CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator

CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator

Location: Candor, NC
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour - higher pay available depending on experience
Benefits: Full-time benefits
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime
Availability: 24/7 emergency on-call
Job Overview

We are hiring a Class A CDL Equipment Operator for railroad emergency response and rerailing operations. This is a hands-on field role that combines commercial driving, heavy equipment operation, material handling, rigging, and physical labor.

Driving is only part of the position. During non-emergency periods, employees may assist with shop work, preventive equipment maintenance, and safety training.

Responsibilities

• Conduct DOT-required inspections before and after operating trucks, trailers, and equipment.
• Transport machinery, materials, and supplies safely to work locations.
• Check cargo and confirm permits for oversized or overweight loads.
• Take part in daily planning, safety meetings, and job briefings.
• Load, unload, move, and position equipment and materials for railroad and rerailing work.
• Assist with:
  • Train rerailing
  • Load adjustment and transfer
  • Track maintenance and repairs
  • Railroad construction
  • Grading
• Assist with crane assembly, setup, inspection, and operation.
• Perform rigging activities using chains, cables, and winches.
• Operate or assist with the following equipment:
  • Cranes
  • Backhoes
  • Bulldozers
  • Excavators
  • Front-end loaders
  • Grapple trucks
  • Dump trucks
  • Rail-bound equipment
  • Tractors
  • Skid-steer loaders
• Work with hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools.
• Monitor equipment and vehicles for safe and dependable operation.
• Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle servicing.
• Assist with equipment disassembly, loading, transportation, and job-site cleanup.
• Keep vehicles and equipment stocked with necessary parts, components, and supplies.
• Maintain orderly work areas, vehicles, tools, and equipment.
• Follow all applicable safety requirements.
• Provide support to other teams or departments as needed.

Qualifications

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a good driving record.
• Experience in construction, heavy equipment operation, or other physically demanding labor.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment safely and effectively.
• Ability to complete required qualification, training, and safety programs.
• Must be available for 24/7 emergency response, including weekends and holidays.
• Able to perform physical field work and work extended hours when required.

Preferred Experience

3+ years of heavy equipment operation, including experience with:

• Backhoes
• Bulldozers
• Excavators
• Front-end loaders
• Grapple trucks
• Rail-bound equipment
• Tractors
• Skid-steer loaders

Equivalent combinations of relevant training and hands-on experience may be considered.

Schedule & Compensation

• 40 hours guaranteed per week.
• Typical workweeks average 60+ hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.
• Hours worked outside Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM are paid at the applicable 1.5x overtime rate.
• Per diem, hotel expenses for travel, and layover pay may be available when applicable.
• 24/7 on-call availability is required for emergency response.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Drug screening
• Background check
• Required qualification and safety testing

Interview: 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.