CDL A Railroad & Heavy Equipment Operator
Location: Kansas City, MO
Job Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour — higher pay may be available depending on experience
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime
Availability: 24/7 emergency on-call
Benefits: Full-time benefits
Position Overview
Hiring Class A CDL professionals for hands-on railroad field work involving train derailment recovery, track work, heavy equipment operation, and material handling.
Driving is approximately 10% of the role. Most of the work involves operating construction equipment, physical field work, equipment handling, and supporting railroad recovery operations.
This position requires 24/7 emergency availability, including weekends and holidays. Typical workweeks average 60+ hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.
What You'll Do
- Perform DOT-compliant pre- and post-trip inspections.
- Drive tractor-trailers to and from work sites and safely transport equipment and materials.
- Inspect transported loads and verify overweight/oversize permits.
- Attend daily safety briefings and review work plans before beginning assignments.
- Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials.
- Support train derailment recovery, rerailing, load transfers, and track maintenance, repair, and construction.
- Assist with crane setup, inspection, assembly, and operation.
- Perform rigging using chains, cables, and winches.
- Operate heavy equipment when qualified, including cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, excavators, and other construction equipment.
- Perform specialty lifting, rerailing, grading, load transfer, and track-related work.
- Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools.
- Monitor vehicles and equipment to maintain safe and reliable operation.
- Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle servicing.
- Report more complex mechanical issues to the appropriate supervisor.
- Assist with equipment disassembly and loading after assignments.
- Restock vehicles and equipment with parts, components, and supplies.
- Clean and organize vehicles, equipment, tools, and work areas.
- Assist other departments when operational needs require.
- Follow all required safety policies and procedures.
Heavy Equipment Experience
Qualifications
- Valid Class A CDL with a good driving record.
- Construction labor or comparable physically demanding work experience.
- Ability to safely operate heavy equipment.
- Ability to pass required qualification testing and training programs.
- Comfortable performing physical labor in field conditions.
- Willingness to respond to emergency calls and work extended hours.
- Must be available 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
Schedule & Compensation
- 40 hours guaranteed per week.
- Significant overtime; typical combined regular and overtime hours average 60+ hours/week.
- Some weeks may reach approximately 70 hours.
- Hours worked 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 required travel, and layover pay when applicable.
- During periods without emergency assignments, employees may perform safety training, preventive maintenance, and equipment-related shop work.
Pre-Employment Requirements
