CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator

Qualdoc; West Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Job summary

Qualdoc in West Chicago, IL seeks a Class A CDL Equipment Operator for railroad emergency response, construction, and field operations. This role involves operating heavy equipment, moving materials, and supporting recovery work on job sites.

You must be available for 24/7 emergency response, including weekends and holidays; training and safety programs must be completed; some travel to local and area assignments may be required. Local work and safety compliance are essential.

Qualifications

• Valid Class A CDL with a good driving record.
• Experience in construction, heavy equipment operation, or physically demanding field work.
• Ability to safely and effectively operate heavy equipment.
• Ability to complete required training, qualification, and safety programs.
• Strong willingness to work in emergency-response conditions and extended-hour assignments.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work in the field.
• Must be available for 24/5 emergency calls, including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Complete DOT-required pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment.
• Drive and transport machinery, materials, and equipment to and from work locations.
• Check loads and confirm permits for oversized or overweight transportation.
• Participate in safety meetings and review job plans before starting work.
• Load, unload, position, and stage equipment and materials.
• Support railroad emergency and recovery operations, including train rerailing, load transfers, track maintenance and repairs, and related construction work.
• Help set up, inspect, and operate cranes and other heavy equipment.
• Perform rigging activities using chains, cables, and winches.
• Assist with equipment disassembly, transportation, and job-site cleanup.
• Monitor equipment and vehicles for safe and reliable operation.
• Perform and record minor vehicle and equipment servicing.
• Keep vehicles, tools, equipment, and work areas clean and organized.

Skills

CDL driving

Construction experience

Heavy equipment operation

Safety training

Emergency-response mindset

Physical stamina

24/5 availability

Tools

Cranes

Backhoes

Bulldozers

Excavators

Front-end loaders

Grapple trucks

Rail-bound equipment

Tractors

Skid-steer loaders

Job description

Location:

West Chicago, IL

Job Type:

Direct Hire

Starting Pay:

$26.00/hour — higher pay may be available depending on experience

Schedule:

40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime

Travel:

Local and out-of-area emergency assignments

Benefits:

Full-time position with benefits

Position Summary

Seeking a Class A CDL Equipment Operator for railroad emergency response, construction, and field operations. This position involves much more than driving—you will also operate heavy equipment, move materials, assist with railroad recovery work, and perform hands-on equipment and job-site support.

Employees must be available for 24/7 emergency response, including weekends and holidays.

Primary Duties

• Complete DOT-required pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment
• Drive and transport machinery, materials, and equipment to and from work locations
• Check loads and confirm permits for oversized or overweight transportation
• Participate in safety meetings and review job plans before starting work
• Load, unload, position, and stage equipment and materials
• Support railroad emergency and recovery operations, including:
• Train rerailing
• Load transfers
• Track maintenance
• Track repairs
• Related construction work
• Help set up, inspect, and operate cranes and other heavy equipment
• Perform rigging activities using chains, cables, and winches
• Assist with equipment disassembly, transportation, and job-site cleanup
• Monitor equipment and vehicles for safe and reliable operation
• Perform and record minor vehicle and equipment servicing
• Keep vehicles, tools, equipment, and work areas clean and organized
• Maintain necessary parts, supplies, and components in vehicles and equipment
• Follow required safety procedures and work practices
• Provide support to other teams and departments as needed

Equipment & Tools

Experience operating or working with the following is valuable:

• Cranes
• Backhoes
• Bulldozers
• Excavators
• Front-end loaders
• Grapple trucks
• Dump trucks
• Rail-bound equipment
• Tractors
• Skid-steer loaders
• Hydraulic tools
• Welding equipment
• Cutting torches
• Electrical tools
• Common hand tools

Qualifications

• Valid Class A CDL with a good driving record
• Experience in construction, heavy equipment operation, or physically demanding field work
• Ability to safely and effectively operate heavy equipment
• Ability to complete required training, qualification, and safety programs
• Strong willingness to work in emergency-response conditions and extended-hour assignments
• Ability to perform physically demanding work in the field
• Must be available for 24/5 emergency calls, including weekends and holidays

Preferred Experience

• 3+ years of heavy equipment operating experience, including experience with backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, or skid-steer loaders
• Equivalent relevant training and hands-on experience may be considered

Hours & Additional Compensation

• 40 hours guaranteed per week
• Typical schedules average 60+ hours per week, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours
• Work performed outside Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM is paid at the applicable 1.5x overtime rate
• Per diem, hotel expenses for travel, and layover pay may be available when applicable
• Local and out-of-area emergency assignments may be required

Pre-Employment Requirements

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

Interview Requirement

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.