CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator

CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator

Location: Kansas City, MO
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour, with higher pay available depending on experience
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed per week, with significant overtime
Availability: On-call 24/7, including weekends and holidays
Benefits: Full benefits package

Position Summary

We are hiring CDL-A drivers to support railroad emergency response and heavy equipment operations. This hands-on position involves transporting equipment to job sites, operating heavy machinery when qualified, and assisting with railroad recovery, load transfers, track repairs, and related construction work.

Driving accounts for approximately 10% of the role. The position requires physical labor, basic mechanical skills, and the flexibility to respond to emergency assignments on short notice. Employees also perform equipment maintenance and safety training between emergency calls.

Key Responsibilities

• • Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment according to DOT regulations and company procedures.

  • Drive tractor-trailers to and from job sites, inspect loads, and verify permits for oversized or overweight equipment.

  • Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials for railroad recovery, load adjustment, track repair, and construction activities.

  • Operate heavy equipment, when qualified, including cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, dump trucks, tractors, rail-bound equipment, and skid-steer loaders.

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

  • Support rigging operations using chains, cables, and winches.

  • Assist with railroad rerailing, railcar maintenance and repair, load adjustment and transfer, track maintenance, track repair, and new track construction.

  • Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools as required.

  • Perform basic equipment and vehicle maintenance, including oil changes and minor repairs. Report more complex mechanical issues to the appropriate supervisor.

  • Participate in daily safety briefings, work planning, equipment checks, and required safety training.

  • Clean job sites and maintain vehicles, equipment, tools, supplies, and work areas.

  • Restock equipment and vehicles, organize tools and materials, and sort scrap materials after assignments.

  • Follow all safety procedures and assist other departments as needed.

Required Qualifications

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

  • Basic mechanical skills, including the ability to perform minor repairs and oil changes.

  • Experience in construction labor or a similar physically demanding role.

  • Ability to operate standard construction equipment safely when qualified.

  • Ability to perform physical labor and work in a fast-paced, safety-focused environment.

  • Availability to respond to emergency calls at any time, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

  • Ability to complete required qualification tests, training, and safety programs.

  • Willingness to travel for local and out-of-area emergency assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• • Three or more years of heavy equipment operating experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

  • Experience operating backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, and skid-steer loaders.

  • Experience operating manual-transmission vehicles or equipment.

  • Basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting experience.

Compensation and Work Schedule

• • 40 hours of work guaranteed each week.

  • Typical workweeks average 60 or more hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.

  • Significant overtime is available. Hours outside the regular Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. schedule are paid at the applicable overtime rate, subject to company policy and applicable law.

  • Additional compensation may include per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicable.

  • Employees must remain available for emergency response throughout the year.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• • Pre-employment drug screening.

  • Background check.

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