Freight Conductor - Bronx, NY

CSX • New York City, 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 requires compliance with railroad and safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, signals, and train orders. Conductors may operate locomotive equipment using a remote-control device and work with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of rail cars.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center, combining classroom and computer-based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies. Trainees must maintain an 85% average on quizzes and tests to remain in the program. CSX provides a hotel room for the training period, a $20-per-day meal allowance, and reimbursement for qualifying mileage. On-the-job training begins after successful completion of the training center program.

The job is based in the Bronx, NY area. Employees must live within, or be willing to relocate within, 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Depending on business needs, applicants may be placed in a hiring pipeline. Work schedules may include nonstandard weeks, overtime, shifts, on-call work, nights, weekends, and holidays. New hires primarily work on-call, with schedules based on seniority, and must be able to report within two hours of being notified. Travel may be required, including being away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer.

Projected first-year earnings for NMAD weekly locations are $97,185. Rates listed include $1,228.78 per week during training in Atlanta, $1,474.53 per week during on-the-job training, and guaranteed extra-board pay of $1,215.26 per week after OJT. The posting states that overtime may increase earnings. NMAD bonuses are listed as $5,569.22 in the first year and $3,712.81 in the second year. New hires must pass a drug test, medical exam, and background check. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required.

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 rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Must pass a drug test, medical exam, background check, and required assessments.
• Must be able to safely report to work within two hours of notification.
• Must meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Must be able to work safely and complete the role's physical requirements.
• Must complete annual training and pass safety-rules examinations.
• Must comply with random drug and/or alcohol testing required by federal regulations.
• Must be willing to work a nonstandard schedule, overtime, and various shifts, including on-call work, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Must be a member of the collective bargaining agreement as required.

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

• Comply with railroad and safety rules, FRA regulations, railroad signals, and train orders.
• Safely perform all job responsibilities and maintain awareness of the surrounding area and suspicious activity.
• 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 rail cars, operate switches, and make minor rail-car repairs, including replacing heavy couplings or air-brake hoses.
• Work with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of rail cars, identifying and meeting or exceeding customer needs.
• Operate locomotive equipment using a remote-control device.
• Comprehend and respond to 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 as assigned by the manager.
• Complete annual training and pass safety-rules examinations.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses after the first and second years of service, subject to the applicable direct-hire agreement; the posting gives a minimum of $3,000 after year one and $2,000 after year two, and separately lists NMAD bonuses of $5,569.22 in the first year and $3,712.81 in the second year.
• Four weeks of paid training.
• Hotel room provided for 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, plus mileage between the training center and hotel.
• Overtime opportunities may increase earnings.

What This Job Offers

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