Apprentice Operator Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Hi-Rail Operator
Pay Rate Type: Non-exempt
Creation Date/Revision Date: 7/25/25
Job Summary:
The Hi-Rail Operator is responsible for assisting in the oversight of daily crew operations while operating various types of machinery to support vegetation maintenance and clearance along the railroad track. This role identifies safety hazards and helps perform basic maintenance to ensure equipment is within working order to support business needs.
Essential Job Duties:

• Operates Hi-Rail Equipment as needed and is responsible for the planning of daily work.
• Promotes and maintains good customer and public relations through effective completion of assigned work and the appropriate behavior of employees on the crew.
• Maintains accurate records and reports related to permission/notification from customer/homeowner to supervisor and crew personnel in appropriate tracking systems.
• Sets up warning signs, barriers, flags, relays hand-signals, directs traffic and other applicable traffic control devices to protect employees and members of the public from hazards in and around the work area. Cooperates with property owner, customer, and emergency personnel when blocking streets or driveways.
• Loads and unloads vehicles and equipment from a trailer. Responsible for proper load securement in accordance with company policies, approved work methods and FMCSA regulations.
• Loads vehicles and equipment with manageable size limbs and logs not suited for wood chipping.
• In emergency situations, determines proper action to be taken to eliminate hazards to life and property, if necessary, to expedite the restoration of service by calling out crew personnel and performing other activities connected with emergency work.
• Works around hazardous equipment.
• Conducts pre-inspection of work area to identify potential hazards.
• Adheres to and helps educate less experienced employees on company policies, on-the-job safety practices, approved work methods and OSHA and FRA regulations.
• Staging and cleaning up of tools and equipment at the job site. Maintains a neat and orderly work area.
• Conducts vehicle and equipment inspections to ensure proper working conditions. Conducts routine maintenance on company vehicles, equipment and tools. Reports specialized vehicle maintenance or equipment needs to Supervisor.
• May be required to be on duty and travel outside of regular regional assignment. Assists with contacting and coordinating the crew's response to such work and responsible for determining proper steps necessary to eliminate hazards and trim/remove trees while onsite during emergency response.
• Support, actively participate, and act in accordance with Wright's culture of safety and employee ownership.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; maintain knowledge of and follow all company policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.

Other Duties:

• Drives and operates vehicles and equipment as assigned.

Supervisory Duties:
Knowledge, Skills & Ability Requirements:

• Possess excellent leadership skills and be able to handle stressful situations along with being able to multi-task.
• Ability to operate heavy machinery such as skid steers, excavators, stub grinder, feller-buncher, etc.
• Knowledge of trees, including identification, growth habits and arboricultural techniques specific to trimming, pruning, repairing, maintaining and removing, along railroad track.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills focused on rapport-building, listening, questioning and patience. Ability to communicate effectively with the general public, customers and employees.
• Knowledge and understanding of the American National Standards for Tree Care Operations (ANSI Z133.1-current version.
• Ability to adhere to and educate on company and industry safety requirements.
• Ability to learn quickly and to follow instructions accurately.
• Must be able to communicate with others and represent Wright Tree Service in a professional manner.
• Must be able to write, read, and comprehend written and verbal job instructions/information.
• Ability to recognize poisonous plants and take proper safeguard against them.
• Must be able to wear necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
• Ability to work long hours and overtime during emergencies (including holidays, weekends, storm work) and will be subject to call-out work.
• Ability to operate and service all required tools and equipment.
• Ability to work both independently and in a group.

Education, Certification & Experience Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent preferred but not required.
• Has a minimum of 4 years' experience operating heavy equipment successfully, preferably on Hi-Rail track.
• Must have valid First-Aid and CPR cards or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Excavator experience preferred but not required.

Other Preferred Requirements:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a commercial driver's license (dependent upon Division and utility/contract requirements) and DOT medical card in accordance with FMCSA regulations.
• Drive a vehicle with an attached chipper or other trailing unit to, from or within the work area.
• Ability to obtain and maintain eRailSafe qualification.

Language Requirements (read, write, speak):
English - ☒ Read, ☒ Write, ☒ Speak
Spanish - ☐ Read, ☐ Write, ☐ Speak
Other Language _________________ - ☐ Read, ☐ Write, ☐ Speak
Travel Requirements:
☐No-Seldom
☐Yes-Occasional (up to 5%)
☐Yes-Moderate (5% to 25%)
☐Yes-Substantial (25% to 50%)
☒Yes-Extensive (greater than 50%)
Physical Characteristics:

• Effective bending, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Occasionally reach upward and downward.
• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 50 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Possesses the ability to lift, move, and maneuver up to 50 pounds on an infrequent basis and up to 30 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Must be able to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned or make general observations of the community; close visual acuity, such as reading a computer screen, reading printed material, inspection of small defects, and using measurement devices.
• Ability to enter and exit vehicles and equipment numerous times per day.

Environmental Factors:

• Routine exposure to indoor and outdoor working conditions.
• Routine exposure to weather, climate and temperature, such as rain, heat, sun, cold, snow.
• Routine exposure to nature, such as irritating plants, biting or stinging insects, dust, etc; position works outdoor on rugged terrain.
• Routine exposure to noise, vibration, working hazards such as proximity to moving parts, mechanical equipment, moving vehicles, gasoline powered equipment, electrical current, heights, exposure to heat, exposure to chemicals, work in close quarters, narrow aisles or passageways, communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, cleaning chemicals, dust, odors, and a variety of pets.

COMPANY STATEMENTS (CAN Only):
Job Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Drug & Alcohol-Free Workplace: To help ensure a safe, healthy, and productive work environment for our employees and others, protect Wright Service Corp. property, and ensure efficient operations, the Wright Service Corp. has adopted a policy of maintaining a workplace free of unlawful or unauthorized drugs and alcohol.
COMPANY STATEMENTS (U.S. Only):
Job Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Equal Employment Opportunities: Wright Service Corp. respects diversity, and we are an inclusive and equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical and mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation. We are dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.
Reasonable Accommodation: Wright Service Corp. is committed to complying with applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, or regulations governing reasonable accommodations to individuals, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To that end, as required by applicable law, we will make a reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees who have requested an accommodation or for whom we have notice may require such an accommodation, without regard to any protected classifications, related to an individual's: (i) disability, meaning any physical, medical, mental, or psychological impairment, or a history or record of such impairment; (ii) sincerely held religious beliefs and practices; (iii) needs related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; and/or (iv) any other reason required by applicable law, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship.
At-Will Employment: Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, rule, or regulation, employment with Wright Service Corp. is "at will." This means that an employee's employment may be terminated at any time by either the employee or Wright Service Corp., for any or no reason, with or without cause or advance notice. No supervisor or Wright Service Corp. personnel other than the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Executive Officer's designee has any authority to enter into a contract of employment, oral, written or otherwise, express or implied, that changes or alters the at-will employment relationship. Any such agreement must be in writing signed by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Executive Officer's designee.
Drug & Alcohol-Free Workplace: To help ensure a safe, healthy, and productive work environment for our employees and others, protect Wright Service Corp. property, and ensure efficient operations, the Wright Service Corp. has adopted a policy of maintaining a workplace free of unlawful or unauthorized drugs and alcohol.
Wright Tree Service employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
https://www.wrighttree.com/privacy-policy/