Freight Conductor - New Castle, PA

CSX Transportation • New Castle, PA

22h

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 involves following railroad and safety rules, inspecting equipment, communicating by radio and telephone, handling rail cars and switches, providing customer service, and operating locomotive equipment with a remote control device.

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

The posting gives projected first-year earnings of $97,185 for the stated NMAD weekly locations, with potential additional earnings from overtime. It also describes retention bonus payments after the first and second years of service; bonus amounts vary according to the applicable terms and location. Applicants must live within, or be willing to relocate within, 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Hiring requires passing a drug test, medical exam, background check, and required assessments. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required.

Requirements

• At least 18 years of age.
• One year of related experience.
• High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution.
• Ability to read and comprehend operating instructions, rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work safely and pass all required assessments.
• Ability to report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Ability to work nonstandard hours, overtime, and various shifts; new hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer when required.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to pass a drug test, medical exam, and background check; federal regulations also require random drug and/or alcohol testing.
• Must wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Must be able to mount and dismount moving equipment; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, and climb; work in cramped or awkward spaces; ride on the outside of rail equipment for extended periods; and walk long distances over uneven terrain.
• Must demonstrate auditory and visual acuity, tracking, and inspection ability, and meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Frequent lifting of up to 80 pounds.
• Must join the collective bargaining agreement membership.
• Must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.

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.
• 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, identifying and meeting or exceeding customer needs.
• 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 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 bonus after the first year of service; the posting states a minimum of $3,000, while the NMAD section lists a first-year cash payment of $5,569.22.
• Retention bonus after the second year of service; the posting states a minimum of $2,000, while the NMAD section lists a second-year cash payment of $3,712.81.
• Four weeks of paid training.
• Hotel room provided for the four-week training period.
• $20 per day meal allowance during training.
• Eligible roundtrip mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate between the hiring location and Atlanta, and mileage between the training center and hotel.
• The company states it offers a competitive compensation and benefits package; specific benefits are not detailed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

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