Track Welder, SEIU (Pool Posting)

BART•Oakland Shops, CA

7d•$43 - $56•Onsite

About The Position

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is seeking a highly skilled and safety-focused Track Welder to support the maintenance, renewal, and modernization of the District’s rail infrastructure. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of BART’s track system, which is fundamental to delivering safe and dependable service to the Bay Area. Under general supervision, the Track Welder performs specialized welding and fabrication work on rail, track components, and related structures throughout the BART system. The incumbent supports critical maintenance and capital improvement programs, including rail replacement, defect remediation, and infrastructure reinvestment projects. Work is performed in active rail environments and requires strict adherence to safety protocols, technical standards, and operational procedures. Current priorities for this assignment include supporting systemwide rail replacement and rehabilitation efforts, addressing rail defects through high-quality welds and repairs, and contributing to preventive maintenance strategies that reduce service disruptions. The Track Welder will work closely with Track Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations staff to ensure welding work meets District standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Requirements

Possession of a high school diploma, GED or recognized equivalent.
Two (2) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable experience in welding of track, rails and their appurtenances; or journey level general welding experience which includes experience in welding frogs, exothermic welding of rails .
Must possess and maintain a valid California Class A driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.
Must be able to obtain and maintain District certification for the operation of high-rail vehicles.
Must have the physical ability to lift and carry various materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds for 100 yards or more.
Must have physical mobility to walk, climb, stoop, bend, crawl, twist, work in confined spaces, work underground, and heights up to 60 ft. and walk on uneven surfaces.
Must climb and work from ladders.
Must be able to perform strenuous labor both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.
Must wear a respirator and work in dusty environment subject to various fumes and noise levels in the proximity of live voltage.
Must have physical capability to climb in and out of vehicles with steps up to 25” from the ground in close clearances.
Must be willing to work off-hours shifts.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of arc and oxyacetylene welding, particularly as applied to field situations.
Knowledge of types of welding rods and materials and their applications.
Knowledge of types of welding gasses and mixtures.
Knowledge of storage and handling requirements of various types of welding rods.
Knowledge of safety practices pertaining to the work, including the use of eye, respiratory and hand protection.
Skill in performing field welding of track, rails and their appurtenances.
Skill in preparing surfaces to achieve effective welds.
Skill in grinding, smoothing and finishing welded or other metal surfaces.
Skill in treating and tempering metals.
Skill in fabricating parts to effect field welding repairs.
Skill in using precision measuring devices accurately.
Skill in reading and interpreting diagrams, blueprints, written instructions and welding symbols.
Skill in working independently or in a crew situation.
Skill in keeping basic written records of work performed.
Skill in operating and maintaining equipment and vehicles as required to perform work.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated proficiency in thermite welding, electric arc welding, and other rail welding techniques used in transit or heavy industrial environments.
Strong understanding of rail safety practices, lockout/tagout procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations.
Proven ability to produce high-quality welds, inspect finished work, and identify defects or corrective actions.
Experience working in active rail or right-of-way environments while coordinating effectively with operations and maintenance teams.
Ability to assess track conditions, troubleshoot welding issues, and perform corrective repairs under time-sensitive conditions.
Skilled in the safe operation, maintenance, and setup of welding equipment, tools, and support vehicles.
Demonstrated dependability, adaptability to shift work or emergency callouts, and the ability to work collaboratively in a safety-critical environment.

Responsibilities

Performing thermite, electric arc, and other specialized welding processes on rail and track components.
Supporting rail replacement, rail grinding preparation, and defect repair initiatives.
Ensuring all welding work complies with BART standards, safety rules, and applicable federal and state regulations.
Inspecting welded joints and track components to verify quality, integrity, and service readiness.
Operating welding equipment, tools, and vehicles safely in rail right-of-way environments.
Responding to emergency track conditions and performing time-sensitive repairs to restore service safely.
Collaborating with supervisors, inspectors, and other skilled trades to meet maintenance and construction schedules.
Performs precision arc, exothermic and oxyacetylene welding on such track elements as switch points; frogs and rails, including the power-carrying third rail.
Grinds and smoothes finished welds and rough or out-of-alignment rail locations to precision tolerances, using hand and machine grinders.
Reads diagrams and prints and discusses work to be performed with the supervisor or foreworker.
Determines necessary approach, tools and equipment and loads them on a vehicle for transportation to the work site.
Operates both on and off track equipment to reach the job location.
Prepares surfaces to be welded by cutting, chipping, shaping and sanding.
Uses precision measuring devices to determine measurements.
Layouts and fabricates appropriate parts for field placement.
Sets up rigging to move heavy objects in preparation for welding.
Uses an overhead or mobile crane, forklift and other equipment and vehicles as required to complete work.
Completes records of work performed and materials used.
Reports the need for additional maintenance to the foreworker.
Maintains a supply of welding gasses, rods, tools and safety equipment and notifies supervisor of the need for replacements as needed.
Performs the work of a Track Equipment Operator as required.