Freight Conductor - Chattanooga, TN

CSX • Chattanooga, TN

2d • Onsite

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, or similar locations. The role requires compliance with railroad safety rules and Federal Railroad Administration regulations, communication with other transportation employees, customers, and crews, and the ability to work safely in changing outdoor conditions.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Training includes 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. Successful completion is followed immediately by on-the-job training. CSX provides a hotel room for the four-week training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and reimbursement of roundtrip mileage between the hiring location and Atlanta at the IRS rate, as well as mileage between the training center and hotel.

The projected first-year earnings for the CSRA location are $97,185, with potential for higher earnings through overtime. Pay rates listed include $2,457.56 bi-weekly during training in Atlanta, $2,949.06 bi-weekly during on-the-job training, and guaranteed extra-board pay of $2,430.52 bi-weekly after OJT. 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. The position is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the employee must live or be willing to relocate within 50 miles; relocation assistance is not offered.

Candidates must pass a drug test, medical examination, and background check. The role is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required. Work may involve on-call assignments, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, varying shifts, travel, and being away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer.

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.
• Pass a hair follicle and urine drug test, medical examination, and background check.
• 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 report safely to work within two hours of notification.
• Pass required assessments and annual safety rules examinations and maintain an 85% passing rate on training quizzes and tests.
• Meet Federal Railroad Administration color vision and hearing requirements.
• Meet the physical requirements of the role, including frequent lifting of up to 80 pounds.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Be available for a nonstandard workweek, overtime, varying shifts, on-call work, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Be able to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer when required.
• Be willing to undergo random drug and/or alcohol testing as required by federal regulations.
• Comply with the collective bargaining agreement; membership is required.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of outside work experience, such as construction, heavy equipment operations, or farming; professional, personal, or volunteer experience may qualify.
• Experience working in a safety-sensitive environment.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Comply with railroad and safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration 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 and provide excellent customer service.
• 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.
• Cover outlying locations based on seniority.
• Advance to an engineer position when required, 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, plus mileage between the training center and hotel.

What This Job Offers

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