Selma, AL Train Conductor

Norfolk Southern Corp. • Selma, AL

81d • Onsite

About The Position

Norfolk Southern is hiring a Train Conductor in Selma, Alabama. Conductors are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of freight trains, including building trains by coupling railcars, delivering railcars to customers, transporting trains over long distances, and managing electronic documentation and inspections. They are trained to troubleshoot train issues, report incidents, and comply with safety procedures. No prior railroad experience is required; training is provided.

This is a seniority-based position. New conductors begin on the extra board, filling assignments as needed until they have enough seniority to bid on a regular assignment. Employees must be available on call 24/7, sometimes with as little as 90 minutes’ notice, and should expect to spend two to three days away from home each week. Employees must join a union within 60 days after completing training.

Training lasts approximately 20 weeks and may take longer depending on the complexity of the assigned location. It includes classroom instruction, field training, and on-the-job experience. The first five weeks are at the Norfolk Southern Training Center in McDonough, Georgia; the company provides hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement from the hire location during this period. The remaining training takes place at the assigned location. Successful completion, promotion, and certification require passing classroom, field, and on-the-job requirements, including written exams and field evaluations in physical characteristics, operating rules, safety, hazardous materials, and signal rules.

The work is outdoors in all weather, on irregular schedules that may include nights, weekends, and holidays. It is safety-sensitive and requires constant alertness around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines. Trainees earn a minimum of $240 per shift during on-the-job training, with overtime at $30 per hour. First-year conductors average $70,000 annually, and experienced conductors average $84,000. Locomotive engineers earn a guaranteed minimum of $94,000, with potential to exceed $100,000. A $5,000 retention bonus is offered effective July 1, 2026, paid in installments after training completion and at six and 12 months after training completion.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.
• Must be able to report to work within 90 minutes.
• Must have a clean driving record for the past 36 months, without a license suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial resulting from a drug- or alcohol-related incident.
• Must not have been involved in diversion or probation, or pleaded guilty to a drug- or alcohol-related driving incident.
• Must not have refused a drug or alcohol test related to operating a motor vehicle.
• Must pass pre-employment Federal Railroad Administration drug and alcohol screening.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be available for on-call work 24/7, including with as little as 90 minutes’ notice.
• Must expect to spend two to three days away from home weekly.
• Must join a union within 60 days after completing training.
• Must pass all classroom, field, and on-the-job training requirements, including written exams and field evaluations.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 85 pounds.
• Must pass required physical standards, including hanging from a railcar ladder with three points of contact for one minute and 15 seconds per side.
• Must be able to walk several miles per shift on uneven terrain.
• Must meet FRA medical requirements for visual acuity, color vision, and hearing.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Experience with heavy equipment or in physically demanding roles.
• Experience working non-traditional shifts, on call, and/or 12-hour or longer shifts.

Responsibilities

• Build and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment to ensure safe operation.
• Operate remote-control locomotives and perform tasks such as coupling, aligning drawbars, applying hand brakes, and riding railcars.
• Communicate effectively with crews, dispatchers, and yard controllers.
• Maintain accurate documentation and comply with Federal Railroad Administration and company safety regulations.
• Troubleshoot train issues and report incidents.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement during the first five weeks of training in McDonough, Georgia.
• Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents beginning the second calendar month of employment.
• Dental insurance eligibility after one year.
• Life insurance eligibility after one year.
• 401(k) eligibility after one year.
• Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes.
• Retention bonus of $5,000 effective July 1, 2026: $1,000 upon completing on-the-job training, $1,500 six months after completing training, and $2,500 12 months after completing training.
• Vacation eligibility: two weeks after two or more years of service, three weeks after six or more years, four weeks after 15 or more years, and five weeks after 23 years.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed