Freight Conductor - Detroit, MI

CSX Transportation • Detroit, MI

1d

About The Position

A Freight Conductor safely coordinates train crews on freight trains, places rail cars to facilitate loading and unloading, and makes up and breaks down trains in rail yards, customer facilities, and similar locations. The role involves following railroad and safety rules, inspecting equipment, communicating by radio and telephone, operating switches and locomotive equipment with a remote-control device, and working with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of cars.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by on-the-job training. CSX provides a hotel room during the four-week training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and reimbursement of qualifying mileage at the IRS rate. Trainees must maintain an 85% average on quizzes and tests to remain in the program. Work hours may involve shifts, overtime, and a nonstandard workweek; new hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees must be able to report within two hours of being notified and may need to travel or be away from their home terminal for 24 hours or longer. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required.

The posting lists projected first-year earnings of $97,185 for NMAD, with training, on-the-job training, and guaranteed extra-board biweekly rates specified. It also lists NMAD cash payments of $5,569.22 after the first year and $3,712.81 after the second year. New hires are eligible for retention bonuses after their first and second years of service, subject to the applicable direct-hire agreement. Applicants must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Hiring is contingent on passing a drug test, medical exam, and background check.

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.
• Pass a drug test, medical exam, background check, and all required assessments.
• Be able to safely report to work within two hours of notification.
• Work hours may include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shifts; new hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Be able to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer if required.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Comply with random drug and/or alcohol testing required by federal regulations.
• Meet physical requirements, including mounting and dismounting moving equipment; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, balancing, and climbing; working in cramped or awkward places; riding outside rail equipment for extended periods; walking long distances over uneven terrain; meeting visual, color-vision, and hearing requirements; and frequent lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Be able to understand oral and written communications, provide clear instructions and directions, and use reasoning to solve problems and troubleshoot.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Accept the collective bargaining agreement and required membership.

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

• 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, identify customer needs, and meet or exceed 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/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.
• Work safely to prevent on-the-job accidents and injuries.
• Complete annual training and pass safety-rules examinations.
• Cover outlying locations based on seniority.
• Advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority.

Benefits

• Retention bonus payments after the first and second years of service, 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.
• Reimbursement at the IRS rate for roundtrip mileage between the hiring location and Atlanta, and for mileage between the training center and hotel.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package; specific benefits are not detailed in the posting.
• Opportunities for development and growth.

What This Job Offers

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