Freight Conductor - Chattanooga, TN

CSX Transportation • Chattanooga, TN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Freight Conductor safely coordinates train crews on freight trains, places rail cars for loading and unloading, and makes up and breaks down trains in rail yards, customer facilities, and similar locations. The position requires compliance with railroad safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, signals, and train orders. Conductors inspect equipment, communicate by radio and telephone, interpret written operating materials, assist with car coupling and uncoupling and minor railcar repairs, support customers with accurate car movement and placement, monitor their surroundings, and operate locomotive equipment using a remote control device.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center, followed by on-the-job training. CSX provides a hotel room for the four-week training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate for specified travel. Trainees must maintain an 85% passing rate on quizzes and tests. New hire conductors may receive retention bonuses after their first and second years of service, deferred to a 401(k), subject to applicable terms.

The role requires living or being willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Work may involve an irregular workweek, overtime, varied shifts, on-call assignments, nights, weekends, and holidays. New hires must be able to report within two hours of notification and may travel or be 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 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 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, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Be able to report to work within two hours of notification.
• Pass required assessments and the stated drug test, medical exam, and background check.
• Meet color vision and hearing requirements described in FRA regulations.
• Comply with random drug and/or alcohol testing required by federal regulations.
• Be willing to work nonstandard hours, overtime, varied shifts, and primarily on-call, night, weekend, and holiday assignments as a new hire.
• Be willing to travel and be away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer when required.
• Be willing to cover outlying locations based on seniority.
• Meet the physical requirements of the role, including frequent lifting of up to 80 pounds.
• Be willing to hold membership under the position's 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.
• A 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 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 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 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.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses of at least $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year, deferred to a 401(k) and subject to applicable agreement terms.
• 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.
• Guaranteed extra-board pay after on-the-job training, as stated in the posting.

What This Job Offers

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