Freight Conductor - Grand Rapids, MI

CSX Transportation • Wyoming, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Freight Conductor safely coordinates train crews on freight trains, places rail cars for loading and unloading, and makes up and breaks down trains in rail yards, customer facilities, and similar locations. The role involves working with railroad equipment, customers, and transportation personnel while complying with railroad and safety rules and Federal Railroad Administration regulations.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center. Training combines classroom and computer-based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies. Trainees must maintain an 85% average on quizzes and tests to remain in the program. CSX provides a hotel room for the training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and specified mileage reimbursement. On-the-job training begins after successful completion of training.

The position requires living or relocating within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. New hires primarily work on call, including nights, weekends, and holidays, with hours determined by seniority. Work may include overtime, nonstandard schedules, travel, and time away from the home terminal. The role is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required. New hires may receive retention bonuses after their first and second years of service, subject to applicable agreement terms. The posting states projected first-year earnings of $97,185 and provides training, on-the-job training, and extra-board pay rates.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have one year of related experience.
• Have a high school diploma or GED from an accredited institution.
• Be able to read and comprehend instructions, including operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Have proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Pass required assessments, a drug test, medical exam, and background check.
• Be able to report safely to work within two hours of notification.
• Be willing to work nonstandard schedules, overtime, various shifts, and on-call hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Be willing to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer when required.
• Live or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Meet the physical requirements, including climbing on and off moving equipment, working in confined or awkward spaces, riding on rail equipment, walking long distances on uneven terrain, lifting up to 80 pounds frequently, and meeting FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Comply with random drug and/or alcohol testing under federal regulations and the employer's disciplinary policy concerning reporting to work.
• Be a member under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of outside work experience, such as construction, heavy equipment operation, or farming; experience may be professional, personal, or volunteer.
• Experience working in a safety-sensitive environment.
• A valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Comply with railroad and safety rules, FRA regulations, railroad signals, and train orders.
• Safely perform all job responsibilities.
• Inspect equipment on rail cars before departures.
• Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone.
• Read and understand bulletins, work orders, and switch lists.
• Couple and uncouple cars, operate switches, and make minor railcar repairs, including replacing heavy couplings or air brake hoses.
• Work with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of cars and meet or exceed customer service expectations.
• Maintain awareness of the surrounding area and suspicious activity to support rail safety.
• Operate locomotive equipment using a remote-control device.
• Comprehend color and hand signals and related systems.
• Review instructions from yardmasters, dispatchers, and other transportation employees, and discuss them with the locomotive engineer.
• Complete other activities and responsibilities as assigned by the manager.
• Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations.
• Advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority, and cover outlying locations based on seniority.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses after the first and second years of service; the posting identifies minimum amounts of $3,000 after year one and $2,000 after year two, while the NMAD section lists payments of $5,569.22 and $3,712.81, respectively, subject to applicable terms.
• Four weeks of paid training.
• Hotel room provided for the four-week training period.
• $20 per day meal allowance during training.
• Roundtrip mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate between the hiring location and Atlanta, and mileage reimbursement between the training center and hotel.
• Guaranteed extra-board pay after on-the-job training, as stated in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED