Grapple Operator
Northern Plains Railroad & Rail Services
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Posted on Aug 19, 2025
About This Role
Northern Plains Service, Inc. is seeking a skilled and dependable Grapple Operator to join our Maintenance & Repair team. This role involves operating tractor trailers and heavy trucks to transport materials and equipment across various job sites. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with manual labor, equipment handling, and working in diverse weather conditions. If you’re looking for a hands-on position with travel opportunities and a dynamic work environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Qualifications
- Valid Class A CDL (unrestricted).
- Ability to obtain a DOT medical card.
- Minimum 1 year of experience driving a semi-truck.
- GED or higher education.
- Insurable driving record per company standards.
Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain tractor trailers and heavy trucks
- Load, transport, and unload materials and equipment
- Ability to travel. Overtime.
- Assist with track restoration, maintenance, and construction
Skills
This role requires attention to detail and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Candidates should be comfortable performing manual labor, operating heavy equipment, and navigating various terrains and weather conditions. Effective communication and a commitment to safety are essential.
For you:
- Day 1 Benefits
- 16 PTO days annually
- Competitive pay based on experience
- while traveling overnight company paid hotel room, nightly per diem & travel in company vehicle.
Interested? See full description below.
Company: Northern Plains Service, Inc.
Business Unit: Complete Track Works
Department: Maintenance & Repair
Travel: Regional 25% and Production 80+ %
Schedule: Varies. M-F - 07:00-15:30 with additional hours as necessary.
Summary:
The Grapple Operator position operates tractor trailers, medium and heavy trucks, load, transport, and unload materials, equipment, and supplies for the company.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities are, but are not limited to:
- Operate tractor trailers and medium and heavy trucks. Load, transport, and unload materials, equipment, and supplies.
- Maintain truck with accurate and up to date logbooks in compliance with DOT regulations and guidelines.
- Perform manual labor consisting of bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and lifting while working at ground level.
- Assist in the restoration, renewal, maintenance, and new construction of track structures as needed.
- Ability to travel. Overtime.
- Properly utilizes company vehicle; operates in compliance with DMV rules and regulations.
- Participates in U.S. Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing program.
- Performs basic safety and operational vehicle inspections before and after each trip.
- Performs daily / routine maintenance and / or mechanical repairs of assigned truck as skill and time allows.
- Operates a variety of equipment to move them on, properly secure, and remove them off the trailer at destinations.
- Demonstrate basic equipment operation to customers as required.
- Uses road maps for efficient and timely transportation.
- Maintains proper permits, bills of landing, invoices, and other forms to account for pick up and deliveries.
- Works flexible schedule to meet the needs of the Company and the customer.
- Will perform work on Northern Plains Railroad as directed.
Competencies:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Must possess and maintain a current North Dakota Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL). Health card required.
- Able to operate heavy equipment or possess comprehensive skills to learn.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the physical demands listed below:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform on uneven or slippery surfaces, platforms, ladders, and equipment in all weather and temperature conditions. Most of the day could be spent standing on foot. Eye/hand coordination, hand/feet dexterity and grasping hand tools, materials & equipment is required. The employee is frequently required to perform manual labor & physical activities that require considerable use of the whole body, such as standing and lifting from various levels.
- Additional physical demands are listed in the chart below.
- May require travel to various facilities and provide additional services.
Environmental:
- Continuous: Must wear appropriate safety equipment such as safety glasses, hard hats, safety footwear, and hearing protection as required by the company. Exposed to noise.
- Frequent: Exposure to smoke, dust, fumes, odors, grease, oil. Works outdoors in hot and cold temperatures and in all extreme weather conditions. Exposed to vibrations, works with moving machinery, works at heights.
- Occasional: Exposure to electrical hazards, works in cramped quarters, works inside, chemicals, stand on concrete, shift work, walks on uneven or slippery surface, wet conditions, works with others & alone, paperwork.
- Rare: Works with toxic materials.
Education and Training:
- GED or higher.
- 1 years’ experience driving a semi-truck.
- Class A unrestricted CDL Required.
- Ability to obtain a DOT medical card required.
- Must have and maintain an insurable driving status which includes but is not limited to NPRS driver provisions.
Requirements of Joining Our Team:
Our comprehensive pre-employment process ensures the well-being and integrity of our team. To join our organization, candidates are required to:
1. Pass a mandatory drug test to maintain a drug-free workplace. Random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing may also be required throughout employment.
2. Undergo a thorough physical examination to ensure the requirements of the position can be met.
3. Provide professional references to validate qualifications and character.
4. Complete a comprehensive background check to confirm suitability for the position.
We value transparency and the safety of our employees and customers, and these steps are essential in upholding our commitment to excellence.
LIFT 2 - Physical Demands Checklist
* Never (N) = Not at all * Rarely (R) = 1-5% * Occasionally (O) = 6-33% * Frequently (F) = 34-66% * Continuously (C) = 67-100%
TASKS | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Sitting |
|
| X |
|
|
|
|
Standing |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Walking Distance: 600 ft |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Bending/Stooping: 2 min |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Sitting while twisting & reaching above shoulder level |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Crawling 10 ft |
| X |
|
|
|
|
|
Squatting: 10 reps |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Climbing Stairs: YMCA Step Test |
|
| X |
|
| X | NOT Pass or Fail |
Climbing Ladder: 30 rungs |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Balancing CTSIB-M test |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Reaching- Forward |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Reaching- Overhead arm’s length |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
TASKS Continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Reaching Low Level |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Static Push/Pull: Static push force 50# at shoulder level |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Push/Pull: 90# force at waist level, simulate throw a switch |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Shoveling |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Grip Strength min. 50# |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Gross & Fine coordination |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Lift / Carry |
|
|
|
|
|
| Floor to Waist & Bilateral Carry |
<10# |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
11-24 # |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
25-34 # |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
35-50 # |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Lift 50 # Waist to Crown |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working around moving machinery, parts & equipment |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Working outside & extreme weather conditions |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Exposure to heat /humidity |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Exposure to cold |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Using power equipment |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Slippery surfaces |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Noise |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Works with others, alone, paperwork |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Dust, Smoke, Odors, Fumes, Grease, Oil |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Hearing |
|
|
|
| X | X | Hearing acuity-MEC/Medical Examiner's Certificate DOT vs FRA-DOT vs OSHA |
Speech |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Vision |
|
|
|
| X | X | Vision acuity-MEC/Medical Examiner's Certificate DOT vs FRA-DOT vs Standard |
Standard Vision |
|
|
|
| X | X | Standard Vision-Snellen/Ishihara/Perimetry |
Works at heights |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
TASKS (Lift/Carry) Continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Electrical hazards |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Uneven surfaces |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Inhalation Exposure |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Cramped quarters |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Hazardous Material |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Chemical Exposure |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Vibration |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be
required in this position. There may be unplanned activities and other duties assigned. This Job Description may change at any
time declared by Management.
NPRS is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected under local, state, or federal statute, ordinance, or regulation. NPRS is a tradename used by Northern Plains Railroad, Inc. (NPR), Northern Plains Services, Inc. (NPS), and All Rail, Inc. (All Rail).
