Freight Conductor - Wildwood, FL

CSX Transportation • Wildwood, FL

3h • Onsite

About The Position

The Freight Conductor safely coordinates train crews on freight trains, places rail cars for loading and unloading, and makes up or breaks down trains in rail yards, customer facilities, and similar locations. The role involves following railroad and safety rules and federal regulations, inspecting rail equipment, communicating by radio and telephone, handling rail cars and switches, and working with customers to support accurate movement and placement of cars.

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% passing rate on quizzes and tests to remain in the program. CSX provides a hotel room during training, a $20 daily meal allowance, and reimbursement for eligible mileage. On-the-job training begins after successful completion of the training program.

The position requires living within or relocating to within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not provided. Work may involve nonstandard hours, overtime, shift work, on-call assignments, nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees may need to report within two hours of notification, travel away from their home terminal for 24 hours or longer, and cover outlying locations based on seniority. The role is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required. Employees must complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations, and may be required to advance to an engineer position based on seniority.

Projected first-year earnings for CSRA are $97,185. Training, on-the-job training, and guaranteed extra-board pay rates are specified in the posting; earnings may be higher with overtime. Retention bonuses are deferred to a 401(k): $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year, subject to applicable terms and work location. Applicants must pass a drug test, medical exam, background check, and required assessments.

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 operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Have proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Pass a drug test, medical exam, background check, and all required assessments.
• Meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Be able to safely report to work within two hours of notification.
• Be willing and able to work nonstandard schedules, overtime, and varied shifts, including on-call work, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Be willing to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer and cover outlying locations based on seniority.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations.
• Be able to advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority.
• Accept the collective bargaining agreement; membership is required.
• Maintain an 85% passing rate on training quizzes and tests.
• Meet the physical requirements of mounting and dismounting moving equipment; bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, balancing, and climbing; working in cramped or awkward spaces; riding outside rail equipment for extended periods; walking long distances over uneven terrain; demonstrating auditory and visual acuity; and frequently lifting up to 80 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of outside work experience, such as construction, heavy-equipment operations, or farming; professional, personal, and volunteer experience may qualify.
• 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 departure.
• Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone.
• Read and understand bulletins, work orders, and switch lists.
• Assist with coupling and uncoupling 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 customer service that meets or exceeds expectations.
• Remain aware of the surrounding area and suspicious activity to help ensure rail safety.
• Operate locomotive equipment using a remote-control device.
• Comprehend color and hand signals and signaling 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.
• Work safely to prevent workplace accidents and injuries.
• Report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses deferred to a 401(k): at least $3,000 after one year and $2,000 after two years, subject to the applicable agreement and location.
• Four weeks of paid training.
• Hotel room provided during the four-week Atlanta training period.
• $20 per day meal allowance during training.
• Reimbursement of roundtrip mileage between the hiring location and Atlanta at the IRS rate, and mileage between the training center and hotel.

What This Job Offers

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