Conductor/Engineer Trainee

Burlington Junction Railway • Clinton, IA

1d • $23 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant movement of railcars and trains. The position coordinates switching activities, conducts job briefings, communicates movement instructions, inspects equipment, maintains required records, and works closely with locomotive engineers, customers, and other operating employees.

Work is performed in railroad yards, industrial facilities, shops, customer locations, rights-of-way, and outdoor areas. The role involves regular exposure to weather, dust, grease, fumes, noise, vibration, moving equipment, and uneven walking surfaces. Employees must use task-appropriate personal protective equipment. The position may require nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, call outs, travel, and variable start times according to operational needs.

Employees must follow company rules, operating practices, customer-site requirements, and applicable laws and regulations; report fit for duty; promptly report injuries, incidents, hazards, damaged equipment, rule violations, and unsafe conditions; and use stop-work authority when work cannot be performed safely. The description covers principal duties and requirements but is not exhaustive. Assignments may be modified based on operational needs, qualifications, business conditions, and applicable law. Employment remains subject to company policies and any written employment agreement.

Requirements

• Ability to learn and apply operating rules, timetables, special instructions, safety procedures, and customer requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly by radio and in person and to give, receive, repeat, and confirm movement instructions.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to successfully complete company training, examinations, qualification requirements, background screening, and applicable drug-and-alcohol testing.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including frequently standing and walking on uneven surfaces; bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and balancing; regularly lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; climbing steps, ladders, and equipment; and seeing, hearing, and communicating sufficiently to recognize signals, instructions, alarms, movement, and hazards.
• Ability to work extended shifts or overtime when operationally necessary, subject to applicable law and company policy.
• Ability to work in railroad yards, industrial facilities, shops, customer locations, rights-of-way, and outdoor areas, with exposure to variable weather, noise, vibration, fumes, dust, grease, and moving equipment.
• Use required personal protective equipment appropriate to the task.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Prior railroad, industrial switching, transportation, military, construction, agriculture, warehouse, or heavy-equipment experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in and, when assigned, lead job briefings before work and when conditions, plans, personnel, or hazards change.
• Coordinate train and switching movements using approved radio communications, hand signals, and applicable operating rules.
• Line and inspect switches and operate derails, hand brakes, couplers, angle cocks, and other railroad equipment.
• Protect shove movements, crossings, track occupancy, and equipment in accordance with company rules and applicable regulations.
• Inspect rail cars, locomotives, loads, tracks, and work areas for visible defects or unsafe conditions; report and protect identified hazards promptly.
• Couple and uncouple rail cars and air hoses; assist with required air-brake tests and verify equipment is properly secured.
• Build, classify, spot, pull, and secure rail car cuts based on work orders, switch lists, customer needs, and crew instructions.
• Maintain accurate switch lists, train documentation, car counts, placement records, delay information, and other required operating records.
• Communicate professionally with customers while ensuring production requests do not override safety rules or operating authority.
• Apply stop-work authority when a movement, instruction, condition, or communication is unsafe or unclear.
• Protect company property and maintain locomotives, radios, vehicles, and work areas in a clean and orderly condition.
• Perform other railroad operating duties within training, qualification, and assignment.
• Follow company rules, operating practices, customer-site requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Report fit for duty, remain free from prohibited drug and alcohol use, and participate in testing when required by law or company policy.
• Immediately report injuries, incidents, hazards, damaged equipment, rule violations, and unsafe conditions.
• Use required personal protective equipment and exercise stop-work authority when work cannot be performed safely.
• Maintain professional, respectful conduct and protect confidential, customer, and company information.

Benefits

• Railroad Retirement.
• Access to a 401(k) plan with a 4% match after one year of employment.
• 100% company-paid health and dental insurance for the employee, spouse, and family.
• Vision insurance.
• Paid time off: 88 hours, prorated in the first year based on start date.
• Monthly safety bonuses of up to $400.
• Annual clothing allowance of $500.
• Allowance of $250 for prescription safety glasses every other year.
• $10,000 life insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED