Freight Conductor - Charleston, SC

CSX•Charleston, SC

About The Position

A 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 position requires compliance with railroad safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, signals, and train orders, along with communication with transportation employees and customers. New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. Successful completion is followed immediately by on-the-job training. The employer provides a hotel room for the four-week training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and reimburses roundtrip mileage between the hiring location and Atlanta at the IRS rate, as well as mileage between the training center and hotel. The role is based in the Charleston, South Carolina area. Applicants must live within, or be willing to relocate within, 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Work may involve nonstandard hours, overtime, varied shifts, on-call assignments, nights, weekends, holidays, 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. This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required. The posting lists projected first-year earnings of $97,185 for the CSRA location. New-hire conductors may receive retention bonuses deferred to a 401(k): a minimum of $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year, subject to the applicable agreement and work location. Training and post-training pay rates are also specified in the posting. Candidates must pass a hair follicle and urine drug test, medical exam, and background check. Federal regulations also require random drug and/or alcohol testing.

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 a hair follicle and urine drug test, medical exam, and background check.
Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations.
Be able to report to work safely within two hours of being notified.
Meet applicable Federal Railroad Administration color vision and hearing requirements.
Comply with federal random drug and/or alcohol testing requirements.
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.
Work hours may include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and varied 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.
Maintain an 85% passing rate on training quizzes and tests.
Be able to mount and dismount moving equipment; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, and climb; work in cramped, confined, enclosed, or awkward spaces; ride on the outside of rail equipment for extended periods; walk long distances over uneven terrain for extended periods; demonstrate auditory and visual acuity, tracking, and inspection ability; and frequently lift up to 80 pounds.
Meet basic competencies in verbal comprehension, communication, reasoning, problem solving, and troubleshooting.
Accept the position's collective bargaining agreement requirements, including required membership.

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, Federal Railroad Administration 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 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.
Maintain awareness 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.
Perform other activities and responsibilities as assigned by the manager.
Advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority.

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 work location.
Four weeks of paid training.
Hotel room provided during 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.
The REDI Cafe offers lunch options at a standardized cost of $7 plus tax on class days.

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