Freight Conductor - New Castle, PA

CSX • New Castle, PA

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 involves following railroad and safety rules and federal regulations, inspecting rail equipment, communicating by radio and telephone, handling rail cars and switches, working with customers, and using remote-control locomotive equipment.

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 four-week training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and reimbursement of roundtrip mileage between the hiring location and Atlanta, plus mileage between the training center and hotel. On-the-job training starts after successful completion of training.

The posting lists projected first-year earnings of $97,185 for NMAD weekly locations, with possible additional earnings from overtime. Training, on-the-job training, and guaranteed extra-board weekly rates are specified in the posting. Eligible new hires may receive retention bonuses after their first and second years of service; the stated NMAD bonus amounts are $5,569.22 in the first year and $3,712.81 in the second year. The position requires living within, or relocating to, 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Hiring is contingent on passing a hair-follicle and urine drug test, medical examination, and background check. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required.

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 operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Have proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• 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 available for a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shifts; new hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Be able to safely report to work within two hours of notification.
• Be able to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer if required.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Pass required assessments, a medical examination, a background check, and hair-follicle and urine drug tests; comply with random drug and/or alcohol testing required by federal regulations.
• Meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Meet physical requirements including mounting and dismounting moving equipment; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, balancing, and climbing; working in confined or awkward spaces; riding outside rail equipment for extended periods; walking long distances over uneven terrain; demonstrating auditory and visual acuity, tracking, and inspection ability; and frequent lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Maintain an 85% passing rate on training quizzes and tests to remain in training.
• Be a member of the collective bargaining agreement.

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

• Comply with railroad and safety rules, FRA regulations, railroad signals, and train orders.
• Safely perform all job responsibilities.
• Inspect equipment on rail cars before departure.
• Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone.
• Read and understand bulletins, work orders, and switch lists.
• Assist with coupling and uncoupling rail 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 by identifying and meeting or exceeding customer needs.
• Remain aware of the surrounding area and suspicious activity to 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.
• Attend and successfully complete initial training and ongoing annual training and pass safety-rules examinations.
• Report to work within the required time when notified, including being able to report within two hours.
• Cover outlying locations based on seniority and advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses after the first and second years of service, subject to the applicable direct-hire agreement.
• Four weeks of paid training.
• Hotel room provided during 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 mileage reimbursement between the training center and hotel.
• Guaranteed extra-board pay after on-the-job training, as stated for NMAD weekly locations.

What This Job Offers

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