Salary :
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CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator & Rail Services Technician
Location: Richmond, VA
Job Type: Direct Hire
Starting Pay: From $57,200 per year (higher pay available based on experience)
Position Overview
We're hiring a CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator & Rail Services Technician to support railroad maintenance, emergency response, and heavy equipment operations. This role combines commercial driving, equipment operation, and hands-on labor to assist with derailment recovery, railcar repairs, track maintenance, load transfers, and railroad construction projects.
This is a full-time position offering excellent overtime opportunities, travel benefits, and comprehensive employee benefits.
Schedule
- Guaranteed 40 hours per week
- Average workweek of 60+ hours including overtime
- On-call 24/7 for emergency response, including nights, weekends, and holiday
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting pay from $57,200 annually (higher starting pay based on experience)
- Overtime paid at 1.5x the regular hourly rate for hours worked outside Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM
- Per diem for eligible travel
- Hotel accommodations provided during overnight travel
- Layover pay when applicable
- Full-time position with benefits
Key Responsibilities
- Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in accordance with DOT regulations and company standards.
- Safely transport heavy equipment and materials to and from job sites using a Class A CDL tractor-trailer.
- Verify permits and inspect oversized or overweight loads before transport.
- Participate in daily job planning meetings and safety briefings before work begins.
- Load, unload, stage, and secure equipment and materials needed for rail maintenance, derailment recovery, load transfers, and construction activities.
- Assist with rerailing operations and railroad car repairs.
- Assemble, inspect, and operate cranes and other heavy equipment while following established operating procedures and safety requirements.
- Support rigging operations by connecting chains, cables, winches, and lifting equipment during recovery projects.
- Operate heavy machinery, including:
- Cranes
- Backhoes
- Excavators
- Grapple trucks
- Dump trucks
- Bulldozers
- Front-end loaders
- Rail-bound equipment
- Tractors
- Skid-steer loaders
- Use hydraulic equipment, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools to complete assigned work.
- Monitor equipment performance and report maintenance concerns.
- Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs while escalating major mechanical issues to maintenance personnel.
- Assist with dismantling and loading cranes and specialty equipment following project completion.
- Restock vehicles, tools, parts, and supplies to maintain operational readiness.
- Maintain clean, organized work vehicles, equipment, and job sites.
- Support other departments and work assignments as business needs require.
- Follow all company safety procedures and maintain a strong commitment to safe work practices.
Required Qualifications
- Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL-A) with a good driving record.
- Experience performing construction labor or similar physically demanding work.
- Ability to successfully complete required qualification testing, training, and safety programs.
- Must be available for emergency response on a 24/7 on-call basis, including weekends and holidays.
- Ability to safely perform physically demanding tasks in outdoor work environments.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with 3 or more years of heavy equipment operating experience are encouraged to apply. Experience operating the following equipment is highly desirable:
- Backhoe
- Bulldozer
- Excavator
- Front-end loader
- Grapple truck
- Rail-bound equipment
- Tractor
- Skid-steer loader
Equivalent combinations of training and practical experience will also be considered.
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening
- Background check
Why Join Our Team?
If you enjoy operating heavy equipment, working outdoors, and responding to unique challenges in a fast-paced environment, this role offers a rewarding career with competitive pay, extensive overtime opportunities, travel benefits, and the chance to work on specialized railroad operations throughout the region.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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