What are the responsibilities and job description for the Equipment Operator position at CPKC?
Posting Start Date: 12/30/25
Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S. Canada and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
CPKC is hiring fulltime Equipment Operators in order to facilitate the safe and efficient loading of domestic and international containers at its Intermodal and automotive facility. Positions include Gate Clerk, Ground person, hostler operator, Auto Loader, and lift operator, these positions are based on seniority and position availability.
POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Medical and Drug Testing
This is a safety sensitive position and a successful pre-employment medical assessment including physical, vision, hearing, and a negative company or regulated drug test is required. Post hire qualification drug testing may also be required.
Background Investigation
For our U.S. applicants, CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For Canadian applicants CPKC is an employment equity employer committed to the principles of employment equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply including: women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQ community and people with disabilities. Accommodations for the job application process can be provide, as appropriate, upon request. All applicant information will be managed in accordance with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S. Canada and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
CPKC is hiring fulltime Equipment Operators in order to facilitate the safe and efficient loading of domestic and international containers at its Intermodal and automotive facility. Positions include Gate Clerk, Ground person, hostler operator, Auto Loader, and lift operator, these positions are based on seniority and position availability.
POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Operation of various terminal equipment including shunt trucks, light duty pickup trucks, fuel trucks, trailers, chassis, forklift, sweeper truck
- Moving containers/chassis within terminal to support train loading operations
- General duties, as required, including pre-tripping of perishable intermodal containers, building electric reefer container sets on railcars, plug in reefers on ground and monitor performance
- Perform visual inspection and report on damages and defects of intermodal equipment
- Prepare railcars for proper loading of different-size containers by placement of pedestals and spacers
- Assist in securement of containers once loaded to railcar (walking on railcar platforms, locking/unlocking container locks)
- Update system as required once work is completed
- High School Graduation or General Equivalency
- Valid driver’s license
- 1 year Experience working with heavy equipment or as a shunt or long-haul driver
- Work outdoors in all types of weather conditions is required
- Ability to follow advanced written instruction and/or training in skills such as driving
- Strong safety mindset, this is a safety-sensitive position within an environment of heavy equipment and constant flow of traffic
- CPKC operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; must be able to work on various shifts including; overnights, holidays, and weekends and days off
- Flexible and competitive benefits package
- Competitive company pension and/or retirement plans
- Employee share purchase plan
- Annual fitness subsidy
- Part-time studies program
Medical and Drug Testing
This is a safety sensitive position and a successful pre-employment medical assessment including physical, vision, hearing, and a negative company or regulated drug test is required. Post hire qualification drug testing may also be required.
Background Investigation
- Criminal history check
- Education verification
- Driver’s license verification and driving history
- Social Security Number verification
For our U.S. applicants, CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For Canadian applicants CPKC is an employment equity employer committed to the principles of employment equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply including: women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQ community and people with disabilities. Accommodations for the job application process can be provide, as appropriate, upon request. All applicant information will be managed in accordance with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
- Req ID: 105322
- Department: Network & Capacity Management
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Position Type: Union
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Country: United States
- % of Travel: 0-10%
- # of Positions: 11
- Compensation Rate: $21.79-$26.27
- Job Available to: Internal & External
Salary : $22 - $26