Freight Conductor - Philadelphia, PA

CSX • Philadelphia, PA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

A 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 position requires compliance with railroad safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, signals, and train orders, as well as communication with customers and other transportation employees.

New hires attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center, followed by on-the-job training. 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 four-week training period, a $20 daily meal allowance, and roundtrip mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate between the hiring location and Atlanta, plus mileage between the training center and hotel.

New hire conductors are eligible for retention bonuses after their first and second years of service from promotion or qualification, subject to the applicable direct hire agreement. For the stated NMAD weekly locations, projected first-year earnings are $97,185, with potential additional earnings from overtime. The position requires living within or being willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered. Employment is contingent on passing a drug test, medical exam, and background check. 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 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 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 safely within two hours of notification.
• 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 comply with random drug and/or alcohol testing required by federal regulations.
• Meet the strict reporting-time requirements described in the disciplinary policy.
• Meet the physical requirements, including mounting and dismounting moving equipment; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, balancing, and climbing; working in cramped or awkward spaces; riding on the outside of rail equipment for extended periods; walking long distances over uneven terrain; demonstrating auditory and visual acuity; meeting FRA color vision and hearing requirements; and frequent lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Demonstrate verbal comprehension, clear communication, reasoning, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
• Pass a drug test (hair follicle and urine), medical exam, and background check.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of the posted location; relocation assistance is not offered.
• Attend and successfully complete four weeks of training in Atlanta, maintaining at least an 85% passing rate on quizzes and tests.
• Accept that the role is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and requires 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 on freight trains and place rail cars to facilitate 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, railroad signals, and train orders.
• Safely perform assigned job responsibilities and inspect equipment on 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 railcar 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 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.
• Cover outlying locations based on seniority.
• Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations.
• Advance to an engineer position when required, based on seniority.

Benefits

• Retention bonuses are available after the first and second years of service from promotion or qualification; amounts are subject to the applicable direct hire agreement.
• For NMAD weekly locations, the stated first-year bonus is $5,569.22 and the second-year bonus is $3,712.81.
• 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 between the training center and hotel.
• Guaranteed extra-board pay of $1,215.26 weekly after on-the-job training for the stated NMAD weekly locations.
• Potential additional earnings through overtime opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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