Freight Conductor - Bruceton, TN

CSX Transportation • Bruceton, TN

6h • 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 requires compliance with railroad and safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, signals, and train orders. Conductors inspect rail equipment, communicate by radio and telephone, interpret written instructions, assist with railcar coupling and uncoupling, operate switches and remote-control locomotive equipment, and work with customers to ensure accurate car movement and placement.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center in Atlanta, Georgia, followed immediately by on-the-job training after successful completion. Trainees must maintain an 85% passing 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 reimbursement for specified mileage. New hire conductors may receive retention bonuses upon completing their first and second years of service, subject to the applicable agreement. The position requires living within or relocating to within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not provided.

The work may involve nonstandard schedules, overtime, rotating shifts, on-call availability, nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees must be able to report within two hours of notification, may travel and remain away from their home terminal for 24 hours or longer, and work outdoors in varying weather. The role is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required. Employees may be required to advance to an engineer position based on seniority.

Requirements

• At least 18 years of age.
• One year of related experience.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Ability to read and comprehend operating instructions, rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to safely report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Ability to work a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shifts, including on-call work, nights, weekends, and holidays, as required by seniority and operational needs.
• Ability to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer when required.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations and required assessments.
• Must pass a drug test (hair follicle and urine), medical examination, and background check; federal regulations also require random drug and/or alcohol testing.
• Must wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Must meet applicable FRA color vision and hearing requirements.
• Must safely mount and dismount moving equipment; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, and climb; work in cramped or awkward spaces; ride on rail equipment; walk long distances over uneven terrain; and lift up to 80 pounds frequently.
• Must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required.
• Must advance to an engineer position when required based on seniority.
• Must pass assessments of verbal comprehension, communication, and reasoning/problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of outside work experience, such as construction, heavy equipment operations, or farming; experience may be professional, personal, or volunteer.
• Experience working in a safety-sensitive environment.
• 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 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 railcars, 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 expectations.
• Monitor the surrounding area for safety hazards and suspicious activity.
• 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 assigned by the manager.
• Attend and complete required training and pass safety rules examinations.
• Cover outlying locations based on seniority.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses of at least $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year, subject to the applicable direct-hire agreement; the CSRA section specifies these bonuses are deferred to a 401(k).
• Four weeks of paid training.
• Hotel room provided during the four-week Atlanta training period.
• $20 per day meal allowance during training.
• Round-trip mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate between the hiring location and Atlanta, plus mileage between the training center and hotel.
• Projected first-year earnings of $97,185; overtime opportunities may increase earnings.
• Guaranteed extra-board pay after on-the-job training of $2,430.52 bi-weekly.

What This Job Offers

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