Freight Conductor - Cayce, SC

CSX • Cayce, SC

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Freight Conductor safely coordinates train crews on freight trains, places 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 safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, signals, and train orders. Conductors inspect rail equipment, communicate by radio and telephone, interpret written operating materials, handle rail-car connections and switches, support 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, followed immediately by on-the-job training after successful completion. Training combines classroom and computer-based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies. Trainees must maintain an 85% passing rate on quizzes and tests or their offer may be rescinded. CSX provides a hotel for the four-week training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and mileage reimbursement under the terms described in the posting.

The position is based in the Cayce, South Carolina area (CSRA). Applicants must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Work hours may include nonstandard weeks, overtime, and varying shifts. New hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays, based on seniority, 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, cover outlying locations, and advance to engineer when required based on seniority. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and requires membership.

Projected first-year earnings in CSRA are $97,185, based on average new-hire conductor earnings in 2023; earnings could be higher with overtime. The posting lists biweekly rates for training, on-the-job training, and guaranteed extra-board pay. Retention bonuses are deferred to the 401(k): $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year, subject to applicable terms. Hiring is contingent on passing a hair-follicle and urine drug test, medical examination, background check, and required assessments.

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 instructions, rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Have proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Pass a drug test (hair follicle and urine), medical exam, background check, and required assessments.
• Maintain an 85% passing rate on training quizzes and tests.
• Be able to report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Be willing and able to work nonstandard hours, overtime, varying shifts, and on-call schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays as assigned by seniority.
• Be able to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer and cover outlying locations based on seniority.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Be able to perform the listed physical demands, including frequent lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Comply with random drug and/or alcohol testing required by federal regulations.
• Be willing to advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority.
• Join the collective bargaining agreement membership required for the position.

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 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.
• Remain aware of the surrounding area and 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.
• Work safely to prevent on-the-job accidents and injuries.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses deferred to 401(k): a minimum of $3,000 after one year and $2,000 after two years, 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 reimbursed at the IRS rate between the hiring location and Atlanta, and mileage between the training center and hotel.
• Guaranteed extra-board pay after on-the-job training, as specified for CSRA.

What This Job Offers

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