Conductor Trainee - Primary Recall - Birmingham, AL

BNSF Railway • Birmingham, AL

4d • $70,000 - $82,000

About The Position

BNSF Railway is hiring Conductor Trainees for its Transportation Department in Birmingham, Alabama. Conductor Trainees learn to manage train operations, comply with safety protocols, and support efficient freight movement. The role includes company-paid on-the-job and classroom training for up to 19 weeks, including travel to BNSF’s training center in Overland Park, Kansas.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position subject to 24/7 on-call availability, nights, weekends, and holidays. Work may be seasonal due to weather or business needs. Frequent travel is required, including the ability to travel to and stay in the designated seniority region for extended periods. Employees hired at this Primary Recall location have a three-year obligation from their hire date to return to the hiring location if called back to stabilize its workforce. Relocation assistance is not available. A 60-day probationary period applies after training and protection of the first tour of compensated services.

Work takes place in a safety-sensitive environment, potentially involving extreme weather, uneven surfaces, loud noise, fumes, and heavy or moving machinery. Employees must follow safety rules and applicable regulations, wear required personal protective equipment, report concerns, and take appropriate action in emergencies. The job requires physical work such as climbing on and off equipment, operating hand brakes and track switches, handling air hoses and railcar knuckles, and inspecting trains and track conditions.

Requirements

• Be able to work now and in the future without BNSF assistance in obtaining, maintaining, or extending employment authorization.
• Be at least 18 years old by the listed start date.
• Be able to report for duty at the designated work location.
• Be able to work safely in the described working conditions and work the stated hours and on-call schedule.
• Meet the stated travel requirements, including extended stays in the designated seniority region.
• Read, write, and communicate in English.
• Lift and carry up to 80 pounds.
• Learn to identify, interpret, and use hand signals at near and far distances and visually judge the speed and distance of moving objects.
• Visually distinguish red, blue, green, yellow, and lunar (clear light), see at night, and distinguish colors on computer display screens.
• Differentiate between verbal and non-verbal sounds, such as signals and alarms, and comprehend verbal communication in the work environment.
• Use hands and hand tools for holding, grasping, turning, and pulling.
• Climb ladders, get on and off equipment, and work at heights on locomotives, railcars, and other equipment.
• Bend, lift, walk, and stand occasionally with breaks; walk and perform work on uneven surfaces; and sit frequently with breaks.
• Follow safety policies and procedures and wear required personal protective equipment.
• Join SMART-TD or BLET, with union dues required under the union agreement.
• Complete required pre-employment background verification, medical review, and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Obtain, receive, and act on oral and written information through various devices, and monitor and report daily work.
• Climb on and off equipment, manage hand brakes, connect and disconnect air hoses, and replace broken railcar knuckles.
• Interpret signals for train movement and judge or control speed and clearance distances.
• Operate track switches and derails to change train routing, and check switch points for proper alignment.
• Switch and spot cars, determine train make-up, and inspect cars in accordance with federal regulations.
• Monitor track conditions and report issues, as well as report conditions observed on passing trains.
• Follow safety policies and procedures, wear required personal protective equipment, respond to safety concerns, and take appropriate action in emergencies.

Benefits

• Health care options for employees and dependents, including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, mental health, wellness coaching, second-opinion services, and care network options.
• Life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Railroad Retirement program and a competitive 401(k) plan.
• Family benefits, including parental and pediatric support, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and spending accounts.
• Discounts on travel, gym memberships, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed