Description

The conductor/switchman position will control and coordinate the train movements while switching railcars whether in the yard of a railroad, industrial plant, or similar location to facilitate the unloading and loading of railcars in a safe and efficient manner to service our customers. This position is a manual labor position which requires that the individual become proficient in the following skills, duties, and requirements within a prescribed training and introductory period. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.

• Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule.

• Read, write, and communicate in English & understand basic math.

• Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment.

• Reads switching orders from designated person.

• Supervises and coordinates the activities of train crews.

• Receives oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer indicating which cars are to be switched.

• Notifies engineer of switching orders and, whereby, which cars are to be moved to specified locations of yard, using radio, verbal or hand signals.

• Talks to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information.

• Confers with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.

• Gives instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars.

• May assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations.

• Turns hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake as well to apply and release handbrakes.

• Observes track to detect obstructions.

• Maintains records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched.

• May coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower.

• Raises coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars.

• Throws track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signals Engineer to move cars, using lantern, arm signals or radio.

• Connects air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force.

• May set warning signals, such as flares, flags, or lanterns at front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.

• Sits or rides in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members.

• May make minor repairs to couplings, and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs.

• Talk to Dispatcher via radio to give or receive switching information.

  Skills and Abilities

• High school education or general education (GED) or 3 to 6 months job-related experience; or equivalent of education and experience.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively.

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.