Carman Trainee (Alaska Railroad)

State Of Alaska • Anchorage, AK

3d • $36 • Onsite

About The Position

PURPOSE OF POSITION: To provide a training program that enables the incumbent to attain Journeyman Carmen status and be able to perform the full range of inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, servicing and repair activities of freight and passenger cars, various standard equipment and components utilized throughout the railroad industry and maintenance shop environments. Work is performed in accordance with the Association of American Railroads Rules, APTA, Federal Railroad Administration Regulations, OSHA regulations and Alaska Railroad Corporation regulations and specifications.

Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications for a Carman Trainee
• High school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• Experience or training/education in one of the following is required:
• One year of practical work experience in a mechanical shop, equipment maintenance, equipment or building repair or construction environment.
• Completion of NIT or AVTEC (or similar) training in welding or heavy equipment or closely related field
• Associate's degree in welding technology, heavy equipment or closely related field
• Must have sufficient skill to perform the following: work without more than normal supervision, assemble, install, repair, troubleshoot, use measuring instruments, and operate vehicles/equipment.
• Must be capable of using a respirator.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must be capable of lifting 60 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Practical experience performing railroad rolling stock maintenance work is preferred.
• Experience in the following areas is preferred: machine shop, sheet metal work, welding fabrication, carpentry, pipefitting, or a heavy equipment shop.
• Previous experience operating overhead cranes is preferred.
• It is preferred that incumbent have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of re railing procedures.

Responsibilities

• As An Entry Status Mechanical Carmen: The training program consists of a combination of self-study correspondence courses and on-the-job practical instruction provided by fully qualified Journeyman Carmen. Training is scheduled and phased. Assignments include learning such trade practices and skills as the proper usage of tools and equipment of the trade; the order of assembling parts and identifying tools and equipment; reading blueprints, sketches, and technical manuals to understand the functions of the parts or systems; planning and laying out work and troubleshooting parts, systems and components; repair techniques to include methods used in obtaining fits or tolerances/ making adjustments and calibrations; and rebuilding and manufacturing parts. The Trainee performs operational functions and maintains working area in accordance with practices and procedures prescribed in the ARRC Manual of Safety Rules and Regulations for the General Guidance and Protections of Railroad Personnel. Incumbent is required to drive an ARRC vehicle at times. Performs routine inspection, troubleshooting, preventative maintenance and repairs to freight and passenger cars and related equipment and components. When applicable, all inspection and repair forms are signed, documenting and certifying all repairs were performed and completed in detail and in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and laws. During the course of an inspection, the use of various reference materials, manuals, specifications, regulations, gauges, hand tools and drawings may be required in order to ensure strict compliance with the regulations and applicable laws.
• As a Journeyman Carmen: Performs inspection of railroad rolling stock for defective conditions in accordance with applicable Federal Railroad Administration Regulations, Part 231, Railroad Safety Appliance Standards, Part 215, Railroad Freight Car Safety Standards and Part 238, Passenger Equipment Safety Standards. Defective equipment is removed from service based upon application of applicable guidelines. Component inspection includes all aspects of freight and passenger car anatomy. In the course of passenger and freight car inspection, applicable Federal Railroad Administration Regulation inspection forms are documented and signed. Performs repairs to freight and passenger car rolling stock, both foreign and system, using various tools of trade. Repairs are performed are in accordance with Field Manual of the Association of American Railroads Interchange Rules and AAR Manual of Standards, encompassing all component removal, replacement and/or restoration of car anatomy. When applicable, as in of tank car valves repair, ARRC Quality Assurance inspection forms are documented and signed in accordance with Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 179 Specifications for Tank Cars. Incumbent performs tank repairs in permit and non permit confined spaces. Performs individual freight car and train consist air brake tests in compliance with Title 49, Transportation, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 232, Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and other non-passenger trains and equipment; end of train devices. Provides guidance to shippers in the proper placement and securement of lading using Association of American Railroads Open Top Loading Rules and approved ARRC interline procedures. Performs load inspection to insure lading securement and loading compliance. Responds to derailment situations, participating in re-railing activities associated with reestablishing mainline and service track access. Provides necessary Blue Signal Protection perTitle 49, Transportation, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 218, Railroad Operating Practices. Participates in various aspects of training, including apprentices and other Care Department employees, as required.

Benefits

• ARRC Pension Plan - Participation is mandatory. You are automatically enrolled in the Plan when you meet the eligibility requirement of your bargaining unit. Employees contribute 9% of their Earnings on a pre-tax basis. The Railroad is exempt from participation in Social Security; however, Medicare Tax is withheld. Participants vest with 5 years of eligible Vesting Service which entitles one to receive a pension benefit at retirement age.
• 401(k) Tax Deferred Savings Plan - Participation is optional. You may enroll once you meet the eligibility requirement of your bargaining unit. Depending on the bargaining unit, there may be an employer match.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan - Participation is optional for non-represented employees.
• Health Insurance Plan A comprehensive health insurance plan, self-insured by the ARRC and administered by Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. Coverage is also available for the employee's spouse and dependent children. ARRC and the participant share the premium cost. Bargaining unit employees are Eligibility after 90 days, and non-represented employees are eligible as of the date of hire. The Railroad offers a Prefered Provider Organization plan (PPO Blue Essentials) and a Consumer Directed Healthcare Plan with a Health Saving Account (Gold Essentials). The Plans have the following features.
• The Railroad also offers two dental plans. The Railroad National Dental for represented employees. The Alaska Railroad Optional Dental Plan for both represented and non-represented employees.
• Vacation Leave -accrual per bi-weekly pay period: Represented Employees 0-3 Years of Service = 4 Hours >3-15 Years of Service = 6 Hours >15 Years of Service = 8 Hours Non-Represented Employees 0-3 Years of Service = 6 Hours >3-15 Years of Service = 8 Hours >15 Years of Service = 10 Hours
• Sick Leave: accrues at 4 hours (Represented) or 2 hours (Non-Represented) per pay period.
• 11 Paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees