Freight Conductor - Florence, SC

CSX Transportation • Florence, SC

3h • Onsite

About The Position

A Freight Conductor safely coordinates train crews on freight trains, places rail cars to facilitate customer loading and unloading, and makes up and breaks down trains in rail yards, customer facilities, or similar locations. The role involves complying with railroad safety rules and regulations, inspecting equipment, communicating by radio and telephone, operating switches and locomotive equipment with a remote-control device, and working with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of cars.

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 training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and mileage reimbursement under the terms described in the posting. On-the-job training begins after successful completion of the training center program.

The posting projects first-year earnings of $97,185 for the CSRA location. Pay rates during training and after on-the-job training are provided in the posting, and overtime may increase earnings. New-hire conductors are eligible for retention bonuses after their first and second years of service; the CSRA-specific bonuses are deferred to a 401(k). Candidates must live within, or be willing to relocate within, 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. The role requires passing a drug test, medical exam, background check, and required assessments. Work schedules may include on-call assignments, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and varied shifts. Employees may need to report within two hours of notification, travel or be away from their home terminal for 24 hours or longer, and cover outlying locations based on seniority. The position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, with membership 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 instructions, rules, bulletins, regulatory documents, and other written communications.
• Have proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Pass required assessments, a drug test, medical exam, and background check.
• Safely report to work within two hours of being notified.
• Meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements.
• Be able to safely perform the physical requirements of the role.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Be available for nonstandard workweeks, overtime, and varied shifts; new hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Be able to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer when required.
• Be able to live within or relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing under federal regulations.
• Meet the position's attendance requirements; the posting notes a strict disciplinary policy for failure to report within the required time limit.
• Accept a position governed by a collective bargaining agreement, with membership 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.
• A valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with railroad and safety rules, FRA regulations, 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.
• Remain aware 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 systems.
• Review instructions from yardmasters, dispatchers, and other transportation employees, and discuss them with the locomotive engineer.
• Complete miscellaneous activities and responsibilities 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; CSRA bonuses 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.
• Roundtrip mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate between the hiring location and Atlanta, and mileage reimbursement between the training center and hotel.
• The posting states CSX offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, but directs applicants to an external benefits lookup for details.

What This Job Offers

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