Conductor Trainee - Primary Recall - Alliance, Nebraska

BNSF Railway • Alliance, NE

7d • $70,000 - $82,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Conductor Trainees join BNSF Railway’s Transportation Department and learn to support safe, 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. The position is based in Alliance, Nebraska, and is a primary-recall location: employees have a three-year obligation from their hire date to return to the hiring location if called back to stabilize its workforce.

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 based on weather or business needs. Frequent travel is required, including extended stays within the designated seniority region. Relocation assistance is not available. A 60-day probationary period applies after training is completed and the employee protects the first tour of compensated services.

The work is safety-sensitive and may involve extreme weather, uneven surfaces, loud noise, fumes, and heavy or moving machinery. Employees must follow safety rules, policies, and applicable federal and state regulations, wear required personal protective equipment, respond to safety concerns, and take appropriate action in emergencies. The position requires union membership with SMART-TD or BLET, with dues required under the union agreement. Seniority district transfer eligibility varies by location and may require up to three years of employment and Director approval.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old by the listed start date.
• Be able to work now and in the future without BNSF’s assistance in obtaining, maintaining, or extending employment authorization.
• 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 extended stays in the designated seniority region.
• Read, write, and communicate in English, including speaking, hearing, and understanding.
• 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) colors and see at night.
• Visually distinguish and differentiate colors on computer display screens.
• Differentiate 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 and get on and off equipment.
• Work at various heights above 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.
• Join SMART-TD or BLET and pay union dues as required by the union agreement.

Responsibilities

• Obtain, receive, and act on oral and written information using various devices; monitor and report daily work.
• Climb on and off equipment, operate 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 railcars, determine train make-up, and inspect cars in accordance with federal regulations.
• Monitor track conditions and report problems, as well as report conditions observed on passing trains.
• Participate in safety conversations and follow safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Wear required personal protective equipment, respond to concerns, and take appropriate action in emergencies.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision care options for employees and dependents.
• Telemedicine, mental health services, wellness coaching, second-opinion services, and high-quality care network options.
• Life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Railroad Retirement program and competitive 401(k) plan.
• Parental and pediatric support.
• Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement.
• 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