CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator - Railroad Recovery

Job Description

Job Description

CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad Recovery

Location: Richmond, VA
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour, with higher pay depending on experience
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed per week; typically 60+ hours, with significant overtime
Benefits: Full benefits package, per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicable

Position Summary

Join a field operations team responding to railroad derailments, track projects, and equipment recovery assignments. This hands-on role combines CDL-A driving, heavy equipment operation, and physical fieldwork. Driving makes up approximately 10% of the job; most time is spent supporting on-site operations.

Employees must be available for emergency callouts 24/7, including weekends and holidays . Work may require rapid response, extended hours, and travel outside the local area.

Key Responsibilities

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

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

• Participate in job briefings and daily safety meetings before beginning field assignments.

• Load, unload, stage, and secure materials and equipment for railroad recovery, rerailing, load adjustment, and track work.

• Assist with crane assembly, inspection, operation, and disassembly.

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

• Assist with rerailing operations, railroad car maintenance and repair, load transfers, track maintenance, track repairs, grading, and new track construction.

• Use chains, cables, rigging equipment, winches, hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and standard hand tools as needed.

• Monitor equipment and vehicles to maintain safe, reliable operation and minimize downtime.

• Complete minor equipment servicing and document maintenance; report more complex mechanical issues to the shop manager or foreman.

• Clean work areas, organize tools, sort scrap materials, and restock vehicles and equipment for future assignments.

• Follow all safety policies and maintain equipment, vehicles, and work areas in good condition.

• Assist other departments as needed to support field operations.

Required Qualifications

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

• Experience in construction labor or another physically demanding role.

• Ability to operate standard construction equipment and perform hands-on fieldwork.

• Willingness to complete required qualification tests, safety training, and equipment training.

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

• Ability to work extended hours in a demanding field environment.

Preferred Experience

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

• Equivalent combinations of training and practical equipment operating experience will also be considered.

Compensation and Work Requirements

• 40 hours of work guaranteed each week.

• Typical workload averages 60+ hours per week, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.

• Hours worked outside the regular Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM schedule are paid at time-and-a-half, according to the applicable overtime policy.

• Per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay may be available when applicable.

• Full benefits package.

• During periods without emergency assignments, employees may complete safety training, preventive maintenance, and equipment checks.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Pre-employment drug screening.

• Background check.

• Steel-toed boots must be brought 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.