Train Crew - Alexandria, LA

Union Pacific•Alexandria, LA

17h•$80,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

Train Crew employees at Union Pacific provide the safe and timely movement of customers’ freight. No previous railroad experience is required; the company provides the necessary training. The 14-week training program combines classroom and on-the-job instruction. Employees must attend the full program and successfully complete all exams to continue employment. After training, employees work in road or yard service based on their territory and seniority. Road crews may travel between locations and stay away from their home terminal; Union Pacific provides lodging in those circumstances. Yard and local crews work with an engineer or by remote control to sort cars from inbound trains and build outbound trains. This is a seniority-based position, and assignments may require covering other locations within the employee’s seniority area. Employees may be assigned to 24/7 on-call work, and schedules include variable hours and irregular days off. Temporary furloughs may occur based on business volumes. Employees should plan to remain in their craft and work location for at least two years; changes depend on business demands and may not be approved. The role involves inspecting and moving railroad equipment, communicating with crews and dispatchers, maintaining records, and complying with railroad safety rules and regulations. Work takes place outdoors in all weather conditions and may include travel with trains, physical work on uneven terrain, and time away from the home terminal. Employees are subject to drug and alcohol testing. The position requires legal authorization to work in the United States without company sponsorship. Union Pacific describes its culture as strengths-based, engagement-focused, and performance-oriented, with ongoing learning and development opportunities. In the initial year, earnings are expected to be around $80,000; the posting states that median annual wages for employees with five years of service exceed $100,000. Compensation and benefits are collectively bargained through union membership.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Valid driver's license.
Clean driving record for the past 36 months, without a suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial of the driver's license 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.
Successfully complete an English-language assessment before the interview stage.
Successfully pass a Physical Ability Test before being considered for employment.
Normal color vision, including the ability to detect and interpret visual color signals and displays and judge the speed of moving objects at close and distant ranges.
Adequate depth perception to assess the speed and distance of locomotives being moved in the service area.
Ability to push, pull, lift, and carry objects weighing up to 85 pounds.
Ability to frequently perform coordinated hand movements for grasping, placing, or moving objects.
Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including occasional bending, stooping, and kneeling; line switches; climb rail-car side ladders; maintain balance while riding rail cars; walk up to five miles per shift on uneven terrain; and occasionally work at heights of 12 feet or more.
Ability to detect unusual sounds and smells during inspections and testing and respond promptly.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship.
Must attend the entire 14-week training class and successfully complete all exams during training to continue employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working second and/or third shifts.
Experience working outdoors in diverse weather conditions, including professional, personal, or volunteer experience.
Experience working with, on, and around heavy equipment in motion, including professional, personal, or volunteer experience.
Experience working in confined spaces and at different heights.

Responsibilities

Inspect equipment, locomotives, and rail cars to ensure they are safe to use or move in a train.
Couple equipment, align drawbars, operate remote-control locomotives, apply and release hand brakes, ride rail cars, and replace couplers or knuckles.
Communicate information to crews, yard controllers, and dispatchers by radio and/or hand signals.
Maintain accurate written and electronic documentation and prepare necessary materials.
Observe and comply with railroad safety and operating rules and regulations, including Federal Railroad Administration requirements.
Perform additional duties as assigned by a supervisor.
In yard and local service, sort cars from inbound trains and build outbound trains.

Benefits

Medical insurance, including prescription coverage.
Vision insurance.
Dental insurance.
Life insurance.
Disability insurance.
Ongoing learning and development.
Educational Assistance, including little to no out-of-pocket cost for online and in-person courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Metropolitan Community College.
401(k) retirement plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 20% match up to 5%.
Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs.
Lodging provided for road service crews required to stay away from their home terminal, as described in the posting.