CDL-A Railroad Equipment Operator

Qualdoc; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time benefits

Job summary

Qualdoc in Minneapolis, MN is seeking a Class A CDL Equipment Operator to support railroad emergency response, rerailing and recovery operations. This field-based role combines heavy equipment operation with driving, rigging, and on-site hands-on railroad work.

When not responding to emergencies, you may assist with equipment servicing, maintenance, shop activities and safety training. The position requires 24/7 on-call availability, overtime opportunities, and a commitment to safety.

Qualifications

• Valid Class A CDL with a good driving record.
• Experience in construction or heavy equipment operation.
• Willingness to work 24/7 emergency response, including weekends and holidays.
• Comfort with long hours and physically demanding field work.

Responsibilities

• Perform DOT inspections before/after operating trucks, trailers and equipment.
• Safely move equipment, machinery, and materials between sites.
• Inspect loads and verify permits for oversized/overweight equipment.
• Join daily planning meetings and safety briefings.
• Load, unload, and stage equipment for railroad and rerailing operations.
• Assist with crane assembly, rigging, and operation.

Skills

CDL Class A

Heavy equipment

On-call

Safety training

Job description

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire

Starting Pay: $26.00/hour — higher pay available depending on experience

Benefits: Full-time benefits

Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed weekly + significant overtime

Availability: 24/7 emergency on-call

Position Summary

Seeking a Class A CDL Equipment Operator to support railroad emergency response, rerailing, and recovery operations. This field-based position involves commercial driving, heavy equipment operation, material handling, rigging, and hands-on railroad work.

Driving is only one part of the role. During non-emergency periods, team members may assist with equipment servicing, preventive maintenance, shop activities, and safety training.

Key Duties

• Perform DOT-required inspections before and after operating trucks, trailers, and equipment
• Safely move equipment, machinery, and materials between work locations
• Inspect transported loads and verify required permits for oversized or overweight equipment
• Participate in daily planning meetings and safety briefings
• Load, unload, position, and stage equipment and materials for railroad and rerailing operations
• Assist with:
  • Train rerailing
  • Load adjustment and transfer
  • Railroad car maintenance and repair
  • Track maintenance and repairs
  • New track construction
• Assist with crane assembly, setup, inspection, and operation
• Perform rigging tasks using chains, cables, and winches
• Operate and assist with heavy equipment, including:
  • Cranes
  • Backhoes
  • Bulldozers
  • Excavators
  • Front-end loaders
  • Grapple trucks
  • Dump trucks
  • Rail-bound equipment
  • Tractors
  • Skid-steer loaders
• Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools
• Monitor trucks and equipment for safe and reliable operation
• Complete and document minor equipment and vehicle servicing
• Assist with equipment disassembly, loading, transportation, and post-job cleanup
• Maintain adequate supplies, parts, and components in vehicles and equipment
• Keep work areas, vehicles, tools, and equipment clean and organized
• Follow all applicable safety procedures and requirements
• Provide support to other crews and departments when needed

Qualifications

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a good driving record
• Experience in construction, equipment operation, or physically demanding field work
• Ability to operate heavy equipment safely and effectively
• Ability to successfully complete required qualifications, training, and safety programs
• Must be available for 24/7 emergency response, including weekends and holidays
• Comfortable performing physical field work and working extended hours when necessary

Preferred Experience

3+ years of heavy equipment operating experience, including:

• Backhoes
• Bulldozers
• Excavators
• Front-end loaders
• Grapple trucks
• Rail-bound equipment
• Tractors
• Skid-steer loaders

Equivalent combinations of relevant training and hands-on experience may be considered.

Schedule & Compensation

• 40 hours guaranteed per week
• Typical workweeks average 60+ hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours
• Hours worked outside Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM are paid at the applicable 1.5x overtime rate
• Per diem, hotel expenses for travel, and layover pay may be available when applicable
• 24/7 on-call availability is required for emergency response

Pre-Employment Requirements

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

Interview: 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.