CDL-A Railroad Equipment Operator

Qualdoc; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

Qualdoc is seeking a Class A CDL operator for railroad field operations in Allentown, PA. This hands-on role includes equipment transport, heavy operation, track work, and emergency response support. Driving is one part of a busy field environment with rigging and construction tasks.

You’ll assist in planning, safety briefings, and site setup, operating cranes, backhoes, and other rail-bound machinery when qualified. Competitive pay starts at $26/hour with benefits and travel opportunities.

Qualifications

• CDL-A required with a valid license.
• Clean driving record and ability to pass checks.
• Experience in construction or field labor is preferred.
• Willingness to respond to emergency calls 24/7, including weekends.
• Able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Perform DOT pre- and post-trip inspections of trucks and equipment.
• Transport machinery to/from sites and verify loads and permits.
• Load, unload, position and secure equipment and materials.
• Participate in job planning and daily safety briefings.
• Assist with railroad re-railing, track maintenance, and new construction.
• Operate equipment when qualified (cranes, backhoes, tractors, etc.).
• Perform rigging using chains, cables, and winches.
• Use hydraulic tools, welding/cutting torches, and hand tools.
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized work areas.

Skills

CDL-A

Good driving record

Physically demanding role

Emergency response readiness

Outdoor work capability

Tools

Cranes

Backhoes

Grapple trucks

Dump trucks

Excavators

Bulldozers

Front-end loaders

Rail-bound equipment

Tractors

Skid-steer loaders

Job description

Location

Allentown, PA | Regional Travel

Job Type

Full-Time | Direct Hire

Starting Pay

$26.00/hour, with higher pay available based on experience

Benefits

Full benefits package

Position Overview

Seeking a Class A CDL operator for railroad field operations and emergency response work. This is a hands‑on position involving equipment transportation, heavy equipment operation, railroad recovery, track work, and physical field support.

Driving is only part of the role. Operators should be comfortable working with construction equipment, tools, rigging, and other crew members in a fast‑paced field environment.

What You'll Do

• Complete DOT-required pre- and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment
• Transport machinery and materials to and from work sites and verify loads and permits
• Load, unload, position, and secure equipment and materials
• Participate in job planning and daily safety briefings
• Support railroad re-railing, load transfers, track maintenance, repairs, and new construction
• Assist with crane and equipment setup, inspections, assembly, and operation
• Perform rigging activities using chains, cables, and winches
• Operate heavy equipment when qualified, including:
• Cranes
• Backhoes
• Grapple trucks
• Dump trucks
• Excavators
• Bulldozers
• Front-end loaders
• Rail-bound equipment
• Tractors
• Skid-steer loaders
• Use hydraulic tools, welding and cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools
• Monitor equipment and vehicles for safe, reliable operation
• Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle service
• Assist with equipment disassembly, loading, transportation, and site cleanup
• Restock vehicles and equipment with parts, supplies, and components
• Sort scrap materials and place them in designated areas
• Maintain clean, organized, and job-ready vehicles, equipment, and work areas
• Support other departments or work groups when needed
• Follow all required safety procedures and maintain quality standards

Required Qualifications

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL-A)
• Good driving record
• Experience in construction, field labor, or another physically demanding role
• Ability to complete required qualification, training, and safety programs
• Willingness to respond to emergency service calls 24/7, including weekends and holidays
• Ability to work in a physically demanding outdoor environment

Preferred Experience

3+ years of heavy equipment operation involving equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail‑bound equipment, tractors, or skid‑steer loaders.

Equivalent combinations of training and experience may be considered.

Schedule & Compensation

• 40 hours guaranteed per week
• Average 60+ hours per week, with significant overtime
• Hours worked outside Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM are paid at 1.5x overtime
• 24/7 on-call emergency response
• Per diem
• Hotel accommodations/pay for qualifying travel
• Layover pay when applicable
• Full benefits package

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Drug screening
• Background check

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.