Freight Conductor - Massena, NY

CSX Transportation • Massena, NY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

A Freight Conductor safely coordinates train crews on freight trains, places rail cars to facilitate loading and unloading, and makes up or breaks down trains in rail yards, customer facilities, and similar locations. The role includes operating switches and locomotive equipment with a remote-control device, inspecting railcar equipment, communicating by radio and telephone, and coordinating with railroad personnel and customers.

The position requires compliance with railroad safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, signals, and train orders. New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center, followed by on-the-job training. Training includes classroom and computer-based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies; trainees must maintain at least an 85% average on quizzes and tests. CSX provides a hotel room during training, a $20 daily meal allowance, and reimburses qualifying mileage at the IRS rate.

The work is based on seniority and may involve on-call assignments, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, nonstandard workweeks, outdoor work in varying weather, and travel away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer. New hires must be able to report within two hours of notification and may need to cover outlying locations. The role requires physical activity, including climbing on and off equipment, walking over uneven terrain, and frequent lifting up to 80 pounds. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required.

The posting lists projected first-year earnings of $97,185 for NMAD, including weekly training and on-the-job training rates and guaranteed extra-board pay after OJT. Overtime may increase earnings. NMAD cash bonuses are listed as $5,569.22 after the first year and $3,712.81 after the second year. The posting also describes retention bonuses generally, with minimum amounts of $3,000 after one year and $2,000 after two years, subject to applicable agreement terms and work location. Applicants must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Hiring is contingent on passing drug testing, a medical exam, and a background check.

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.
• Safely report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Pass required assessments, a medical examination, a background check, and hair-follicle and urine drug tests.
• Meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Be able to perform the stated physical duties, including frequent lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Work safely to prevent on-the-job accidents and injuries.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Be available for a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shifts; new hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Be able to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer when required.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Comply with federal random drug and/or alcohol testing requirements.
• Be subject to the collective bargaining agreement; membership is required.
• Maintain an 85% passing average on training quizzes and tests to remain in training.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of outside work experience, such as construction, heavy-equipment operations, or farming; professional, personal, or 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 railcars 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.
• Monitor the surrounding area for 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.
• Cover outlying locations based on seniority.

Benefits

• Paid training.
• Hotel room provided for the four-week training period.
• $20 per day meal allowance during training.
• Reimbursement of roundtrip mileage between the hiring location and Atlanta at the IRS rate, as well as mileage between the training center and hotel.
• NMAD retention cash payments listed as $5,569.22 after the first year and $3,712.81 after the second year, subject to the applicable terms.
• The posting states that a benefits package is available and links to a benefits lookup; specific benefits are not listed.

What This Job Offers

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