Freight Conductor - Cleveland, OH

CSX • Cleveland, OH

2d • 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 involves following railroad safety rules and regulations, inspecting equipment, communicating by radio and telephone, working with customers, and operating switches and 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. Trainees 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 for qualifying round-trip mileage. The position may involve a hiring pipeline depending on business needs.

The role requires living within, or being willing to relocate within, 50 miles of Cleveland, Ohio. Relocation assistance is not offered. New hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays, with work hours determined by seniority. Employees may need to report within two hours of notification and may be required to travel and stay away from their home terminal for 24 hours or longer. 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 instructions, including operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Have proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Work safely to prevent on-the-job accidents and injuries.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, such as 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 report to work within two hours of being notified.
• 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 and maintain the required 85% average during training.
• Submit to random drug and/or alcohol testing as required by federal regulations.
• Pass a drug test, medical examination, and background check.
• 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 cramped or awkward spaces; riding outside rail equipment for extended periods; walking long distances on uneven terrain; and frequent lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Be able to safely perform duties requiring auditory and visual acuity, tracking, and inspection.
• Have verbal comprehension, clear communication, reasoning, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location.
• Be a member as required by the collective bargaining agreement.

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.
• A 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.
• 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 bonus after the first year of service; the minimum stated amount is $3,000, subject to the applicable direct-hire agreement and potentially varying by work location.
• Retention bonus after the second year of service; the minimum stated amount is $2,000, subject to the applicable direct-hire agreement and potentially varying by work location.
• For NMAD biweekly locations, stated first-year earnings are projected at $97,185, with potential for more through overtime.
• For NMAD, a first-year cash payment of $5,569.22 and a second-year cash payment of $3,712.81 are listed.
• Four weeks of paid training.
• Hotel room provided for the four-week training period.
• $20 per day meal allowance during training.
• Round-trip mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate between the hiring location and Atlanta, and mileage reimbursement between the training center and hotel.
• CSX states it offers a competitive compensation and benefits package and opportunities for employee development and growth; specific benefits information is linked in the posting.

What This Job Offers

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