Conductor/Engineer

Position Summary

The Conductor is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant movement of railcars and trains. The position coordinates switching activities, conducts job briefings, communicates movement instructions, inspects equipment, maintains required records, and works closely with locomotive engineers, customers, and other operating employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in and, when assigned, lead thorough job briefings before work begins and whenever conditions, plans, personnel, or hazards change.
• Coordinate train and switching movements using approved radio communications, hand signals, and applicable operating rules.
• Line and inspect switches; operate derails, hand brakes, couplers, angle cocks, and other railroad equipment.
• Protect shove movements, crossings, track occupancy, and equipment in accordance with company rules and applicable regulations.
• Inspect railcars, locomotives, loads, tracks, and work areas for visible defects or unsafe conditions; promptly report and protect identified hazards.
• Couple and uncouple railcars and air hoses; assist with required air-brake tests and confirm equipment is properly secured.
• Build, classify, spot, pull, and secure railcar cuts based on work orders, switch lists, customer needs, and crew instructions.
• Maintain accurate switch lists, train documentation, car counts, placement records, delay information, and other required operating records.
• Communicate professionally with customers while ensuring production requests never override safety rules or operating authority.
• Apply stop-work authority when a movement, instruction, condition, or communication is unsafe or unclear.
• Protect company property and maintain locomotives, radios, vehicles, and work areas in a clean and orderly condition.
• Perform other railroad operating duties within training, qualification, and assignment. Minimum and Preferred Qualifications
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Prior railroad, industrial switching, transportation, military, construction, agriculture, warehouse, or heavy-equipment experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to learn and apply operating rules, timetables, special instructions, safety procedures, and customer requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly by radio and in person and to give, receive, repeat, and confirm movement instructions.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to successfully complete company training, examinations, qualification requirements, background screening, and applicable drug-and-alcohol testing.

Requirements

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Prior railroad, industrial switching, transportation, military, construction, agriculture, warehouse, or heavy-equipment experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to learn and apply operating rules, timetables, special instructions, safety procedures, and customer requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly by radio and in person and to give, receive, repeat, and confirm movement instructions.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to successfully complete company training, examinations, qualification requirements, background screening, and applicable drug-and-alcohol testing. Core Competencies
• Safety leadership and rule compliance
• Situational awareness
• Clear communication and radio discipline
• Reliability and punctuality
• Sound judgment under changing conditions
• Teamwork and accountability
• Accurate record keeping Physical Requirements The physical requirements below describe typical demands of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Frequently stand and walk on uneven ballast, tracks, industrial surfaces, stairs, and outdoor terrain.
• Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, grasp, push, pull, and maintain balance around equipment.
• Regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally handle greater forces with assistance or approved mechanical devices, depending on the assignment.
• Climb steps, ladders, and equipment and work at heights when required and properly protected.
• See, hear, and communicate sufficiently to recognize signals, radio instructions, alarms, equipment movement, and workplace hazards.
• Use hands and feet to operate tools, controls, brakes, switches, hoses, and equipment appropriate to the position.
• Work extended shifts or overtime when operationally necessary, subject to applicable law and company policy. Work Environment and Schedule
• Work is performed in railroad yards, industrial facilities, shops, customer locations, rights-of-way, and outdoor areas.
• Regular exposure to heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, dust, grease, fumes, noise, vibration, moving equipment, and uneven walking surfaces.
• Required use of personal protective equipment will include safety footwear, high-visibility clothing, eye and hearing protection, gloves, hard hat, fall protection, and respiratory protection depending on the task.
• The position may require nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, call outs, travel, or variable start times based on operational needs. Safety, Regulatory, and Conduct Expectations
• Follow all company rules, operating practices, customer-site requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Report fit for duty and remain free from prohibited drug and alcohol use; participate in testing when required by applicable law or company policy.
• Immediately report injuries, incidents, hazards, damaged equipment, rule violations, and unsafe conditions.
• Use required personal protective equipment and exercise stop-work authority when work cannot be performed safely.
• Maintain professional, respectful conduct and protect confidential, customer, and company information. Other Duties and Job-Description Notice This description identifies the principal duties and requirements of the position. It is not intended to list every duty, responsibility, or qualification. Burlington Junction Railway may be modified assignments based on operational needs, employee qualifications, business conditions, and applicable law. Employment remains subject to applicable company policies and any written employment agreement.

Benefits

Benefits and additional compensation

• Health and dental: Eligibility begins the first day of the month following your hire date. The Company currently pays the major medical and dental premium for employee-and-family or employee-and-spouse coverage, subject to plan eligibility and enrollment requirements.
• Life insurance: $10,000 in Company-paid life insurance.
• Voluntary benefits: Opportunity to enroll, at employee expense, in vision, cancer, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, and short-term disability coverage.
• Retirement: Railroad Retirement benefits and eligibility to participate in the Company's 401(k) plan, in accordance with applicable law and plan terms.
• Vacation: New employees receive 88 hours of vacation time, prorated based on hire date and administered in accordance with Company policy.
• Safety bonus: Opportunity to earn up to $400 per month under the Company's safety bonus program. Bonuses are not guaranteed and are subject to program terms and eligibility requirements.
• Work-related allowances: $500 annual clothing and boot allowance, plus up to $250 toward prescription safety glasses, subject to Company policy, eligibility, and required documentation.