Track Laborer (Alaska Railroad)

State of Alaska • Railbelt, AK

18h • Onsite

About The Position

This is an FRA-covered position. FRA-covered employees are those employees who have been assigned to perform regulated services as roadway workers and are therefore subject to the random pool for monthly drug and alcohol testing. The purpose of this position is to build, maintain, and repair railroad track while working as a member of a crew or gang under the direction of a foreman, leader, or supervisor.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Must be able to work safely with heavy tools and equipment.
• Must be able to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions in English.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• To be considered a valid driver's license, an employee must maintain a continuous three-year period free of any Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Operating Under the Influence (OUI) convictions.
• Must be able to walk 3 to 8 miles a day in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to climb onto and off of rail cars.
• Must be able to safely utilize hand tools including, but not limited to, sledge hammers, spike mauls, shovels, and picks.
• Must be able to lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds.
• Exerts heavy physical effort including lifting, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, carrying, climbing, twisting/turning and positioning track ties and other extremely heavy objects.
• Requires extended periods of standing, sitting, and walking on uneven terrain.
• Must wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including eyewear, hearing protection, gloves, hard hats, safety toed boots, and other PPE as required and provided.

Nice To Haves

• Six (6) months of heavy manual labor experience is preferred (i.e., construction work, warehouse work).
• A solid work history is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Removes snow, mud, ice and rock on rail bed, in tunnels, and culverts caused by slides, washouts, and other climatic conditions using picks and shovels.
• Uses hand tools, power tools, and mechanical equipment for installing and adjusting rail, ties, culverts, switches, and other track components, maintaining existing track to meet safety standards.
• Levels rail by shimming or tamping sand, gravel, crushed rock, or other ballast material under low ties, using hand tamps or power tools.
• Cuts brush and cleans drainage ditches along track right-of-way.
• May be required to drive company vehicles, i.e., pickup truck.

Benefits

• Employees are subject to extensive travel.
• Most of the job locations are far enough away that daily commuting from home is not an option.
• The ARRC does not furnish transportation or lodging at most locations.
• Jobs in the Maintenance Department are put up for bid and the most senior bidder is awarded the job.

What This Job Offers

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