Railroad Equipment Operator – CDL-A

CDL A Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad Location: Candor, NC 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 for railroad recovery and heavy equipment operations. This is a hands-on field position where driving makes up approximately 10% of the job. The majority of the work involves operating equipment, rigging, material handling, railroad recovery, and physical job-site support. Employees must be comfortable responding to emergency calls 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities Complete DOT 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 oversized or overweight transportation.

Participate in work planning and daily safety briefings.

Load, unload, stage, and position equipment and materials.

Support train rerailing, load transfers, railroad maintenance, track work, and construction activities .

Assist with crane and equipment setup, inspection, operation, breakdown, and loading.

Perform rigging with chains, cables, and winches .

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

Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and hand tools .

Monitor equipment and vehicles for safe and reliable operation.

Perform basic equipment servicing and document maintenance activities.

Report major mechanical issues for further repair.

Reload and secure equipment following field assignments.

Restock parts, supplies, and components.

Maintain clean and organized vehicles, tools, equipment, and work areas.

Assist other teams or departments as needed.

Follow all safety policies and procedures.

Requirements Valid Class A CDL with a good driving record.

Experience in construction, heavy equipment operation, or physically demanding field work.

Ability to safely operate heavy equipment.

Comfortable performing hands-on work in changing field conditions.

Able to complete required qualification testing, training, and safety programs.

Must be available for 24/7 emergency response , including weekends and holidays.

Preferred Experience 3+ years of heavy equipment operation , including:

Cranes

Backhoes

Bulldozers

Excavators

Front-end loaders

Grapple trucks

Dump trucks

Rail-bound equipment

Tractors

Skid-steer loaders

Railroad, rerailing, track maintenance, or load-transfer experience is a plus.

Equivalent training and hands-on experience may be considered.

Schedule & Additional Compensation 40 hours guaranteed each week.

Typical workweeks average 60+ hours , with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.

Hours outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM are paid at 1.5x overtime .

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

Emergency assignments may require local or out-of-area travel.

Pre-Employment Requirements Drug screening

Background check

Required qualification and safety testing

Interview: Candidates must bring steel-toed boots.