Freight Conductor - Parkersburg, WV

CSX • Parkersburg, WV

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Freight Conductor safely coordinates train crews on freight trains, places rail cars to support loading and unloading, and makes up or breaks down trains in rail yards, customer facilities, and similar locations. The position requires compliance with railroad safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, signals, and train orders, along with communication and coordination with other transportation employees and customers.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by on-the-job training. Training includes classroom and computer-based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies. Trainees must maintain an 85% passing rate on quizzes and tests to remain in the program. The job may involve on-call work, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, nonstandard workweeks, outdoor work in varying weather, and travel away from the home terminal. Employees must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.

New-hire conductors are eligible for retention bonuses after their first and second years of service following promotion or qualification. For this location, the posting lists projected first-year earnings of $97,185, training and on-the-job rates, guaranteed extra-board pay after on-the-job training, and location-specific bonus amounts. The role is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required. Candidates must pass a drug test, medical exam, and background check.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• At least one year of related experience.
• High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution.
• Ability to read and comprehend operating instructions, rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Must pass a drug test, medical exam, and background check.
• Must safely report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Must meet color vision and hearing requirements described in FRA regulations.
• Must pass required assessments and maintain an 85% passing rate on training quizzes and tests.
• Must complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations.
• Must comply with random drug and/or alcohol testing under federal regulations.
• Must be able to work safely and wear CSX-approved protective equipment.
• Must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Membership in the collective bargaining agreement is required.
• Must be able to work a nonstandard schedule, including on-call work, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• May be required to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer.
• Must be able to perform the listed physical requirements, including frequent lifting up to 80 pounds.

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.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance 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.
• Assist with coupling and uncoupling rail 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 provide excellent customer service by identifying and meeting or exceeding customer needs.
• Remain aware of the surrounding area and suspicious activity to support rail safety.
• Operate locomotive equipment using a remote-control device.
• Comprehend color and/or hand signals and systems.
• Review instructions from yardmasters, dispatchers, and other transportation employees, and discuss them with the locomotive engineer.
• Complete other activities and responsibilities assigned by the manager.
• Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations.
• Advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority.
• Cover outlying locations based on seniority.

Benefits

• Paid four-week training at the Atlanta Training Center.
• Hotel room provided for the entire four-week training period.
• $20 per day meal allowance during training.
• Round-trip mileage reimbursed at the IRS rate between the hiring location and Atlanta, plus mileage between the training center and hotel.
• Retention bonus after the first year of service; the posting lists a location-specific amount of $5,569.22.
• Retention bonus after the second year of service; the posting lists a location-specific amount of $3,712.81.
• Guaranteed extra-board pay after on-the-job training, as specified in the posting.
• Overtime opportunities may increase earnings.

What This Job Offers

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