CDL-A Rerail Equipment Operator
Location: Richmond, VA
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26/hour, higher depending on experience
Benefits: Full benefits package
Hours: 40 guaranteed; typically 60+ hours/week with significant overtime
Position Overview
We are hiring a Class A CDL operator to support railroad rerailing and emergency response operations. This is a hands-on position where driving is only one part of the job. Operators also handle heavy equipment, assist with rerailing and track work, transport materials, and perform physical labor at active job sites.
The position requires 24/7 on-call availability, including weekends and holidays, and the ability to respond quickly when emergency railroad service is needed.
What You'll Do
- Perform pre- and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in accordance with DOT regulations and company procedures.
- Transport equipment and materials to and from job sites, including overweight and oversize loads.
- Inspect loads and verify required transportation permits.
- Participate in daily job planning and safety meetings before work begins.
- Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials for rerailing, load transfer, and track maintenance or construction.
- Assist with the setup, inspection, and operation of cranes and other heavy equipment.
- Perform rigging using chains, cables, and winches during rerailing operations.
- Operate equipment such as cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, dump trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, and skid steers.
- Assist with specialty lifting, rerailing, grading, load transfers, and railroad track work.
- Use hydraulic tools, welding and cutting equipment, electrical tools, and common hand tools.
- Monitor vehicles and equipment for safe and reliable operation.
- Perform basic equipment and vehicle service and report major mechanical issues for repair.
- Assist with breaking down, loading, and securing cranes and equipment after assignments.
- Restock vehicles and equipment with required parts, supplies, and components.
- Sort scrap materials and maintain clean, organized work areas and vehicles.
- Perform additional field or departmental duties as needed.
- Follow all required safety procedures and maintain a professional standard of workmanship.
Requirements
- Class A CDL with a good driving record.
- Previous construction, heavy labor, or similar hands-on work experience.
- Ability to safely perform physically demanding work.
- Willingness to complete required training, qualification, and safety programs.
- 24/7 availability for emergency calls, including weekends and holidays.
- Ability to work extended hours and respond to emergency railroad situations.
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
- Railroad, rerailing, track maintenance, or related construction experience is a plus.
Compensation & Schedule
- 40 hours guaranteed each week.
- Typical schedules average 60+ hours/week, with opportunities for significant overtime.
- Hours worked outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM are paid at time-and-a-half.
- Per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay may be available.
- 24/7 on-call emergency response, including weekends and holidays.
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Drug screen
- Background check
Interview: Candidates should bring steel-toed boots.
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.
