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 Summary

We are seeking a CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator to support field operations involving equipment transportation, heavy machinery, and hands-on labor. This position combines limited commercial driving with equipment operation, job-site preparation, and routine maintenance. It is a field-based role, not a long-haul trucking position.

Employees must be ready to respond to emergency calls at any time, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

What You’ll Do

• Inspect trucks, trailers, and equipment before and after trips in accordance with DOT regulations and company procedures.

• Transport equipment and materials to job sites, check loads, and verify permits for oversized or overweight shipments.

• Attend daily safety briefings and coordinate work plans with the crew.

• Load, unload, move, and position equipment and materials for field assignments.

• Assist with equipment recovery, specialty lifting, material transfers, grading, infrastructure work, and construction projects.

• Help assemble, inspect, and operate cranes and other machinery when qualified.

• Assist with rigging using chains, cables, and winches.

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

• Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and standard hand tools as required.

• Monitor equipment performance, complete basic servicing and minor repairs, and report major mechanical issues to the shop supervisor.

• Help dismantle and load equipment after assignments are complete.

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

• Follow safety procedures and assist with other operational tasks when needed.

Requirements

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and a good driving record.

• Experience in construction labor or a similar physically demanding position.

• Ability to operate heavy machinery safely and perform hands-on field work.

• Ability to complete required qualification tests and safety training.

• Availability for 24/7 emergency response, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Experience

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

• An equivalent combination of training and practical experience may also be considered.

Schedule & Pay

• 40 hours guaranteed per week.

• Significant overtime, with employees averaging 60+ hours per week and 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 expenses for travel, and layover pay when applicable.

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

Benefits & Hiring Requirements

• Full-time employment with benefits.

• Pre-employment drug screening and background check.

Interview reminder: 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.