CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Rail Response

CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator - Rail Response Location: Kansas City, MO Job Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time Pay: Starting at $26.00/hour; higher depending on experience Schedule: 24/7 On-Call | 40 hours guaranteed Benefits: Full benefits, per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicable Position Overview We are hiring Class A CDL drivers to join a specialized rail response team supporting train derailment recovery and railroad maintenance. This is more than a driving position. Driving makes up approximately 10% of the job. Team members operate heavy equipment, assist with rerailing and track work, handle materials, perform equipment maintenance, and provide hands-on support at emergency job sites. The role requires someone who is comfortable with an unpredictable 24/7 on-call schedule, physical work, and responding quickly when emergency service is needed. What You'll Do Respond to railroad derailments and other emergency service callsTransport equipment and materials to and from job sites using tractor-trailers and other vehiclesComplete required pre-trip and post-trip inspections in accordance with DOT requirements and company proceduresInspect transported equipment and loads and verify permits for overweight or oversized equipmentParticipate in daily safety meetings and review work plans before beginning assignmentsLoad, unload, stage, secure, and transport equipment and materialsAssist with rerailing operations, load adjustment/transfer, track maintenance, repairs, new track construction, and related railroad workOperate heavy equipment such as cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, excavators, front-end loaders, bulldozers, rail-bound equipment, tractors, and skid-steer loaders when qualifiedAssist with crane assembly, equipment inspections, rigging, and connecting chains, cables, and winchesUse hydraulic tools, welding and cutting equipment, electrical tools, and common hand toolsPerform basic equipment and vehicle service and minor mechanical repairs; more complex issues are referred to the appropriate shop personnelMonitor equipment and vehicles to maintain operational readiness and minimize downtimeHelp disassemble, load, and secure cranes and other equipment following job completionRestock vehicles and equipment with parts, supplies, and components when returning to the home locationMaintain clean, organized work areas, vehicles, and equipmentFollow all required safety procedures and assist other departments or work crews as needed Requirements Valid Class A CDL with a good driving recordBasic mechanical skills for minor equipment maintenance and repairsExperience in construction, heavy equipment operation, or another physically demanding labor environmentAbility to safely operate equipment and work around heavy machineryAbility to pass required qualification, training, and safety programsMust be available for 24/7 emergency response, including weekends and holidaysMust be comfortable working extended hours and traveling as needed Preferred Experience 3+ years of heavy equipment operating experience, including one or more of the following:BackhoeBulldozerExcavatorFront-end loaderGrapple truckRail-bound equipmentTractorSkid-steer loader Experience with manual-transmission equipment is strongly preferredExperience with railroad, construction, rerailing, track maintenance, load adjustment, or similar field operations is a plus Schedule & Compensation 40 hours guaranteed per weekRegularly scheduled overtime; typical workweeks average 60+ hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hoursHours worked outside of Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM are paid at the overtime rate of time and a half24/7 on-call emergency response, including weekends and holidaysPer diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicableFull benefits package Work Environment This position involves physical, hands-on work at railroad and construction sites. Employees may work around heavy machinery, cranes, vehicles, tools, and other equipment in varying weather and field conditions. Team members may be cross-trained in rerailing, track maintenance, and load adjustment/transfer operations, allowing them to support different types of field assignments. Pre-Employment Requirements Drug screeningBackground checkRequired qualification and safety testing Interview Note: Candidates should 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.