Railroad CDL Operator - Richmond, VA

Job Description

Job Description

Railroad CDL Operator – Richmond, VA

Job Type: Direct Hire \u007C Full-Time
Location: Richmond, VA
Starting Pay: $26/hour — higher depending on experience
Benefits: Full benefits package

Position Summary

We are looking for a Class A CDL operator to support railroad field operations throughout the region. This position combines commercial driving, heavy equipment operation, material handling, and hands-on railroad construction support.

The work may include emergency derailment response, rerailing, railroad car maintenance and repair, load adjustment or transfer, track repair, maintenance, and new track construction.

Schedule & Pay

• 40 hours guaranteed each week
• Average of 60+ hours per week, including overtime
• 24/7 on-call responsibility for emergency response
• Regular hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM
• Hours outside the regular schedule are paid at time and a half
• Per diem for qualifying assignments
• Hotel pay for travel
• Layover pay when applicable

What You'll Do

Driving & Transportation

• Perform DOT-compliant pre-trip and post-trip inspections on trucks, trailers, and equipment.
• Drive tractor-trailers between the home base and job sites.
• Inspect transported machinery, materials, and loads before and during travel.
• Confirm transportation permits and verify requirements for overweight and oversized loads.
• Safely load, secure, transport, unload, and stage equipment and materials.

Railroad & Field Operations

• Participate in daily work planning and safety meetings before field activities begin.
• Support rerailing and derailment recovery operations.
• Assist with railroad car maintenance and repair.
• Support load adjustment and transfer work.
• Assist with track maintenance, repairs, grading, and new track construction.
• Prepare equipment and materials for each assignment and help clean and secure the work site when work is completed.
• Assist with crane assembly, inspection, setup, and operation.
• Help rig equipment using chains, cables, and winches during derailment and rerailing work.
• Operate equipment safely while remaining aware of coworkers, vehicles, and surrounding conditions.

Heavy Equipment & Tools

Operate heavy equipment when qualified, including:

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

Use a variety of tools and equipment, including:

• Hydraulic tools
• Welding equipment
• Cutting torches
• Electrical tools
• Common hand tools

Equipment Maintenance & Jobsite Support

• Monitor trucks, vehicles, and equipment to help prevent downtime and maintain readiness.
• Perform and document minor vehicle and equipment service.
• Report more complex mechanical issues to the Shop Manager or Foreman.
• Assist with equipment and crane disassembly and loading after assignments.
• Return vehicles and equipment to the home base properly stocked with required parts, components, and supplies.
• Sort scrap materials and place them in designated areas.
• Keep vehicles, equipment, tools, and work areas clean, organized, and free of debris.
• Maintain equipment and work areas to established quality and workmanship standards.
• Assist other departments or divisions when needed to meet operational requirements.
• Follow all applicable safety policies, procedures, and regulations.

Required Qualifications

• Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Good driving record
• Experience performing construction labor or similar physically demanding work
• Ability to complete required qualification tests, training, and safety programs
• Must be available 24/7 , including weekends and holidays, for emergency service calls
• Ability to work safely in physically demanding field environments

Preferred Experience

3+ years of heavy equipment operating experience , including one or more of the following:

• Backhoe
• Bulldozer
• Excavator
• Front-end loader
• Grapple truck
• Rail-bound equipment
• Tractor
• Skid-steer loader

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

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Drug screening
• Background check

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.