Heavy Wrecker Operator

Description

The Heavy Wrecker Tow Operator / Tandem Driver safely recovers, uprights and transports disabled or wrecked heavy-duty vehicles, including tractor-trailers, buses, motor coaches and construction equipment. The role runs heavy rotators and integrated wreckers, and performs tandem tows of combination vehicles. Operators work roadside, at incident scenes and at customer sites, often alongside law enforcement and fire crews, in all weather and at all hours.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Recovery and towing

• Operate heavy-duty wreckers and rotators (typically 50-ton and above) to tow, winch, upright and recover Class 7-8 vehicles and equipment.
• Perform tandem towing of tractor-trailers and combination vehicles, including underlift, fifth-wheel and dolly configurations.
• Assess incident scenes and plan safe recoveries: rigging, anchor points, load weights, terrain and hazards.
• Rig and operate winches, cables, chains, straps, snatch blocks, airbags and other recovery equipment within rated capacities.
• Load and secure cargo, debris and equipment per DOT and FMCSA cargo securement rules.

Scene safety and coordination

• Set up traffic control (cones, flares, lighting) and follow Move Over and incident management protocols.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, fire/EMS, DOT, dispatch and customers on scene.
• Recognize hazardous materials, fuel and fluid spills; contain spills and report per company and regulatory procedures.

Vehicle and equipment care

• Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections; report and document defects.
• Keep the truck clean, stocked and in service-ready condition; perform basic maintenance.
• Inspect rigging and recovery equipment and pull damaged items from service.

Documentation and customer service

• Complete work orders, photos, damage reports, invoices and electronic logs (ELD/HOS) accurately and on time.
• Collect payment or authorizations as required and communicate professionally with customers and fleet clients.
• Respond to dispatch promptly and meet on-call response times.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Physical demands and work environment

• Regularly lift, carry, push and pull up to 75 lbs (chains, cables, dollies, wheel lifts); heavier items with assistance.
• Climb on and off trucks and trailers, crawl under vehicles, kneel, bend and stand for long periods.
• Work outdoors in extreme heat, cold, rain, snow and ice, often at night.
• Work beside live traffic, at crash scenes, and around fuel, fluids, broken glass and hazardous materials.
• Wear required PPE: ANSI Class 3 high-visibility apparel, steel-toe boots, gloves, eye protection and hard hat.
• Shifts may exceed 12 hours on major recoveries, within Hours of Service limits.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Required qualifications

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL-A) with air brake endorsement; no restrictions that prevent operating the assigned equipment.
• Current DOT medical card.
• Minimum [2] years of heavy-duty towing and recovery experience, or [3] years of Class A driving plus documented wrecker training.
• Acceptable motor vehicle record per company and insurance carrier standards.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test and participate in the DOT random testing program.
• Ability to pass a background check, as permitted by law.
• Minimum age of 21 (required for interstate CDL operation).
• Working knowledge of FMCSA Hours of Service and cargo securement rules.
• Ability to read and follow work orders, maps and GPS, and to complete reports on a tablet or smartphone.
• Willingness to work an on-call rotation and respond within [X] minutes.

Preferred qualifications

• WreckMaster certification (Level 4/5 or higher) or TRAA National Driver Certification (Heavy Duty).
• Rotator operation experience (50- to 75-ton).
• Hazmat (H) and Tanker (N) endorsements, or TWIC card for port access.
• Traffic Incident Management (TIM) training.
• Experience with bus and motor coach recovery, load shifts and off-road recoveries.
• Basic diesel mechanical skills and air brake troubleshooting.

Salary Description

$75000 - $85000 yr