Freight Conductor - Miami, FL

CSX • Miami, FL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

A Freight Conductor safely coordinates train crews on freight trains, positions 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-car equipment, communicate by radio and telephone, interpret written operating materials, assist with car coupling and uncoupling and minor rail-car repairs, coordinate movements and placement with customers, and may operate locomotive equipment using 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. CSX provides a hotel room for the training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and reimburses roundtrip mileage between the hiring location and Atlanta and between the training center and hotel at the IRS rate. On-the-job training begins after successful completion of the center training.

The posting projects first-year earnings of $97,185 for the CSRA location. Training pay is $2,457.56 bi-weekly in Atlanta, on-the-job training pay is $2,949.06 bi-weekly, and guaranteed extra-board pay after OJT is $2,430.52 bi-weekly. The listed average earnings for new-hire conductors in 2023 were $97,185, with potential additional earnings through overtime. CSRA bonuses are deferred to a 401(k): $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year. New hires 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 hair follicle and urine drug test, medical exam, and background check. Depending on business needs, applicants may be placed in a hiring pipeline.

Work may involve a nonstandard workweek, 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. Employees may travel and be away from their home terminal for 24 hours or longer, work outdoors in varying weather, complete annual training and safety examinations, and cover outlying locations based on seniority. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and requires membership. Advancement to engineer may be required based on seniority.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• One year of related experience.
• High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution.
• Ability to read and comprehend operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Must pass a hair follicle and urine drug test, medical exam, background check, and all required assessments.
• Must maintain an 85% passing rate on quizzes and tests during training.
• Must safely report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Must meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Must be able to perform the physical requirements, including frequent lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Must complete annual training and pass safety-rules examinations; federal regulations 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 live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Must accept collective bargaining agreement coverage and membership requirements.

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 rail-car repairs, including replacing heavy couplings or air-brake hoses.
• Work with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of cars and meet or exceed customer 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.
• Perform other activities and responsibilities as assigned by the manager.
• Complete annual training and pass safety-rules examinations.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses deferred to a 401(k): $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year, subject to applicable agreement terms and potentially varying by work location.
• 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 between the training center and hotel.
• Guaranteed extra-board pay after on-the-job training.

What This Job Offers

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