Freight Conductor - Erwin, TN

CSX Transportation • Erwin, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Freight Conductor safely coordinates train crews on freight trains, places rail cars to facilitate 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, FRA regulations, signals, and train orders. Conductors inspect equipment, communicate by radio and telephone, interpret written operating materials, assist with railcar coupling and uncoupling, operate switches and remote-control locomotive equipment, and work with customers to ensure accurate car movement and placement.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center, followed by on-the-job training. Training includes classroom and computer-based instruction, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies. New hires must maintain an 85% average on quizzes and tests to remain in the program. CSX provides a hotel room for the four-week training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and reimbursement of eligible mileage at the IRS rate. New-hire conductors may receive retention bonuses after their first and second years of service, subject to the applicable agreement.

The position is based in Erwin, Tennessee, and employees must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location. Relocation assistance is not offered. Work may involve nonstandard hours, overtime, shift work, on-call assignments, nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees may need to report within two hours of notification, travel and remain away from their home terminal for 24 hours or longer, and cover outlying locations according to seniority. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required. Candidates must pass a drug test, medical exam, background check, required assessments, and safety rules examinations.

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 instructions, including operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• 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.
• Ability to report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Must pass a drug test, medical exam, background check, and all required assessments.
• Must comply with random drug and/or alcohol testing required by federal regulations.
• Must meet FRA color vision and hearing requirements.
• Must be able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and may need to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer.
• Must accept nonstandard workweeks, overtime, shift work, and on-call work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as determined by business needs and seniority.
• Must maintain an 85% passing rate on training quizzes and tests.
• Collective bargaining agreement governs the position, and membership is required.

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 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 meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Monitor the surrounding area for suspicious activity to help ensure 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 bonuses after the first and second years of service: minimum amounts of $3,000 and $2,000, respectively; CSRA bonus amounts are deferred to a 401(k).
• 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.
• 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