Heavy Equipment Operator - Port of West Memphis, AR
WatcoJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Watco is hiring a Heavy Equipment Operator at the Port of West Memphis, AR, a full-time on-site role that keeps the world’s supply chain moving by safely operating heavy equipment to support daily transloading and site operations. You will work independently and with others, conduct pre and post inspections, and participate in daily safety briefings while maintaining a clean, organized outdoor work area in varying conditions. The ideal candidate has 2-3 years of hands-on equipment experience, can demonstrate competency through classroom and field evaluations, and understands cargo hazards and pedestrian safety. A valid driver’s license is preferred; high school diploma or GED is required. Tips: tailor your resume to highlight gear you’ve operated, relevant safety training, and concrete examples of past inspections and teamwork in fast-paced environments, and be ready to discuss how you contribute to reliability and efficiency at a logistics hub.
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
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities
Job Summary
The Operator is responsible for safely operating a variety of heavy equipment to support daily transloading and site operations. Operators work both independently and collaboratively in outdoor environments under varying conditions to ensure smooth and reliable site performance.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Able to obtain qualifications and show competencies in the equipment type that they will be required to operate
• Transfer bulk materials and other cargo between trucks, railcars, vessels, barges, and storage areas in accordance with proper procedures and safety standards
• Conduct equipment inspections before and after use; report or address any maintenance or safety concerns promptly with leadership and safety team
• Participate in daily safety and job briefings, maintaining a strong focus on safety, environmental protection, and teamwork
• Follow written and verbal instructions to complete tasks efficiently and meet operational schedules
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions while maintaining a safe, clean, and organized work area this includes but is not limited to the cab of their equipment and surrounding work area
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be able to pass and/or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position and location. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Minimal of 2-3 years of experience operating equipment is strongly preferred
• Must show competency level and understanding with the type of equipment they are selected to operate by passing both classroom and field evaluation with satisfactory marks
• Must show familiarity with various cargo types and understand the hazards associated with them in regard to equipment, cargo, and pedestrian safety
• Valid Drivers license preferred
• Past credentials for associated equipment are preferred but not required