CDL-A Excavator Operator – Railroad Recovery

CDL-A Excavator Operator – Railroad Recovery

Location: Candor, NC Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire Starting Pay: $26.00/hour, with higher pay available depending on experience Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed per week, with significant overtime Availability: On-call 24/7, including weekends and holidays Benefits: Full benefits package

Position Overview

We are hiring CDL-A operators to support railroad recovery and emergency derailment response. This hands-on position involves transporting equipment, operating excavators and cranes when qualified, and assisting with railroad car recovery, load transfers, and related equipment operations.

Driving makes up approximately 10% of the job. Most work takes place at job sites and involves operating heavy machinery, handling equipment, and performing physical labor. Employees must be prepared to respond to emergencies at any time and travel to local or out-of-area assignments.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in accordance with DOT regulations and company procedures.

• Drive tractor-trailers to and from job sites and inspect transported equipment and loads.

• Verify permits and load specifications for oversized or overweight equipment.

• Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials for railroad recovery and related operations.

• Operate excavators, cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, dump trucks, tractors, rail-bound equipment, and skid-steer loaders when qualified.

• Assist with crane assembly, inspection, operation, disassembly, and loading.

• Support rerailing operations, railcar maintenance and repair, load adjustment and transfer, track maintenance, track repair, and new track construction as needed.

• Assist with rigging operations using chains, cables, and winches.

• Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools as required.

• Monitor vehicles and machinery to maintain safe operating condition and reduce equipment downtime.

• Perform and document basic equipment maintenance and minor repairs. Refer more complex mechanical issues to the appropriate supervisor.

• Participate in daily work planning, safety briefings, equipment checks, and required safety training.

• Clean work areas and job sites, restock vehicles and equipment, organize supplies, and sort scrap materials.

• Follow all safety procedures and assist other teams as operational needs require.

Required Qualifications

Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-A) with a good driving record.

Experience in construction labor or another physically demanding role.

Ability to operate heavy equipment safely when qualified.

Basic mechanical skills and the ability to perform minor equipment maintenance.

Ability to perform physical work in a fast-paced, safety-focused environment.

Willingness to travel for local and out-of-area emergency assignments.

Availability to respond to emergency calls 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

Ability to complete required qualification tests, training, and safety programs.

Preferred Qualifications

Three or more years of heavy equipment operating experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Experience operating excavators and cranes.

Familiarity with backhoes, bulldozers, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, and skid-steer loaders.

Experience operating manual-transmission vehicles or equipment.

Railroad recovery, construction, or equipment maintenance experience.

Schedule and Compensation

40 hours guaranteed each week.

Typical workweeks average 60 or more hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.

Significant overtime is available. Hours outside the regular Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. schedule are paid at the applicable overtime rate, subject to company policy and applicable law.

Additional compensation may include per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicable.

Employees must remain available for emergency assignments throughout the year.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Pre-employment drug screening.

Background check.

Interview Reminder: Candidates must bring steel-toed boots to the interview.