Surfacing Crew Machine Operator Trainee
Northern Plains Railroad & Rail Services
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Posted on Apr 14, 2026
Summary
Northern Plains Services is hiring a Surfacing Crew Machine Operator Trainee to join our track maintenance team. This is a hands‑on, 8‑month training position designed to develop future tamper and ballast regulator operators. Trainees will work alongside experienced operators while learning to safely operate on‑track and heavy construction equipment in a fast‑paced, outdoor environment.
Responsibilities
- Assist with the setup, operation, and maintenance of heavy construction and on‑track equipment
- Learn to operate tampers, ballast regulators, and other surfacing machinery safely and efficiently
- Support track rehabilitation, construction, and maintenance activities
- Follow all safety rules, procedures, and FRA standards while working with the crew
Qualifications
- GED or high school diploma
- 1 year experience operating heavy equipment in a construction environment or similar.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a DOT medical card.
- Willingness to travel extensively (90%+) and work outdoors in all conditions
Interested? Please see full job description below!
Company: Northern Plains Services, Inc.
Business Unit: Complete Track Works
Department: Construction
Travel: Required – 80%+, overnight.
Schedule: 7:00am – 4:30pm with additional hours as required
Summary:
The Surfacing Crew Machine Operator Trainee is an 8-month trainee position responsible for safely operating heavy construction equipment and on-track equipment, including moving, loading, and unloading materials and supporting machinery setup and attachments. The role provides hands-on training under experienced Ballast Regulator and Tamper Operators to achieve full proficiency and certification.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities are. but are not limited to:
- Sets up heavy construction and On-track equipment.
- Operates equipment for the purpose it is intended for.
- Operates equipment to move, load, or unload material.
- Operates On-track equipment to rehabilitate, construct, or install railroad track.
- Installs equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures.
- Signals directions or warnings to coworkers.
- Manage the distribution of ballast, by roto dump, front end loader, or by using rail car.
- Ability to run a tamper, regulator and communicate with other operators to establish work requirements and meet precise job specifications.
- Operates equipment in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with governing regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Must be able to trouble shoot and/or diagnose machine problems to ensure steady production in the field.
- Performs equipment safety and general maintenance checks.
- Coordinates machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
- Repairs and maintains equipment, communicating additional repairs to mechanics when necessary.
- Take actions to avoid potential hazards and obstructions, such as utilities, other equipment, other workers, structural objects, and through traffic.
- Inspect and recognize any deviation from FRA track safety standards part 213.
- Works with Truck drivers loads and offloads equipment as it arrives and exits project site.
- Understands and executes instructions, plans, and reads diagrams to establish work requirements.
- Utilizes a transit for taking accurate track measurements.
- Keeps records of material and equipment usage, problems encountered, and daily progress logs.
- Must be able to work alone in remote locations independently and with minimum supervision.
- Perform manual labor consisting of crouching, bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and lifting while working at ground level.
- Will perform work on Northern Plains Railroad as directed.
Competencies:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Minimum of one year experience operating heavy equipment in a construction environment.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to learn to operate a production tamper, ballast regulator and various types of on-track and off track equipment.
- Experience using hand tools, power tools and hydraulic equipment.
- Knowledge of and ability to adhere to safety requirements and procedures.
- Ability to work on their own in remote locations independently.
- Willingness to wear the proper and required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as hard hat, steel toed boots, eye and hearing protection and face shields and other PPE required for specific tasks.
- Basic internet and computer or other handheld device skills needed for payroll reports, equipment reports, safety and equipment reports, and email correspondence.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodation may be made 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, and oil. Works outdoors in hot and cold temperatures and in all extreme weather conditions. Exposed to vibrations. Works with moving machinery and mechanical parts, works at heights.
- Occasional: Exposure to electrical hazards, works in cramped quarters, works inside, works with chemicals, stands 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 High School Diploma.
- Valid Driver’s License Required
- Must have or be able to obtain a valid DOT (Department of Transportation) Medical Certificate (Med Card).
- Class A non-tractor trailer CLD Preferred
- 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 |
|
TASKS continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Reaching- Forward |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Reaching- Overhead arm’s length |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
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 |
TASKS continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Standard Vision |
|
|
|
| X | X | Standard Vision-Snellen/Ishihara/Perimetry |
Works at heights |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
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 as 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).
