Freight Conductor - Charleston, SC

CSX Transportation • Charleston, SC

6h • 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 requires compliance with railroad and safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, signals, and train orders. Conductors inspect rail equipment, communicate by radio and telephone, interpret written operating materials, assist with railcar connections and minor repairs, and work with customers to ensure accurate car movement and placement. They may operate locomotive equipment using a remote-control device.

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 an 85% passing rate on quizzes and tests. CSX provides a hotel room for the training period, a $20-per-day meal allowance, and reimbursement of eligible mileage at the IRS rate. New hires must pass a drug test, medical exam, background check, and required assessments. The position requires living within or relocating to within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.

The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and requires membership. Work may include nonstandard schedules, overtime, and various shifts. New hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays, and must be able to report within two hours of notification. Travel away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer may be required. The posting projects first-year earnings of $97,185 for CSRA, with potential for higher earnings through overtime. CSRA 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.

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 drug test, medical exam, background check, and all required assessments.
• Be able to safely report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Work safely to prevent on-the-job accidents and injuries.
• Comply with random drug and/or alcohol testing required by federal regulations.
• Meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Be able to work on-call and variable shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime, as scheduling and seniority require.
• Be willing and able to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer if required.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Be able to perform the stated physical duties, including mounting and dismounting moving equipment, working in confined or awkward spaces, walking long distances over uneven terrain, and frequent lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Be able to report within the required time limit; the posting notes a strict disciplinary policy for failure to do so.
• Accept that the position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and that membership is 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

• 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 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 customer service that meets or exceeds expectations.
• Maintain awareness of the surrounding area and suspicious activity to support rail safety.
• Operate locomotive equipment using a remote-control device.
• Comprehend color and 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 assigned by a manager.
• Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations.
• Cover outlying locations based on seniority and advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority.

Benefits

• Four weeks of paid training.
• Hotel room provided for the full 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.
• CSRA retention bonuses deferred to 401(k): $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year, subject to applicable terms.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package; benefits details are referred to an external benefits lookup page.
• Overtime opportunities may increase earnings.

What This Job Offers

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