Conductor Trainee-San Antonio, TX

BNSF Railway•San Antonio, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

BNSF is hiring Conductor Trainees for its Transportation department, which coordinates train operations, scheduling, and dispatching to move freight safely and efficiently. Trainees learn to manage train operations, follow safety protocols, and support the efficiency of the rail network through company-paid on-the-job and classroom training for up to 19 weeks. Training includes travel to BNSF’s training center in Overland Park, Kansas. This is a full-time position requiring at least 40 hours per week. The role is on-call 24/7 and may involve nights, weekends, and holidays. Work may be seasonal due to weather or business needs. Employees must be available in the posted geographic area and report promptly to the assigned location. Frequent travel is required, including extended stays in the designated seniority region. This posting is for 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 company safety rules and applicable federal and state regulations, use required personal protective equipment, respond to safety concerns, and take appropriate action in emergencies. Relocation assistance is not available, and the position has a 60-day probationary period. Union membership in SMART-TD or BLET is required, with dues as specified by the applicable 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 by the listed 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 required shifts and hours.
Meet the position’s travel requirements.
Read, write, speak, hear, and understand 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) colors, 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 holding, grasping, turning, and pulling.
Climb and descend 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; walk and 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 and pay required union dues.

Responsibilities

Obtain, receive, and act on oral and written information using 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, identify issues, and report conditions observed on passing trains.
Follow safety policies and procedures, wear required personal protective equipment, respond to concerns, and act appropriately in emergencies.