Train Crew - Saint James, MN

Union Pacific•Saint James, MN

About The Position

Union Pacific Train Crew employees provide the safe and timely movement of customers’ freight. No previous railroad experience is required; the company provides training. The 14-week training program includes classroom and on-the-job training, and employees must attend the full program and successfully complete all exams to continue employment. After training, employees work in road or yard service according to their seniority territory and date. Career progression may include applying for engine service and becoming a Class 1 Locomotive Engineer. This is a seniority-based position. Employees may need to cover locations within their seniority area beyond the location where they were hired, and road crews may travel between locations and stay away from their home terminal. Some assignments may be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hours vary, days off are irregular, and work may include nights, weekends, and holidays. Temporary furloughs are possible based on business volumes. Employees should plan to remain in their craft and work location for at least two years, as transfers depend on business needs. The job is performed outdoors in all weather conditions and involves physically demanding work. The stated initial-year earnings are approximately $80,000 annually; employees with five years of service have median annual wages exceeding $100,000. The role includes medical insurance with prescription coverage, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance. Union Pacific also offers a 401(k), an employee stock purchase plan with a 20% match up to 5%, wellness and Employee Assistance Programs, and Educational Assistance.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have a valid driver's license.
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 successfully complete an English-language assessment before proceeding to the interview stage.
Must successfully pass a Physical Ability Test before being considered for employment.
Must have normal color vision and the ability to detect and interpret visual color signals and displays and judge the speed of moving objects at close and distant ranges.
Must have adequate depth perception to assess the speed and distance of locomotives being moved in the service area.
Must be able to push, pull, lift, and carry objects weighing up to 85 pounds.
Must be able to frequently perform coordinated hand movements for grasping, placing, or moving objects.
Must be capable of physically demanding tasks, including occasional bending, stooping, and kneeling.
Must be able to line a switch, climb a rail car side ladder, maintain balance while riding a rail car, walk up to five miles per shift on uneven terrain, and occasionally work at heights of 12 feet or more.
Must be able to detect unusual sounds and smells during inspections and testing and respond promptly.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.
Must attend the full 14-week training program 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 required materials.
Observe and comply with railroad safety and operating rules and regulations, including Federal Railroad Administration requirements.
Perform additional duties assigned by a supervisor.
In yard and local service, classify cars from inbound trains and build outbound trains.

Benefits

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