CDL A Railroad Equipment Operator

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 Benefits: Full-time benefits Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime Availability: 24/7 emergency on-call Position Summary Seeking a Class A CDL Equipment Operator to support railroad emergency response, rerailing, and recovery operations. This field-based position involves commercial driving, heavy equipment operation, material handling, rigging, and hands-on railroad work. Driving is only one part of the role. During non-emergency periods, team members may assist with equipment servicing, preventive maintenance, shop activities, and safety training.

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 3+ years of heavy equipment operation preferred , including experience with:

• Backhoes

• Bulldozers

• Excavators

• Front-end loaders

• Grapple trucks

• Rail-bound equipment

• Tractors

• Skid-steer loaders

Equivalent combinations of relevant training and hands-on experience may be considered.

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 • Pre-employment drug screening

• Background check

• Required qualification and safety testing

Interview: Candidates must bring steel-toed boots to the interview.