CDL A Railroad Equipment Operator
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour — higher pay available depending on experience
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime
Availability: 24/7 emergency on-call
Benefits: Full-time benefits
Position Overview
Seeking a Class A CDL professional to support railroad recovery and field operations. This is primarily a hands-on equipment and field position—driving accounts for approximately 10% of the job.
The role involves heavy equipment operation, material handling, rigging, railroad recovery, and physical work at job sites. Candidates must be comfortable with a 24/7 emergency on-call schedule, including weekends and holidays.
What You'll Do
- Perform DOT-compliant pre- and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment.
- Transport machinery, equipment, and materials to and from work sites.
- Inspect loads and verify permits for overweight and oversized transportation.
- Participate in daily safety briefings and review work plans.
- Load, unload, move, and position equipment and materials.
- Support train rerailing, load transfers, railroad car maintenance/repair, and track maintenance, repair, and construction.
- Assist with the assembly, setup, inspection, and operation of cranes and other equipment.
- Perform rigging using chains, cables, and winches.
- Operate heavy equipment when qualified, including cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, and excavators.
- Perform specialty lifting, rerailing, load transfer, grading, and railroad construction work.
- Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools.
- Monitor vehicles and equipment for safe and reliable operation.
- Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle service.
- Report major mechanical concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
- Assist with crane and equipment disassembly and loading after assignments.
- Restock vehicles and equipment with necessary parts, components, and supplies.
- Clean and organize equipment, vehicles, tools, and work areas.
- Assist other departments as needed.
- Follow all required safety procedures and regulations.
Equipment Experience
Requirements
- Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a good driving record.
- Construction labor or similar physically demanding work experience.
- Ability to safely operate heavy equipment.
- Ability to complete required qualification testing, training, and safety programs.
- Comfortable working in emergency-response situations and extended-hour assignments.
- Ability to perform physically demanding field work.
- Must be available 24/7 for emergency calls, including weekends and holidays.
Schedule & Compensation
- 40 hours guaranteed per week.
- Significant overtime; typical combined regular and overtime hours average 60+ hours per week, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.
- Hours outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM are paid at time-and-a-half.
- Additional compensation may include per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicable.
- During downtime between emergency assignments, employees may assist with safety training, preventive maintenance, and equipment-related shop work.
Pre-Employment Requirements
