Railroad Equipment Operator – CDL A
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour, with higher pay available based on experience
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed + significant overtime
On-Call: 24/7 availability, including weekends and holidays
Benefits: Full benefits package
Position Overview
We are looking for a Class A CDL holder to support railroad emergency response, rerailing, load transfers, track work, and construction activities. This hands-on position combines commercial driving, heavy equipment operation, rigging, equipment handling, and physical job-site work.
The position requires flexibility for emergency calls and extended workweeks. Employees may typically work 60+ hours per week, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours based on operational demands.
Responsibilities
- Complete DOT-compliant pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment.
- Drive tractor-trailers to and from work sites and verify transported equipment and loads.
- Check permits for overweight and oversize equipment and loads.
- Participate in daily planning and job-site safety briefings.
- Load, unload, stage, and move equipment and materials for rerailing, load transfers, track work, grading, and construction.
- Assist with railroad derailment response, specialty lifting, rerailing, and track maintenance or repair.
- Help assemble, inspect, and operate cranes and other heavy equipment.
- Perform rigging activities, including connecting chains, cables, and winches.
- Operate equipment such as cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, excavators, and other construction or rail equipment when qualified.
- Use hydraulic tools, welding and cutting equipment, electrical tools, and hand tools as needed.
- Assist with equipment disassembly, loading, and securing after assignments.
- Monitor trucks and equipment for operating issues and help minimize downtime.
- Perform and document minor vehicle and equipment service; report major mechanical concerns to the Shop Manager or Foreman.
- Restock vehicles and equipment with required parts, components, and supplies.
- Clean work areas and properly sort and dispose of scrap materials.
- Assist other departments as operational needs require.
- Maintain vehicles, equipment, and work areas in a clean, organized, and safe condition.
- Follow all applicable company safety procedures and regulations.
Schedule & Overtime
- 40 hours guaranteed per week
- Significant overtime available; combined regular and overtime hours typically average 60+ hours per week
- Hours worked outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM are paid at time-and-a-half
- 24/7 emergency on-call availability required
- Must be available for weekends and holidays when needed
- During downtime, rerail team members may perform safety training, preventive maintenance, and equipment-related shop work.
Requirements
- Class A CDL with a good driving record
- Construction labor or similar physically demanding work experience
- Ability to safely operate construction and heavy equipment
- Ability to complete required qualification testing, training, and safety programs
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond to emergency calls
- Ability to perform physically demanding work safely
Preferred Equipment Experience
3+ years of heavy equipment operation preferred, including experience with:
- 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.
Additional Compensation
- Per diem
- Hotel accommodations or payment for required travel
- Layover pay when applicable
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Pre-employment drug screen
- Background check
Interview Requirement: Candidates must bring steel-toed boots to the interview.