Conductor/Engineer - CLCR

Primary Activities and Responsibilities- Conductor:

Ensure compliance with all train orders, signals, and railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Review instructions from dispatchers and yardmasters, and discuss with locomotive engineer and train crew.

Inspect all equipment on cars prior to departures.

Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone.

Read and understand bulletins, work orders, and switch lists.

Assist and instruct train crews to couple and uncouple cars, operate switches, and make minor repairs to railcars, including replacing heavy couplings or air brake hoses.

Work with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of cars.

Maintain awareness of surrounding area and suspicious activity to ensure rail safety.

Comprehend color and/or hand signals and systems.

Quickly and repeatedly make precise adjustments in moving the controls of a machine or vehicle to exact positions.

Quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to visual symbols, signals and displays (sound, light, picture, etc.).

Primary Activities and Responsibilities - Maintenance of Way (MOW): 

Responsible for keeping the track and track bed in good shape. That means checking for broken rails, defective switches, deteriorating track bed, track obstructions and weather-related problems.

Perform tasks associated with track work including but not limited to, pulling and driving spikes, replacing ties, surfacing track, changing rail, bars, bolts, shoveling rock ballast and working with other track apparatus.

Must be willing to learn and apply FRA Track Safety Standards, GCOR and RWP regulations and be able to perform maintenance in a timely manner.

Must be willing to learn to operate in a safe and efficient manner, all equipment and tools associated with track maintenance; will be responsible for maintenance of equipment associated with track maintenance such as track-wrench, etc.

Remove and replace ballast, operate large non-powered hand tools such as shovels, picks, axes, cutters, and sledgehammers, and operate proper electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic hand tools such as drills, impact wrenches, jacks, power saws, and grinders.

Maintain accurate records of time worked, track conditions encountered and corrective action taken.

May be required to assist in working on train cars as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

Primary Activities and Responsibilities – Engineer:

Responsible for safe and efficient operation of the locomotive.

Operation of locomotive, which requires full mobility in seated position facing forward and to the side.

Requires the manipulation of throttle and brake controls as well as interpreting gauges and controls.

Must be able to manipulate valves and switches both inside and outside of the cab.

Applies and releases handbrakes.

Ascends and descends steps and ladders to get on and off the equipment.

Takes directions from conductors and brakemen.

Line switches.

Coupling cars.

Working on freight trains.

Laces air hoses.

Services the locomotive (brake shoes, oil, sand and fuel).

Other duties as assigned, as requested or required.

Must report to work as called on a 24-hour schedule.

Must comply with all new and outstanding railroad instructions regarding the operation of the train.

Must comply with all federal regulations regarding the operation of the train air brakes.

Assist the Locomotive Engineer in the management of the train and daily work.

Work Safely and Efficiently.

Completes work as directed by supervisors.

Must pass all job and health related examinations.

Perform switching, make-up and break-up trains.

Perform ground tasks of coupling and un-coupling cars, operating switches, etc.

Maintain accurate records of cars handled, repairs performed, and track conditions encountered.

Communication with management, customer service, crew members, and connecting railroads.

Minimum Qualifications:

Verifiable High School diploma/GED or equivalent experience.

18 years of age or older.

Valid Driver's License.

2 years verifiable work experience and/or college.

No driving violations involving alcohol or drugs within the past 3 years.

Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, with internal and external management.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior rail industry experience.

Current Certified Engineer or Conductor status a plus.

Outside work experience.

Experience working on an on-call basis.

Experience working varying shift schedules.

Experience operating heavy equipment.

Mechanical experience.

Physical Requirements:

Medium to heavy work, lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 80 pounds.

Reach/handle/finger/feel.

Stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb.

Work in cramped, confined, enclosed, or awkward places.

Ride on the outside of rail equipment for long periods of time.

Walk long distances over uneven terrain.

Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity/tracking/inspection.

Must meet color vision requirements as described in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Regulations.

Employment Conditions:

Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries.

Wear protective equipment including hearing protection, safety-toe boots, or safety glasses.

Work hours may include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shift work, including on-call 7 days a week, 24 hours per day, with extended periods of time away from home and short rest between assignments in accordance with the hours of service regulation.

Work hours may be based on seniority - new hires will work primarily nights, weekends, and holiday.

Must report to work as called on a 24-hour schedule.

Complete annual training and pass safety operating rules examination.

Federal regulations require random testing for drugs and/or alcohol.

Must pass all required assessments.

Must pass a background screening.

May require a post-offer medical examination, including drug and physical capabilities test.

Strict disciplinary policy regarding inability to report to work within proper time frame, or failure to accept a call for work.

Advance to engineer position when required, based on seniority.

Environmental Conditions:

Work outside in all weather conditions.

Collective Bargaining and Other Terms of Employment:

This position is governed by the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement; membership is required.

Assignments and displacements shall be based on qualifications and seniority; qualifications being sufficient, seniority shall prevail.

For the employees governed under the collective bargaining agreement, the entire railroad shall constitute a single seniority district over which employees may exercise their seniority. There shall be no restrictions upon where within the seniority district any employee can work at any time, subject to seniority rights per the collective bargaining agreement.

An applicant for employment will be required to fill out and execute the Carrier’s application forms and pass required physical and visual examinations, and his employment shall be considered temporary until application is approved. Applicants for employment will be disapproved in writing within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after date first service is performed, or applicant shall be considered approved.

When new employees enter the service, if their work is satisfactory and application for employment is not declined within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days, their names shall then be listed on the seniority roster with the seniority date as of the date of first paid service.

Safety Commitment:

This is a safety sensitive position. The candidate selected for this position must successfully complete a full physical including a drug test. Passing results must be received prior to start date in new position. 

 The applicant selected for this position may be required to successfully complete a background check and drug test. Passing results must be received prior to start date in new position. (Background check may include the following: Credit History, Criminal History, Driver License Record History, Education Credentials, Employment History, Reference Checks and Professional License or Certification review relevant to the position.)

Code of Conduct Statement:

Columbia and Cowlitz Railway LLC is committed to promoting integrity and maintaining the highest standard of ethical conduct in all of its activities. The Company's reputation is founded on the personal integrity of the Company's personnel and its dedication to:

Honesty

Accountability

Quality

Responsibility

Compassion

Fairness

Columbia and Cowlitz Railway LLC is committed to a diverse workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.