CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator / Laborer

Qualdoc•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

This full-time, direct-hire field role supports equipment transportation, heavy machinery operations, industrial maintenance, and emergency infrastructure projects. It combines commercial driving, heavy equipment operation, and physical labor; driving accounts for approximately 10% of the work. The role is based in Kansas City, Missouri, pays $26.00 per hour to start with higher pay depending on experience, and guarantees 40 hours per week. Average workweeks exceed 60 hours, with some weeks reaching 70 hours. Employees must be available for 24/7 emergency callouts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Hours worked outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM, are paid at time and a half. Additional compensation includes per diem, hotel pay for travel, and applicable layover pay. Full-time benefits are available. The employee performs inspections and maintenance, transports and secures equipment and materials, operates heavy machinery as qualified, and assists with lifting, recovery, infrastructure repair, and construction work. The role requires following safety procedures and may involve working with rigging equipment, hydraulic tools, welding and cutting equipment, electrical tools, and common hand tools. Pre-employment requirements include a drug screening and background check. Candidates must bring steel-toed boots to the interview.

Requirements

Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-A) with a good driving record.
Experience in construction, industrial labor, or another physically demanding role.
Basic mechanical skills, including the ability to perform minor equipment repairs.
Ability to perform manual labor and safely work around heavy machinery.
Willingness to complete required training and safety qualification assessments.
Availability for 24/7 emergency response, including weekends and holidays.

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of heavy equipment operating experience.
Experience operating cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, tractors, skid steers, or rail-bound equipment.
Experience driving vehicles with manual transmissions.
Familiarity with rigging, hydraulic tools, welding, torch cutting, electrical tools, and equipment maintenance.
Equivalent combinations of training and hands-on experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment according to company policies and DOT regulations.
Drive tractor-trailers to and from job sites, inspect transported loads, and verify permits for oversized and overweight equipment.
Participate in safety briefings and coordinate daily work plans with the crew.
Load, unload, stage, secure, and transport equipment and materials for field assignments.
Assist with assembling, inspecting, and operating cranes and other heavy machinery.
Support emergency recovery operations using rigging equipment, chains, cables, and winches.
Operate heavy equipment, including cranes, backhoes, excavators, grapple trucks, dump trucks, bulldozers, front-end loaders, and skid steers, as qualified.
Assist with material transfers, specialized lifting, grading, infrastructure repairs, and construction support.
Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools as required.
Monitor equipment condition and perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs, including basic mechanical tasks such as oil changes.
Document maintenance activities and report complex mechanical issues to appropriate maintenance personnel.
Prepare equipment for transport, restock vehicles with parts and supplies, and organize materials.
Clean and maintain vehicles, machinery, tools, and work areas.
Follow established safety procedures and assist other teams as operational needs require.