Freight Conductor - Jacksonville, FL

CSX Transportation • Jacksonville, FL

3d • 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, and similar locations. The role includes inspecting rail-car equipment, operating switches and locomotive equipment using a remote-control device, communicating by radio and telephone, and coordinating with customers and transportation employees. Conductors must comply with railroad safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, signals, and train orders.

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 four-week period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and reimbursement for eligible mileage. On-the-job training begins after successful completion of classroom training.

The posting projects first-year earnings of $97,185 for the CSRA location. Training, on-the-job training, and post-training extra-board pay are stated as biweekly rates. Conductors may earn more through overtime. Retention bonuses are offered after the first and second years of service; the stated amounts are $3,000 after year one and $2,000 after year two, deferred to a 401(k), subject to applicable terms.

Candidates must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. New hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays, with hours based on seniority. The job may involve overtime, varying shifts, travel, and being away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer. Employees must be able to report within two hours of notification. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and membership is required.

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 operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Have proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Pass required assessments, a drug test, a medical exam, and a background check.
• Be able to safely report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Meet Federal Railroad Administration color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Be able to safely perform the physical duties of the position, including frequent lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions and on a nonstandard schedule that may include overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Be available for travel and potential periods of 24 hours or longer away from the home terminal.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Be able to work under a collective bargaining agreement, for which membership is required.

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

• 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 departure.
• 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 provide customer service that meets or exceeds 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 hand signals and related 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.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses of $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year, deferred to a 401(k), subject to applicable terms.
• Four weeks of paid training.
• Hotel room provided during the four-week training period.
• $20 per day meal allowance during training.
• Reimbursement at the IRS rate for roundtrip mileage between the hiring location and Atlanta, and for 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