Conductor - Houston, TX

Watco Companies

401d

About The Position

The conductor/switchman position at Watco involves controlling and coordinating train movements while switching railcars in various locations to ensure safe and efficient loading and unloading for customer service. This role requires manual labor and proficiency in specific skills, duties, and requirements, which will be developed during a training period.

Requirements

• High school education or general education (GED) or 3 to 6 months job-related experience; or equivalent of education and experience.
• Must be able to pass and obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule.
• Read, write, and communicate in English & understand basic math.
• Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment.
• Read switching orders from designated person.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of train crews.
• Receive oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer indicating which cars are to be switched.
• Notify engineer of switching orders and which cars are to be moved to specified locations of yard, using radio, verbal or hand signals.
• Talk to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information.
• Confer with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
• Give instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars.
• Assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations.
• Turn hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake to apply and release handbrakes.
• Observe track to detect obstructions.
• Maintain records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched.
• Coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower.
• Raise coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars.
• Throw track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signal Engineer to move cars, using lantern, arm signals or radio.
• Connect air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force.
• Set warning signals, such as flares, flags, or lanterns at front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
• Sit or ride in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members.
• Make minor repairs to couplings and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs.
• Talk to Dispatcher via radio to give or receive switching information.

Benefits

• Award-winning culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
• Operations training at the Safe Performance Center in Birmingham, Alabama
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Rail Transportation
• Education Level: High school or GED