Heavy Tow Truck Operator – Job Description
The Heavy Tow Truck Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient recovery, towing, transport, and relocation of heavy-duty commercial vehicles, trailers, construction equipment, industrial machinery, and specialized equipment. This position requires operating heavy wreckers, rotators, Landoll trailers, RGN trailers, and other specialized recovery equipment while maintaining the highest standards of safety, professionalism, teamwork, and customer service.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Respond promptly to emergency roadside incidents, accidents, recoveries, equipment moves, and customer service calls.
- Safely operate heavy-duty wreckers, rotators, Landoll trailers, RGN trailers, forklifts, winches, and other specialized equipment.
- Transport construction equipment and oversized machinery throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, including congested downtown streets, construction zones, and restricted access job sites.
- Load, unload, transport, and properly secure construction equipment, industrial machinery, commercial vehicles, and oversized loads.
- Assess accident scenes and develop safe recovery plans based on traffic conditions, terrain, weather, vehicle damage, and surrounding hazards.
- Perform heavy recoveries involving overturned tractor-trailers, buses, construction equipment, off-road recoveries, jackknifed combinations, and load shifts.
- Perform cargo transfers using forklifts, pallet jacks, cranes, trailers, and other material handling equipment.
- Assist with vehicle recoveries requiring complex rigging, multiple pieces of equipment, and coordinated team operations.
- Maintain constant awareness of surroundings while working around traffic, heavy equipment, customers, emergency personnel, and other hazards. Operators must keep their "head on a swivel" and continuously monitor changing conditions.
- Work effectively in a team environment while recognizing when assistance is required. Operators are expected to know their limitations, ask for help when needed, and assist fellow employees whenever necessary.
- Safely work long hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended emergency responses when required.
- Perform routine inspections of trucks and equipment before and after each shift.
- Clean, wash, pressure wash, fuel, and maintain company trucks and equipment to ensure a professional appearance and safe operation.
- Complete shop duties when not assigned to field work, including organizing equipment, cleaning the shop, assisting mechanics, stocking recovery equipment, and maintaining fleet readiness.
- Perform roadside service calls on commercial trucks and trailers, including replacing mud flaps, fuel filters, brake chambers, air bags, glad hands, 3-in-1 air and electrical assemblies, 7-way electrical plugs, airlines, and other minor repairs.
- Unfreeze air brake systems during winter operations and safely cage brakes when necessary to facilitate towing or repairs.
- Complete all required paperwork, inspection reports, DOT documentation, invoices, electronic work orders, and customer paperwork accurately and on time.
- Communicate professionally with customers, dispatchers, law enforcement, fire departments, contractors, insurance representatives, and fellow employees.
- Maintain compliance with all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA), OSHA standards, DOT regulations, and company safety policies.
Required Qualifications
- Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with an acceptable driving record.
- Ability to meet company insurance requirements.
- Experience operating heavy wreckers, rotators, Landoll trailers, RGN trailers, or other heavy commercial equipment preferred.
- Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to diagnose and perform basic roadside repairs.
- Experience with heavy rigging techniques, including chains, straps, slings, shackles, snatch blocks, spreader bars, and other recovery equipment preferred.
- Ability to safely operate forklifts and other material handling equipment.
- Excellent communication, customer service, and teamwork skills.
- Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations.
Physical Requirements
- Frequently lift and carry up to 100 pounds.
- Climb on trucks, trailers, and equipment while maintaining three points of contact.
- Bend, kneel, crawl, reach, and work in confined or awkward positions.
- Work outdoors in all weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, and ice.
- Stand and walk for extended periods.
- Safely perform physically demanding work around moving traffic, heavy equipment, and active construction sites.
Work Environment
Heavy Tow Truck Operators work in fast-paced, physically demanding environments that include highways, downtown Chicago, industrial facilities, construction sites, rail yards, distribution centers, and emergency accident scenes. Employees are expected to work safely under pressure, adapt to changing conditions, and maintain a professional attitude while representing Todd's Towing. Success in this position requires excellent situational awareness, teamwork, mechanical ability, and a commitment to providing safe, efficient, and dependable service at all times.
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
License/Certification:
- English speaking (Preferred)
- CDL A (Preferred)
Shift availability:
- Overnight Shift (Preferred)
- Night Shift (Preferred)
- Day Shift (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Plainfield, IL 60586 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
