CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Load Adjust

CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator - Load Adjust Location: Kansas City, MO Job Type: Direct Hire Starting Pay: $26.00/hour — higher pay may be available depending on experience Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime Travel: Local and out-of-area emergency assignments Benefits: Full-time position with benefits Job Overview We are seeking a CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator to support railroad emergency response and field operations. This hands-on position involves transporting and operating equipment, adjusting and transferring loads, assisting with derailment response, and performing physical work at job sites. Driving makes up approximately 10% of the position. The majority of the job involves equipment operation, load adjustment, rigging, maintenance, and other field duties. This role requires someone who is comfortable with an unpredictable 24/7 on-call schedule and responding to emergency assignments, including weekends and holidays. Schedule & Compensation 40 hours guaranteed each weekAverage workweek is 60+ hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hoursOn-call 24/7 for emergency responseHours worked outside Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM are paid at time-and-a-halfPer diem for qualifying assignmentsHotel pay for travelLayover pay when applicable Responsibilities Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipmentDrive tractor-trailers to and from job sites and safely transport equipment and materialsInspect transported loads and verify required permits for overweight or oversized equipmentLoad, unload, stage, secure, and reposition materials and equipmentAssist with load adjustment and transfer operations during railroad emergency assignmentsSupport rerailing, track maintenance/repair, railroad car maintenance, and related field activities as neededAssist with assembly, inspection, operation, and disassembly of cranes and other equipmentPerform rigging and connect chains, cables, and winches during field operationsOperate equipment such as:CranesBackhoesGrapple trucksDump trucksExcavatorsFront-end loadersRail-bound equipmentTractorsSkid-steer loaders Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand toolsMonitor vehicles and equipment to maintain safe and reliable operationPerform and document minor equipment maintenance and repairs, including basic mechanical tasks such as oil changesReport more complex mechanical issues for additional repairParticipate in daily safety briefings and follow all required safety proceduresAssist with site cleanup and return equipment, tools, parts, and supplies to the proper locationsMaintain vehicles, equipment, tools, and work areas in an organized and safe conditionPerform other field duties as needed to support operations Requirements Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)Good driving recordExperience in construction, equipment operation, or another physically demanding labor positionBasic mechanical skills for minor equipment repairsAbility to work safely with heavy equipment, tools, and riggingComfortable working an on-call 24/7 scheduleAbility to respond to emergency assignments, including weekends and holidaysMust successfully complete required qualification, training, and safety programs Preferred Experience 3+ years of heavy equipment operation experienceExperience operating backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, or skid-steer loadersExperience with manual-transmission equipmentExperience with railroad, construction, load transfer, rigging, or emergency field operations Pre-Employment Requirements Drug screenBackground check Interview Requirement: Candidates must bring steel-toed boots to the interview. 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.