Freight Conductor - Mobile, AL

CSX Transportation • Mobile, AL

6h • Onsite

About The Position

A 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 role involves following railroad and safety rules, FRA regulations, signals, and train orders; inspecting equipment; communicating by radio and telephone; handling railcars and switches; and serving customers. Conductors may operate locomotive equipment using a remote-control device and may be required to advance to an engineer position based on seniority.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center. Training combines classroom and computer-based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies. Trainees must maintain an 85% passing rate on quizzes and tests; failing to do so results in release from the program and rescission of the offer. CSX provides a hotel room, a $20 daily meal allowance, and mileage reimbursement under the stated terms. On-the-job training begins after successful completion of the Atlanta training.

The position requires living within or relocating to within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Work hours may include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and varied shifts. New hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays, 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, and cover outlying locations based on seniority. The role is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and requires membership. Candidates must pass a drug test, medical exam, background check, and required assessments; federal regulations also require random drug and/or alcohol testing. CSX describes its commitment to employee development, workplace safety, diversity, and competitive compensation and benefits.

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.
• Safely perform the physical and operational requirements of the role, including frequent lifting up to 80 pounds, walking long distances over uneven terrain, climbing and mounting or dismounting equipment, and riding on the outside of rail equipment for extended periods.
• Meet FRA color-vision and hearing requirements and demonstrate auditory and visual acuity, tracking, and inspection ability.
• Wear CSX-approved protective equipment, including a high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Be able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and in cramped, confined, enclosed, or awkward places.
• Be available for nonstandard workweeks, overtime, varied shifts, and—particularly for new hires—on-call work, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Be able to report to work within two hours of notification and potentially travel or remain away from the home terminal for 24 hours or longer.
• Pass required assessments, a drug test (hair follicle and urine), medical exam, and background check; comply with federally required random drug and/or alcohol testing.
• Complete annual training and pass safety-rules examinations.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Accept the collective bargaining agreement and required membership.

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

• Safely coordinate train crews and place rail cars for loading and unloading; make up and break down trains in rail yards, customer facilities, and similar locations.
• Comply with railroad and safety rules, FRA regulations, signals, and train orders.
• Safely perform all job responsibilities and 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 provide excellent customer service by identifying and meeting or exceeding customer needs.
• Maintain awareness 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 signaling 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.
• Report to work within two hours of being notified and cover outlying locations based on seniority.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses of at least $3,000 after the first year and $2,000 after the second year, subject to the applicable direct-hire agreement; the CSRA section states these bonuses are deferred to a 401(k).
• Four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center.
• 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 refers applicants to a separate benefits lookup for benefit details.
• The closing statement says CSX offers a competitive compensation and benefits package and opportunities for development and growth.

What This Job Offers

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