Heavy Equipment & CDL Field Operator

Location: Taneytown, MD • Full-Time, Direct Hire

About the Role

We are hiring a Class A CDL Field Operator to transport and operate heavy equipment while supporting railroad recovery, track, and construction-related projects. This position combines commercial driving with hands-on equipment operation, material handling, and field support. The role requires a safety-focused individual who can work in demanding field conditions and respond to emergency assignments when needed.

Pay

$26.00/hour, with higher pay available based on experience. Starting salary: $57,200 annually, with higher pay available based on experience. Overtime paid at time-and-a-half for hours worked outside Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM. Per diem, hotel pay for qualifying travel, and layover pay may apply when hours exceed scheduled work requirements.

Schedule

40 hours guaranteed each week. Regular and overtime hours may average 60+ hours per week. 24/7 on-call availability for emergency response, including weekends and holidays.

Benefits

Full-time position with benefits.

Responsibilities

• Perform required pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in accordance with DOT regulations and company procedures
• Operate tractor-trailers safely to and from job sites
• Inspect transported equipment and loads and verify permits for overweight and oversize transportation
• Participate in daily work planning and safety briefings
• Load, unload, stage, and secure equipment and materials for field operations
• Support railroad re-railing, load adjustment and transfer, track maintenance, repairs, and new construction activities
• Assist with the assembly, inspection, setup, and operation of cranes and other heavy equipment
• Assist with rigging chains, cables, and winches during railroad recovery operations
• Operate equipment safely while maintaining awareness of coworkers, surroundings, and site conditions
• Operate cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, excavators, and other equipment when qualified
• Support specialty lifting, re-railing, load transfer, grading, track work, and railroad construction activities
• Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools as required
• Monitor equipment and vehicles to help maintain operational readiness and reduce downtime
• Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle service and report more complex mechanical issues to the appropriate supervisor
• Assist with equipment disassembly and loading at the completion of field assignments
• Restock vehicles and equipment with required parts, components, and supplies
• Sort scrap materials and place them in designated areas
• Assist other departments or divisions when needed to meet operational requirements
• Maintain clean, organized vehicles, equipment, and work areas
• Follow all required safety policies and procedures

Requirements

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a good driving record
• Experience in construction labor or a similar physically demanding position
• Ability to successfully complete required qualification, training, and safety programs
• Ability to remain available 24/7 for emergency service calls, including weekends and holidays
• Ability to work safely in outdoor and physically demanding environments

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience operating heavy equipment, including:
  • Backhoe
  • Bulldozer
  • Excavator
  • Front-end loader
  • Grapple truck
  • Rail-bound equipment
  • Tractor
  • Skid-steer loader
• An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Drug screening
• Background check

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.