Rail Operator

Martin Marietta•Canon City, CO

1d•$27 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

The Rail Operator is a critical member of the Martin Marietta/Rock & Rail LLC logistics team, responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable movement of freight trains, aggregates, and materials within our quarry, plant, and yard rail networks. The Rail Operator oversees yard switching, railcar spotting, and tracking inventory compliance. This role requires strict adherence to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) guidelines, and Martin Marietta/ Rock & Rail LLC rigorous "Safety First" corporate culture. The objective is to facilitate seamless supply chain distribution while ensuring zero incidents in a highly demanding, safety-sensitive industrial environment.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or relevant experience
Valid State Driver’s License
1+ year of direct Railroad experience as a Rail Operator
Safety focused
Comply with all railroad rules, regulations, and instructions
Knowledge of machines and tools
Equipment maintenance
Inspection and maintenance procedures
Preventative maintenance procedures
Problem solving skills
Detail oriented
Time management
Effective communicator (written and spoken)

Nice To Haves

Vocational training or equivalent experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct and execute safe ground-level switching, coupling, and uncoupling operations of railcars to facilitate efficient material loading and unloading.
Manually align and operate track switches and derail devices, ensuring proper switch point alignment prior to authorizing train movements.
Safely ride on the exterior ladders and grab irons of moving rail equipment for extended periods during pushing and shoving movements.
Coordinate the exact spotting and staging of heavy aggregate cars at distribution yards, loading chutes, and under unloader mechanisms.
Ensure 100% compliance with all train orders, signals, railroad operating rules, FRA regulations, and MSHA standards.
Perform comprehensive physical inspections of railcars, air brake hoses, safety appliances, and couplings prior to train departure to detect defects.
Conduct routine field repairs on railcars as needed, including replacing broken knuckle couplers and swapping out worn air brake hoses.
Monitor track conditions for anomalies such as broken rails, debris, defective switches, or weather-related hazards to prevent derailments.
Act as the primary ground communicator, utilizing clear and precise radio transmissions, hand signals, and lantern signals to direct train speed and distance.
Review, interpret, and execute daily switch lists, bulletins, and work orders.
Maintain accurate paper or digital records of railcar movements, mechanical defect reports, tracking manifests, and billing handoffs.
Strictly enforce Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures when performing minor mechanical adjustments and assist in maintaining clean, debris-free rail paths.
Correctly wear and maintain all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including steel-toed boots, high-visibility vest, hard hat, and protective eyewear at all times.