Conductor Trainee - Havre, MT

BNSF Railway • Havre, MT

5d • $70,000 - $82,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Conductor Trainees join BNSF Railway’s Transportation Department to help ensure freight moves safely and efficiently. They receive company-paid classroom and on-the-job training for up to 19 weeks, including travel to BNSF’s training center in Overland Park, Kansas. The role involves learning train operations, safety procedures, and the use of technology and real-time information to support rail network operations.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week role with 24/7 on-call availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Work may be seasonal depending on weather or business needs. Frequent travel is required, including the ability to travel to and stay in the designated seniority region for extended periods. The job is based in Havre, Montana, and this is a Primary Recall location: employees hired there have a three-year obligation from their hire date to return to that location if called back to stabilize its workforce.

The work takes place in a safety-sensitive environment and may involve 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, respond to safety concerns, and take appropriate action in emergencies. A 60-day probationary period applies after training is completed and the first tour of compensated services is protected. Relocation assistance is not available. Union membership in SMART-TD or BLET is required, with dues as required by the union agreement.

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, or turn 18 by the anticipated start date.
• Be able to report for duty at the designated work location.
• Be able to work safely in the described conditions and work the stated hours and shifts.
• Meet the stated travel requirements, including frequent travel and 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 from near and far, 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 verbal and non-verbal sounds, including signals and alarms, and comprehend verbal communication in the work environment.
• Use hands and hand tools for activities involving holding, grasping, turning, and pulling.
• Climb ladders and get on and off equipment.
• Work at various heights above the ground, including on locomotives, railcars, and other equipment.
• Bend, lift, walk, and stand occasionally with breaks, sit frequently with breaks, and walk or work on uneven surfaces.
• Follow safety policies and procedures and wear required personal protective equipment.
• Obtain union membership with SMART-TD or BLET and pay dues as required by the union agreement.

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 train movement signals 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 or problems, as well as conditions observed on passing trains.
• Follow safety policies and procedures, wear required personal protective equipment, and take appropriate action in emergencies.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options for employees and dependents.
• Telemedicine, mental health services, wellness coaching, second-opinion services, and access to high-quality care networks.
• Life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Railroad Retirement program and a competitive 401(k) plan.
• Parental and pediatric support, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and spending accounts.
• Discounts on travel, gym memberships, and other offerings.
• Company-paid on-the-job and classroom training for up to 19 weeks.

What This Job Offers

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