Railroad Switchman

A Switchman's primary responsibility is working as part of a train crew on a freight train, place rail cars to facilitate loading and unloading, and makeup/breakdown trains in a rail yard, customer facility or similar locations. Switchmen are generally promoted to Conductor and Train Engineer with merit & ability.

Primary Responsibilities

• Comply with all train orders, signals, railroad and safety rules and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations
• Perform job duties safely and timely.
• Inspect equipment on cars prior to departure
• Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone
• Read and understand bulletins, work orders, and switch lists
• Assist with the coupling and uncoupling of 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
• Comprehend color and/or hand signals.
• Review instructions from Railroad Officers, Dispatchers, and other transportation employees
• Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by manager

Pay Rate

-First year earnings dependent on experience/certifications

-Pay is biweekly based on a daily rate.

-Pay raise when promoted to Conductor and Locomotive Engineer

-Yearly performance-based merit raise

-Enrolled in Railroad Retirement Tier I, II, III

Training
You will attend classroom and in-the-field simulation training prior to OJT. You will complete an additional 6-10 weeks of on-the-job training under the direction of a Train Conductor.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma/GED
• Two years of verifiable work experience
• One or more years of outside work experience (e.g. construction, heavy equipment operations, farm work, etc)
• Experience working in a safety sensitive environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in the railroad industry
• Current holder of Conductor and/or Locomotive Engineer Certification from another railroad

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to mount and dismount moving equipment
• 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 and hearing requirements as described in FRA Regulations
• Frequent lifting up to 50 lbs
• Able to lift up to 90 lbs

Basic Competencies

• Verbal comprehension (Understand oral and written communications in American English)
• Communication skills (provide clear instructions/directions)
• Reasoning skills (problem solving and troubleshooting skills)

Job Requirements

• Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries
• Wear PPE such as hard hat, hearing protection, or safety-toe boots
• Work hours may include weekend work
• Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations
• Pre-Employment & random testing for drugs and/or alcohol required
• Must pass all required assessments
• Must pass a background screening
• Must pass a 3-year driving history review
• Must pass a post-offer medical examination

About Sandersville Railroad
The Sandersville Railroad Company is a shortline freight railroad focused on serving the needs of its industrial customers. With four daily interchanges with Norfolk Southern Railway and access to over 2700 railcars, including covered hoppers, chip hoppers, boxcars, and tank cars, the Sandersville Railroad has abundant capacity to ensure that freight moves efficiently. State of the Art equipment, such as Weigh-In-Motion scales and automated freight handling systems, are used to expedite car lineups, processing and interchange. A bulk transfer facility is also located on our right-of-way, integrating rail freight with truck distribution. Located in Sandersville, Georgia, The “SAN” is a family owned and operated transportation company in operations since 1893.

Closing Statement
The Sandersville Railroad is not seeking outside assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms for employment or contractor opportunities. Any resumes submitted by an outside vendor to any employee at The Sandersville Railroad via e-mail, Internet, or directly to hiring managers without a valid written search agreement in place with the Talent Acquisition / HR department will be deemed the sole property of The Sandersville Railroad. No placement fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired as a result of the referral, or through other means.

Please refrain from calling or emailing directly regarding this job posting. Updates on your application status will be communicated timely through really. This job will remain open to candidates through March 31st, 2025

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $155.00 - $180.00 per day

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Holidays
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $155 - $180