Locomotive Engineer Trainee

At Keolis Commuter Services (KCS), we give every team member—and their ideas—a seat for the journey. We are a diverse team made up of different backgrounds, stories, and perspectives, which is our strength. If you’re looking for a career with a company that invests in your future, KCS is the place for you. We Imagine. We Care. We Commit!

Since 2014, Keolis Commuter Services has been entrusted with operating and maintaining the Commuter Rail network on behalf of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).  During this time, we have worked to deliver a safe and reliable service, thanks to the knowledge and dedication of our team, and our experience operating transit networks around the world. Today, we're proud of the progress we have made together to deliver a best-in-class service for the Greater Boston community.

We believe our people are what make us great. That is why we demonstrate a commitment to a safe, healthy, and inclusive culture that welcomes ideas, encourages innovation, and values belonging. Your future starts here.

At Keolis Commuter Services, LLC we provide a competitive compensation package that is designed to be flexible and comprehensive to meet the needs of our hard-working employees and their families.

Benefits Package Highlights:

• Generous Medical & Rx plan
• Dental & Vision Plan
• Railroad Retirement Benefits – a federal program that administers retirement, survivor, unemployment, and sickness benefits to U.S. railroad workers and their families.
• Fidelity 401K Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Transit and Parking Reimbursement Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company Sponsored Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefits
• Education Assistance
• Short- & Long-term Disability Benefits
• Voluntary Benefits Plan options including
  • Supplemental health plans for accidents, critical illness, hospital stays
  • Pet, Home, Auto insurance

Locomotive Engineer Trainee

The purpose of this role is to operate MBTA Commuter Rail trains safely and efficiently throughout the network.

***$5000.00 sign on bonus for certified Locomotive engineers with a current 49 CFR 240 certification with train service endorsement***

***May 2025 start date***

Skills:

• Must possess excellent verbal and written skills and be able to communicate successfully with a variety of disciplines and levels including both internal and external staff.
• Although a driver’s license is not required, applicants with a driver’s license must provide a certified copy of their motor vehicle driving record from the chief of the state driver’s licensing agency in which the applicant was last issued a license, and any license(s) issued or reissued from other state(s) within the preceding 60 months. Motor vehicle records must be void of any drug and alcohol violations within the previous 36 months.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Must have high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Some college or vocational training is preferred.
• Prior railroad operating experience required.
• Class 1 certification is strongly preferred.

Key Accountabilities:

• Operate various equipment, such as throttle and airbrakes, while monitoring signals and other devices to safely and efficiently transport passengers.
• Perform required tests and make inspections of equipment and air-brakes as required.
• Must make timely and critical decisions under stressful situations to safeguard lives and property.
• Must possess the ability to think and function independently while maintaining alertness, situational awareness, and vigilance.
• Involves working alone and apart in physical isolation while integrating activities with others.
• Ability to maintain alertness, awareness, vigilance, and responsibility.
• Have effective verbal communication skills in the performance of work.
• Satisfactory attendance, compliance, and safe work record.
• Complete monthly vehicle reports as required by the MBTA.
• Comply with all related safety rules and procedures and report all hazard as required.
• Attend and participate in all assigned meetings and trainings, specifically safety and security related.
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Requirements:

• If selected, incumbent will be required to successfully complete Engineer Training as follows: Individuals not previously certified as Class 1 Train Service Engineers: 6-8 weeks classroom; followed by extensive qualifying and on-the-job training; paid at the student training rate until incumbent achieves certification as a Class 1 Train Service Engineer.
• Incumbents are subject to periodic medical examinations including random drug alcohol screenings.
• Must sign a release of records authorizing all previous railroad employers to provide KCS with background information, if applicable. In accordance with FRA regulations, previous railroad service records must be void of any drug and alcohol violations within the previous 60 months.
• Employment contingent upon passing pre-employment physical to include drug screen, sleep apnea screening, audiogram & color vision screening.
• Employment contingent upon receiving a favorable background check.
• Current valid Driver's License is required.

EFFORT FACTORS:
1.   Physical/ Mental demands:

• Work environment can be extremely hot or cold.
• Largely a sedentary occupation.
• Must be capable of operating hand and foot controls simultaneously.
• Must be able to climb ladders and stairs to board and disembark from equipment.
• Must be able to think independently and make timely and critical decisions under stressful situations.
• Must meet the minimum standards for visual acuity:

1. 1. For distant viewing either:
      (i) Distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye without corrective lenses
      (ii) Distant visual acuity separately corrected to at least 20/40 (Snellen) with corrective lenses and distant binocular acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in both eyes with or without corrective lenses;
   2. A field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye; and,
   3. The ability to recognize and distinguish between the colors of railroad signals as demonstrated by successfully completing tests.

• Ability to perform all duties mentioned above

2. Working conditions:

• Noise Level: High – diesel engines, air brake equipment, horns and radios.
• Shift work: Differing hours as required.
• Travel: N/A
• On-call: Yes
• Team work: Work as part of the Transportation team.
• Supervisory

Additional Statements:

Drug and alcohol screening: Employment contingent upon passing pre-employment drug and alcohol screen. Also, contingent upon receiving a favorable background check. Must pass a physical examination. 

Safety commitment: Safety is a way of life at Keolis. By placing safety first, we ensure the wellbeing of our employees, customers, and communities. Together we can become the most successful transportation company in the world.  

Environmental commitment: Keolis is committed to protecting the environment by minimizing the impact of operations to our people and the communities in which we operate. 

EEO statement: Our policy is to afford Equal Employment Opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of their race, color, sex, religion, age, creed, marital status, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or gender identification. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. 

Disclaimer and closing statement: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees assigned to this job, and Keolis retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties of this position satisfactorily.  If requested, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.  Keolis is committed to offering our employees competitive compensation and benefits, opportunities for development and growth throughout an exciting and rewarding career, and the safest work environment possible.

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