CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operator
Quick Summary
Backhoes Bulldozers Excavators Front-end loaders Grapple trucks Tractor equipment Skid-steer loaders Rail-bound equipment Equivalent combinations of equipment training and hand
Location: West Chicago, IL
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Pay: $26.00 per hour; higher pay may be available depending on experience.
Schedule: 40 hours guaranteed per week, with significant overtime opportunities.
Overtime: Time-and-a-half for hours worked outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.
An established field services organization is seeking CDL-A Heavy Equipment Operators to support specialized field projects involving equipment transportation, material handling, heavy machinery operation, and maintenance activities.
This is a hands-on position that combines commercial driving, equipment operation, and physical labor. Driving accounts for approximately 10% of the job, with the majority of time spent operating machinery, assisting with field projects, and handling equipment and materials.
The ideal candidate has a Class A CDL, experience operating construction equipment, and the flexibility to respond to emergency assignments on short notice.
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Transport heavy equipment, machinery, and materials to and from job sites using tractor-trailers.
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Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in accordance with company policies and DOT regulations.
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Inspect loads and verify permits for overweight and oversized equipment transportation.
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Load, unload, move, and position equipment and materials at job sites.
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Operate heavy machinery, including cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, and excavators, when qualified.
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Assist with equipment assembly, inspections, rigging, and lifting operations using chains, cables, and winches.
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Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools to complete assigned work.
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Support specialty lifting, material transfers, equipment installation, site preparation, grading, and other field operations.
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Participate in daily safety briefings and coordinate with team members to complete assignments efficiently.
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Monitor vehicles and equipment to maintain operational readiness and minimize downtime.
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Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle maintenance, referring major repairs to the Shop Foreman or Shop Manager.
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Assist with equipment disassembly, loading, and transportation after project completion.
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Restock vehicles with necessary parts, supplies, and equipment for future assignments.
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Maintain clean, organized work areas, vehicles, and equipment.
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Follow all safety procedures and assist other departments as needed.
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Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL-A) with a good driving record.
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Experience in construction, equipment operation, general labor, or a similar physically demanding role.
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Ability to operate heavy equipment and perform hands-on field work.
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Ability to pass required safety training and qualification programs.
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Strong awareness of workplace safety and surroundings when operating machinery.
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Willingness to work extended hours and respond to emergency assignments.
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Must be available 24/7, including weekends and holidays, for emergency service calls.
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3+ years of experience operating heavy equipment, including:
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Backhoes
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Bulldozers
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Excavators
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Front-end loaders
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Grapple trucks
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Tractor equipment
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Skid-steer loaders
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Rail-bound equipment
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Equivalent combinations of equipment training and hands-on experience will also be considered.
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Experience with rigging, hydraulic tools, welding, cutting torches, and general mechanical tools is beneficial.
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40 hours guaranteed per week.
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Average workweek of approximately 60 hours, with some weeks reaching 70 hours.
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Significant overtime opportunities.
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24/7 on-call availability for emergency assignments.
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Work may involve overnight travel and assignments outside the local area.
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During downtime between emergency assignments, employees assist with shop safety training, equipment inspections, and preventive maintenance (PMs).
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Physically demanding work in various weather conditions.
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Time-and-a-half for hours worked outside Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.
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Per diem for qualifying travel assignments.
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Hotel accommodations/pay for out-of-town assignments.
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Layover pay when applicable.
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Full-time employee benefits.
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Pre-employment drug screening.
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Background check.
Location & Eligibility
About this job
- Pay per year
- ≈ $54,080 a year
- 9% below the $59,384 median for Heavy Equipment Operator jobs on Jobera (200 salaries).
- Who can apply
- United States
- Posted
- Today
Listing Details
- Posted
- November 4, 2026
- First seen
- November 4, 2026
- Last seen
- November 4, 2026
Posting Health
- Days active
- 0
- Repost count
- 1
- Trust Level
- 72%
- Scored at
- November 4, 2026
Signal breakdown
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