Equipment Operator - Nationwide Travel

Road & Rail Services; Frankfort (KY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Boot allowance

Company PPE

Training and professional development

Advancement opportunities

Veteran-friendly workplace

Job summary

Road & Rail Services in Frankfort, KY seeks an experienced Heavy Equipment Operator for traveling railroad track maintenance across the United States. Base location is Frankfort, KY, with 100% nationwide travel and no local daily home requirement.

Responsibilities include operating excavators, backhoes and rail-specific equipment, assisting with track construction and maintenance, and ensuring safety around crews and active tracks.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of railroad track maintenance or Maintenance of Way experience.
• Experience operating heavy equipment.
• Experience around railroad tracks or construction activities.
• Valid state driver’s license; willingness to travel nationwide 100%.

Responsibilities

• Operate excavators, backhoes, loaders and other heavy equipment.
• Support track construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects.
• Inspect and report equipment defects and safe operation conditions.
• Work safely around active tracks and crews; follow safety procedures.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Railroad track maintenance

Maintenance of Way

Travel nationwide

Job description

Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad Track Maintenance

Road & Rail Services
Home Base: Frankfort, KY
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Job Type: Full-Time
Travel Requirement: 100% Nationwide Travel
CDL: Preferred, but not required

Put Your Railroad Equipment Experience to Work

Road & Rail Services is hiring an experienced Heavy Equipment Operator to join our traveling railroad track maintenance team. This position is based out of Frankfort, Kentucky, with projects located throughout the United States.

This is a 100% travel position. Employees will travel continuously between project locations and may remain away from home for extended assignments. Candidates looking for a local or home-daily equipment operator position should carefully consider the travel requirements before applying.

We're looking for someone with experience operating heavy equipment in railroad track maintenance, Maintenance of Way (MOW), track construction, or a closely related environment. You'll work alongside track crews using heavy machinery to construct, maintain, repair, and improve railroad infrastructure.

What You'll Do

As a Heavy Equipment Operator, your responsibilities may include:

• Operate excavators, backhoes, loaders, and other heavy construction equipment
• Operate tampers, regulators, and specialized railroad equipment when trained and qualified
• Support railroad track construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance projects
• Assist crews with removing and installing railroad ties, rail, and track components
• Perform grading, excavation, material placement, and site preparation
• Support track surfacing, stabilization, and alignment activities
• Move, load, unload, and stage track materials and equipment
• Work safely around active railroad tracks, equipment, vehicles, and crew members
• Complete equipment inspections before beginning work
• Identify and report equipment defects or mechanical concerns
• Recognize unsafe conditions and communicate concerns to supervision
• Assist with basic equipment care and maintenance
• Follow company, customer, and applicable railroad safety procedures
• Follow applicable Federal Railroad Administration requirements
• Maintain a clean and organized work area
• Wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Experience We're Looking For

Qualified candidates should have:

• Minimum two years of railroad track maintenance or Maintenance of Way experience
• Previous professional experience operating heavy equipment
• Experience working around railroad tracks or railroad construction activities
• Ability to safely operate equipment around ground crews and other machinery
• Understanding of railroad job-site hazards and safe work practices
• Valid state-issued driver's license
• Ability and willingness to travel nationwide 100% of the time
• Ability to remain away from home for extended project assignments
• Dependable attendance and punctuality
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to work independently and follow instructions
• Ability to perform physical work when not operating equipment

Preferred Qualifications

• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) preferred, but not required
• Experience operating tampers, regulators, or other Maintenance of Way equipment
• Previous experience with a Class I railroad, short-line railroad, railroad contractor, or track construction company
• Additional equipment certifications or railroad qualifications

Nationwide Travel & Work Environment

This position requires approximately 100% nationwide travel. Projects may take place throughout the United States, and employees must be prepared for frequent overnight stays and extended periods away from home.

Work is performed primarily outdoors around railroad tracks and heavy machinery. Employees should be prepared to work in heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, humidity, and other changing conditions.

Pay & Benefits

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Road & Rail Services offers eligible full-time employees:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Annual steel-toe boot allowance
• Company-provided PPE
• Training and professional development
• Opportunities for advancement
• Promote-from-within culture
• Veteran-friendly workplace

Take Your Equipment Skills on the Road

Established in 1987, Road & Rail Services provides railroad construction, maintenance, and operational services throughout North America.

We’re looking for an experienced operator who understands that successful railroad construction requires more than knowing how to run a machine. It requires safety awareness, communication, reliability, and the ability to work as part of a traveling crew.

If you have Heavy Equipment Operator and Maintenance of Way experience and are prepared for nationwide travel, apply today to join Road & Rail Services.

CDL preferred, but not required.

Road & Rail Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.