Freight Conductor - Philadelphia, PA

CSX Transportation • Philadelphia, PA

22h • Onsite

About The Position

A 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 includes inspecting rail equipment, handling cars and switches, communicating by radio and telephone, and working with customers and other transportation employees to ensure safe and accurate movement of rail cars.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center. Training combines classroom and computer-based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies. Trainees must maintain at least an 85% average on quizzes and tests to remain in the program. CSX provides a hotel room and a $20-per-day meal allowance during training, and reimburses roundtrip mileage between the hiring location and Atlanta at the IRS rate, as well as mileage between the training center and hotel. On-the-job training begins after successful completion of the training program.

New hire conductors may receive retention bonuses after their first and second years of service. For the listed NMAD weekly locations, projected first-year earnings are $97,185; training, on-the-job training, and post-training guaranteed extra-board weekly rates are specified in the posting. Overtime may increase earnings. The role requires living within, or being willing to relocate within, 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Applicants must pass a drug test, medical exam, background check, and required assessments. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and requires membership.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old.
• 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 on-the-job accidents and injuries.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Be available for a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shifts; new hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Be able to report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Be able to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer when required.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Pass required assessments and a pre-employment drug test, medical exam, and background check; federal rules also require random drug and/or alcohol testing.
• Meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Be able to safely mount and dismount moving equipment; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, and climb; work in cramped or awkward spaces; ride outside rail equipment for extended periods; walk long distances over uneven terrain; and lift up to 80 pounds frequently.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Meet the collective bargaining agreement's membership requirement.
• Have verbal comprehension, clear communication, reasoning, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.

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, 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 rail cars, identifying customer needs and meeting or exceeding expectations.
• Remain aware 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 related 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 may be paid after the first and second years of service; amounts vary by work location and are subject to the applicable direct-hire agreement.
• 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.
• Guaranteed extra-board pay after on-the-job training, as specified for NMAD weekly locations.
• Overtime opportunities may increase earnings.
• The company states that it offers a competitive compensation and benefits package and opportunities for development and growth; detailed benefits information is linked in the posting.

What This Job Offers

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