Freight Conductor - Montgomery, AL

CSX • Montgomery, AL

2d • Onsite

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 role requires compliance with railroad and safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, signals, and train orders. Conductors work with customers and other transportation employees to move and place cars accurately and provide good customer service.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center in Atlanta, Georgia, followed immediately by on-the-job training after successfully completing the program. Training includes classroom and computer-based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies. New hires must maintain an 85% average on quizzes and tests to remain in training. CSX provides a hotel room during the training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and reimbursement for eligible mileage.

The position requires living within, or being willing to relocate within, 50 miles of the posted location. Relocation assistance is not offered. Work schedules may include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shifts; new hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees may need to report within two hours of notification, travel and be away from their home terminal for 24 hours or longer, and cover outlying locations based on seniority. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and requires membership. Candidates must pass a drug test, medical exam, and background check. Federal regulations also require random drug and alcohol testing.

Projected first-year earnings are $97,185. Training pay is $2,457.56 biweekly, on-the-job training pay is $2,949.06 biweekly, and guaranteed extra-board pay after on-the-job training is $2,430.52 biweekly. Overtime may increase earnings. 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 and potentially varying by location.

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.
• Work safely to prevent workplace accidents and injuries.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Be able to safely report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Pass required assessments, a drug test, a medical exam, and a background check.
• Meet FRA color vision and hearing requirements.
• Meet the physical requirements of the position, including mounting and dismounting moving equipment; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, balancing, and climbing; working in cramped, confined, enclosed, or awkward places; riding on the outside of rail equipment for extended periods; walking long distances over uneven terrain; and frequently lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Maintain the required 85% passing average on training quizzes and tests.
• Comply with random drug and alcohol testing requirements.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Be a member under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

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.
• A valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Safely coordinate train crews on freight trains and place rail cars to facilitate loading and unloading.
• Make up and break down trains in rail yards, customer facilities, and similar locations.
• Comply with railroad and safety rules, FRA regulations, railroad signals, and train orders.
• 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 identify and meet or exceed customer needs.
• Maintain awareness of the surrounding area and suspicious activity to ensure 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.
• 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

• Retention bonuses deferred to a 401(k): $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year, subject to applicable terms.
• 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, and mileage reimbursement between the training center and hotel.
• Potential overtime earnings.

What This Job Offers

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