complex mechanical issues to the shop supervisor.

• Assist with equipment disassembly, loading, and transportation after completing assignments.

• Restock vehicles with parts and supplies, sort scrap materials, and keep equipment and work areas clean and organized.

• Follow all safety procedures and assist other teams or departments when operational needs require it.

Qualifications

• Valid Class A CDL with a good driving record.

• Experience in construction labor or another physically demanding role.

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

• Ability to perform hands-on work and safely operate heavy machinery around coworkers and other equipment.

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

• Availability for emergency call-outs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays.

Schedule & Compensation

• 40 hours guaranteed per week.

• Significant overtime; employees average 60 or more hours weekly, with some weeks reaching 70 hours.

• Time-and-a-half pay for hours worked outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.

• Additional compensation may include per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicable.

• During downtime between field assignments, employees may complete safety training, preventive maintenance, and equipment servicing.

Benefits

• Full-time employment with benefits.

• Opportunities to develop heavy equipment operating and technical skills.

Hiring Requirements

• Pre-employment drug screening.

• Background check.

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

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.