Track Loader Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $85,363.20 - $87,859.20 Annually
Location : Maintenance of Way (MOW), Oceanside, CA, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: FY2027-00015
Department: Rail Operations Division
Division: MAINTENANCE OF WAY
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Under the direction of the Maintenance of Way Supervisor this position performs maintenance activities within the railroad right-of-way enabling safe and efficient movement of trains along the San Diego and Escondido Subdivisions. This is a bargained position represented by the Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters (Carpenters) Union.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This position involves the safe and efficient operation of various types of construction equipment including but not limited to loaders, backhoes, skid steers, excavators, truck cranes, bulldozers, haul trucks, water trucks, railroad track equipment, on track equipment tampers, regulators, track stabilizers, tie cranes, tie inserters, spike pullers, spike drivers, and speed swings as well as other equipment. When not operating equipment, incumbents also perform physical labor in the maintenance, repair, and modification of tracks system wide. This class is distinguished from the Track Maintainer that the Heavy Equipment Operator I performs physical labor incidental to the primary function of equipment operation.
This position is designated as Safety-Sensitive in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and will participate in a random testing pool under those guidelines.
Supervision Received and Exercised
This position reports to the Maintenance of Way Supervisor and has no direct supervisory responsibility. This position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert knowledge and as a vital member of the maintenance of way team.
Working Conditions
Normal working conditions for this position are in an operational field setting. Individuals in this position must be able to work safely to prevent on-the-job accidents and injuries, wear protective equipment including hearing protection, safety-toe boots, safety glasses and other Personal Protective Equipment items as assigned by NCTD.
The railroad operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This position may be subject to shift changes and overtime. They must be able to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Work may include exposure to inclement weather conditions.
Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultants' facilities, and other locations as required.
Examples of Duties
Essential Functions
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Safely and effectively operate various types of equipment such as loaders, backhoes, skid steers, excavators, truck cranes, bulldozers, haul trucks, water trucks, railroad track equipment, on track equipment tampers, regulators, track stabilizers, tie cranes, tie inserters, spike pullers, spike drivers., and speed swings.
• Inspects and maintains trucks and equipment daily including but not limited to any attached apparatuses such as boom, hi-rail gear, tools, etc.
• Perform inspection, maintenance, and repair on related equipment used in Maintenance of Way activities, as necessary.
• Follow proper safety and housekeeping procedures pertaining to the job and employees under management.
• Operates equipment safely and efficiently in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Performs daily equipment safety and maintenance checks, making emergency adjustments as necessary, in accordance with regulatory requirements and NCTD policies, and documentation per daily inspection and repairs reports as requested by company management.
• Takes actions to avoid potential hazards and obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, and falling objects, this includes Underground Service Alert (USA) mark outs.
• Performs mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic repairs in the field and/or the shop.
• Communicates with direct supervisor on daily production, safety issues, and mechanical repairs.
• Drives machines onto truck trailers.
• Identifies and reports material and equipment usage and problems.
• Identifies parts/material needs and process requests in accordance with NCTD policy and procedures.
• Repair and rebuild railroad track using hand tools and specialized equipment. Specific duties will include tasks such as removing, and replacing ties, pulling and driving spikes, shoveling rock ballast, loading, and unloading equipment and material, repairing, and replacing rail, right of way clearing and cleaning, removing and replacing rail anchors and other various maintenance tasks as may be assigned.
• Perform railroad track maintenance, repair, and installation.
• Handle, unload and move track materials and equipment from rail cars, carts, or trucks.
• Maintain track beds by cutting vegetation and brush when needed, and sweeping, picking, and digging dust from movable track parts.
• Inspect, clear, and maintain drainage facilities.
• Remove and replace ballast; tamp ballast; unload or assist in unloading ballast from ballast cars.
• Safely and effectively operate various types of tools and equipment such as hammers, jacks, and other mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic tools.
• Observe and inspect the condition of the railroad tracks, track beds and right-of-way for problems or defects per the Federal Railroad Administration and California Public Utilities Commission regulations. Through visual inspections identify broken rails, defective switches, and signals, deteriorating track bed, track obstructions and weather-related problems; check switch points; observe right-of-way and passing trains for shifted loads and spillage.
• Must be willing and able to work around large equipment such as railcars, locomotives cranes, off track equipment and on on-track equipment.
• Understand and follow NCTD and industry safety rules, practices, and procedures.
• Wear prescribed safety apparel and personal protective equipment.
• Complete written forms and reports as required.
• Perform flagging duties as may be required.
• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety and maintenance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education/Experience

• High School diploma or GED required. Technical school or apprenticeship program in related field is preferred.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills to deliver information to coworker(s) and supervisor(s)
• Experience reading and understanding instructions (examples may include: operating and safety rules, bulletins, special instructions, and federal regulatory documents)
• Previous operation of on track equipment preferred.
• One (1) year Railroad Maintenance of Way work experience preferred.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools and hydraulic equipment.

A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position may be considered.
Certificates/Licenses

• Possess and maintain a California driver's license, Class C, with less than 6 points in the prior 36 month period and no DUI's in the prior 7 year period.
• Maintain compliance with the District's policy regarding Conflict of Interest and Ethics.
• Must be able to become GCOR Qualified on NCTD owned railroad properties.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain annual access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
• Must be able to become RWP Qualified on NCTD owned railroad properties.
• Must be able to become qualified on territory and pass physical characteristics examinations.
• Must be able to become CFR 213 qualified.

General Requirements

• Must be capable of performing physically strenuous work on a continuous basis.
• Must be able to read and comprehend regulations and instructions as well as possess good verbal communication skills.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, supervisors and/or customers and effectively handle conflict situations.
• Ability to maintain alertness, awareness, and vigilance.

Supplemental Information
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee must:

• Be able to hear, see, and communicate verbally to exchange information.
• Physically travel between District locations and other destinations.
• Have flexibility sufficient for track maintenance tasks such as flexing to pick up tie plates.
• Be able to work in hazardous conditions and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right of way and have balance sufficient to walk on ballast.
• Capable of standing for more than half of each workday with periodic breaks.
• May be subject to fumes, odors, dust, gases, chemicals.
• Must be able to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand.
• Walk extensively on uneven surfaces.
• Capable of occasional climbing on ladders.
• Good eye-hand coordination; and bilateral dexterity.
• Continuous bending, stooping, and kneeling are required for this position.
• Lift/carry and push/pull equipment and other objects weighing 25 lbs. (frequently), 50 lbs. (occasionally), and 100 lbs. (infrequently).
• Must be willing to work at heights of 20 feet or more above the ground if it is required.

Machines / Tools / Equipment

• Ability to operate heavy equipment and trucks, including but not limited to: loaders, backhoes, skid steers, excavators, truck cranes, bulldozers, haul trucks, water trucks, railroad track equipment, on track equipment tampers, regulators, track stabilizers, tie cranes, tie inserters, spike pullers, spike drivers., and speed swings.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax and scanner machine, copy machine, and telephone.
• Ability to use two-way radios.
• Ability to carry and operate a mobile device.

Application Information: All applicants must complete and submit an online application at . A job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check. The hourly rate of pay for this position is $41.04 per the Carpenters' Union Agreement. NCTD is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Position may be upgraded to Heavy Equipment Operator II with a starting wage aligned to the Carpenters Union Agreement, currently $42.87.
This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Southwest Regional Mountain States Carpeters Union. Benefits include the following:
Retirement: Carpenter's Southwest Administrative Corporation manages the pension program. The current employee contribution rate for each payroll is shown below. Taxes are deferred to retirement. Contributions are paid up to all hours worked up to 2200 hours per calendar year.
Employee Contributions per hour:

• Track Inspector $1.69
• Track Maintainer $2.24
• Track Welder $1.83
• Track Maintainer Foreman $1.90
• Material Handler $2.10
• Heavy Equipment Operator I $1.97
• Heavy Equipment Operator II $1.83
• Equipment Operator Foreman $1.83
• Assistant Signal Maintainer $1.89
• Signal Maintainer $1.58
• Signal Inspector $1.26
• Systems & Comms Tech $1.26

457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan: NCTD offers a Voluntary Deferred Compensation Savings Plan through VOYA Financial Services. Employees are eligible to enroll any time after the date of hire. The plan allows you to contribute pre-tax and/or post-tax dollars into selected funds of your choice. The plan also allows you to:

• Contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS
• Catch-up plan for those 50+ of up to amount specified annually by the IRS
• Is portable, can be rolled over into another qualified retirement plan
• Employer match into a 401(a) account (50% up to 8% of employee compensation; Max NCTD contribution of 4%

Medical Insurance: Carpenter's Southwest Administrative Corporation offers two plans that include HMO and PPO plans to choose from: the Active Plan Coverage and the Bronze Plan Coverage.

• Active Plan (Gold) Coverage Includes:
• Coverage for employee AND eligible dependents
• Medical Coverage:PPO Copay Plan or Kaiser HMO Network
• Dental Coverage: DPPO with United Healthcare
• Vision Coverage: standard plan with United Healthcare
• Prescription Coverage
• Total cost per paycheck: $355.20 (pre-tax)

• Bronze Plan Coverage includes:
• Medical PPO Plan Only
• Total cost per paycheck Employee Only: $35.20 (pre-tax)
• Total cost per paycheck Employee + 1 dependent: $110.20 (pre-tax)
• Total cost per paycheck Employee + 2 or more dependents: $160.20 (pre-tax)
• (Optional with Bronze Plan Coverage) Dental Insurance: NCTD offers two different dental plans for employees and their eligible dependents (HMO and PPO) from United Concordia. Human Resources can provide information regarding available plans. Both plans are part of NCTD's cafeteria plan (pre-tax payroll deductions for monthly premiums).
• (Optional with Bronze Plan Coverage)