AI summary
This role involves operating heavy equipment and supporting railroad recovery efforts, including transporting equipment, rerailing, and responding to emergencies.
Job Description
CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad Recovery
Location: Allentown, PA | Regional Travel Required
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00/hour, higher depending on experience
Benefits: Full benefits package, overtime, per diem, hotel pay for travel, and layover pay when applicable
Job Overview
We are hiring a CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator to support railroad recovery, derailment response, and track-related operations. This hands-on field position involves transporting equipment, operating construction machinery, and assisting with rerailing, load transfers, railroad car repairs, and track maintenance or construction.
Driving makes up approximately 10% of the job. Operators must be comfortable performing physical labor, operating heavy equipment, traveling regionally, and responding to emergencies on call 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
Responsibilities
Schedule & Compensation
Key Responsibilities
- Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment according to company policies and DOT regulations.
- Transport equipment and materials to and from job sites, inspect loads, and verify permits for oversized or overweight loads.
- Participate in daily work planning and safety briefings.
- Load, unload, stage, and secure equipment and materials for rerailing, load adjustment and transfer, track maintenance, repairs, and new construction.
- Assist with crane assembly, inspections, operation, and disassembly as needed.
- Operate heavy equipment such as cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, dump trucks, skid steers, and rail-bound equipment when qualified.
- Assist with rerailing operations and use chains, cables, rigging, and winches safely.
- Support railroad car maintenance and repair, load transfers, grading, track work, and railroad construction activities.
- Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools as needed.
- Monitor vehicles and equipment for safe operation and readiness, perform and document minor maintenance, and report complex repairs to the shop manager or foreman.
- Prepare equipment and vehicles for future assignments by restocking parts and supplies and organizing materials.
- Clean job sites and maintain vehicles, equipment, tools, and work areas.
- Follow all safety procedures and assist other departments as needed to meet operational requirements.
- Complete safety training and preventive maintenance during downtime between emergency assignments.
Preferred Experience
- Three or more years of heavy equipment operating experience, including backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, or skid-steer loaders.
- Experience in railroad rerailing, derailment recovery, track maintenance, or related construction work is an advantage.
- Equivalent combinations of training and experience may be considered.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Pre-employment drug screening.
- Background check.
Interview Requirement: Candidates must bring steel-toed boots to the interview.
About the job
- Posted on
- Oct 13, 2026
- Job type
- Full-time
- Location
- Allentown, PAOn-site
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