Heavy Equipment Operator - Sauget / Cahokia, IL

Heavy Equipment Operator - Sauget / Cahokia, IL

Job Location: Sauget, IL Facility-Sauget-62201. Office Location: Onsite. Employment Type: Hourly. Job Type: Full Time.

Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference

Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all or the same team. One Watco.

Here’s what you can expect from Watco:

Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek

Competitive compensation and benefits

Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers

Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco’s Safe Performance Center

Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University

Career advancement opportunities

Hourly Pay: $20.00 - $27.00 based on experience

Schedule: 3 days on 2 days off rotating M-\F every other weekend.

Watco moves any commodity, and at this site, we handle primarily bulk and break-bulk products such as coal, pet coke, and cement as well as liquid chemicals. Experience operating heavy equipment (skid steer, front end loader, etc.) is preferred but not a requirement for this position.

Job Summary

The Heavy Equipment Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of several types of heavy machinery to support material handling, loading, unloading, and site operations. This role requires adherence to all applicable safety regulations, operating procedures, and company standards, while maintaining elevated levels of productivity. Operators must be able to communicate clearly with team members, supervisors, and customers to ensure the safe, successful execution of daily tasks. The position may involve rotating shifts and working in extreme weather conditions. This Heavy Equipment Operator description is general and illustrative of the type of duties required for this position. This description is not all inclusive and is not meant to be a detailed description of each duty performed by the incumbent.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operate and maintain heavy rail-related machinery including but not limited to tampers, ballast regulators, forklifts, backhoes, compact track or wheel loaders, and brush cutters in a safe and efficient manner

Perform routine equipment inspections and maintain accurate and consistent inspection records using handwritten and electronic formats

Maintain safe work practices, monitor worksite safety, and comply with all State, Federal, Customer, Company and Federal Railroad Administration standards, rules, and regulations

Read and interpret material lists, safety manuals, load charts, inventory, gauges, schematics, maintenance manuals, safety rules, material movement, and operational instructions

Inspect, load, unload, distribute, maintain, install, and repair track materials including rail, cross ties, switch ties, ballast, switch stands and turnouts

Assist with surfacing, aligning, gauging, and alignment of track to ensure proper structure, geometry and stability

Perform vegetation control, snow and debris removal from tracks, switches, crossings, and walkways to maintain safe operational integrity

Support the construction, maintenance, and repair of road crossings, bridges, culverts, tunnels, and other rail infrastructure with heavy machinery, hand tools, and manual labor

Troubleshoot and perform minor equipment repairs in the field; communicate complex mechanical issues to managers or qualified maintenance personnel

Adhere to safety procedures including the use of required personal protective equipment, fall protection and other devices in compliance with federal, state, and company regulations

Perform inspections and document routine maintenance records of track infrastructure defects and repair, ensuring compliance with track authority guidelines

Respond promptly and appropriately to incidents, accidents, or emergency calls as needed

Communicate clearly and professionally and collaborate with team members, supervisors, other department managers, and dispatch via radio and in person

Ensure accurate and timely documentation of consumables, inventory, fuel, and material usage

Participating in training and demonstrate proficiency in job-specific tasks within a designated onboarding period

Demonstrate consistent attendance, punctuality, and flexibility to work overtime, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays as required

Work efficiently in both supervised and unsupervised environments

Perform other duties as assigned or required

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Must be able to pass and obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as…