What are the responsibilities and job description for the Railcar Inspector position at VLS Environmental Solutions?
VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC, is a recognized leader in providing sustainability solutions, with three divisions providing industry-leading services. With a mission to innovate solutions to meet clients' sustainability goals, VLS has over 1,200 employees in 40 locations across North America.
Waste Services
VLS Waste Services provides customized waste processing solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste, including landfill diversion and sustainability programs, solidification of liquid waste, recycling, wastewater treatment, and waste sequestration.
Railcar Services
VLS Railcar Cleaning and Repair Services division provides specialty cleaning services for difficult-to-clean products, including chemicals, hardened materials, and pressurized gases, and comprehensive repair services for certified full-service repairs, tank car qualifications, and maintenance.
Marine Services
VLS Marine Services division offers state-of-the-art barge cleaning, repair, and gas-free facilities for various chemical solvents and downstream petroleum products.
VLS Environmental Services is the recognized industry leader in providing Environmental Solutions to our Industrial and Manufacturing clients. A financially stable company that has experienced significant organic and inorganic growth over the past several years, VLS offers the perks of a big company (competitive pay, great time off packages, and solid benefits, including paid life insurance and a 401(k) match of up to 5%) combined with the collaborative and results-driven culture of a small one.
Summary:
To perform in-bound inspection and prepare shop work orders and customer estimate sheets, outlining repairs and/or modifications needed that meet customer, AAR/FRA, and VLS requirements. Randomly inspect in-process cars to ensure that high quality standards are met. Review completed work being released from internal departments or from location performing a completed out-bound audit to ensure car has been repaired, modified, or coated per initial write-up and meets AAR/FRA, customer and VLS requirements
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the safety of himself and others in the shop.
- Know and understand AAR/FRA requirements.
- Can reference and understand customer requirements.
- Is familiar, understands and can operate VLS estimating system (Railcar).
- Competent in railcar repair and modification estimating.
- Communicates with customers on individual car needs, problems areas, and estimated ship dates.
- Reads and understands Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
- Interprets VLS instructions, customer requirements, and AAR/FRA Field Manual guidelines.
- Performs all work in a safe and efficient manner.
- Continually looking and suggesting ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the overall operation.
- Instructs and aides in the training of new employees in the repair or inspection function.
- Keeps supervisor informed of any problems identified on estimates or potential problems that could affect completion time on cars being worked.
- Responsible for housekeeping and orderly storage of gauges used in the inspection function.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED: A minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Rail Car Inspector Certification: Must possess valid certification in rail car inspection or be willing to obtain certification within the specified time frame.
- Mechanical Aptitude: Proficiency in identifying mechanical problems and using inspection tools effectively.
- Knowledge of Regulations: Familiarity with safety standards and regulations related to rail car inspection, including AAR (Association of American Railroads) and FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) guidelines.
- Experience: A minimum of 2 years of experience in rail car inspection or a related field.
- Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail in identifying potential issues or safety hazards.
- Valid Driver's License: Must possess a valid driver's license to travel to various rail yards.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced Certifications: Additional certifications such as NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) or Welding certifications.
- Technical Training: Completion of vocational or technical courses related to mechanical systems, railway engineering, or related fields.
- Experience with Multiple Rail Car Types: Experience inspecting a wide variety of rail car types (e.g., tank cars, boxcars, flat cars).
- Strong Communication Skills: Ability to clearly report findings and collaborate with maintenance and operations teams.
- Computer Literacy: Familiarity with inspection software, data entry, and report generation.
Physical Demands & Work Conditions:
- Must pass a pre-employment background check, physical, and drug screening
- Able to stand for long periods of time with limited breaks
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
- Work in extreme temperatures and elements for an extended period of time
- Must be able to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and smell
- Must be able to work in confined spaces
- Must be able to work at elevated heights
- May encounter fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; risk of radiation and vibration
- Work near moving mechanical parts and in a loud environment
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Req Benefits:
At VLS our employees are the core of our business. As such, we value our employees' physical, mental, and financial wellbeing by providing first class, high value benefits and resources that are centered around a proper work-life balance.
Physical and Mental Wellbeing: VLS is committed to supporting our employees' physical and mental health by providing:
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - Based on each employee's need, we offer various high quality, low-premium medical, dental and vision plans, which include our first-in-class concierge service (available in Spanish) and 2nd MD Offering.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Healthcare Saving Accounts (HSA) - Set aside pre-tax money to use toward your health care spending. VLS provides an employer contribution to all HSA accounts.
Time Off - We offer 11 (eleven) company-paid holidays, in addition to our paid time off and voluntary time off plans.
Employee Assistance Program - 24/7 assistance and counseling services that are 100% confidential and free to all employees and their dependents.
Telemedicine - All employees and dependents receive free virtual visits by licensed practitioners any time, any day...including holidays!
Financial and Retirement Planning: At VLS we offer the following to assist our employees with planning around their finances and saving for retirement:
401(k) - Generous 401(k) matching program after 90 days of employment. VLS will match up to 5% of your pay every pay period. Matching contributions are 100% vested immediately.
Life and Disability Insurance - Employer-paid life insurance, along with short-term and long-term disability coverage provided to all full-time employees.
Voluntary Life Protection Plans - Employees and their dependents can elect coverage in our voluntary life/add, critical illness, hospital indemnity and accident plans.
Rewards and Recognition Programs - We celebrate our employees! From birthdays to anniversaries and other various milestones/achievements, we have programs in place to recognize our employees.
Financial Planning - Free One on One financial planning with a certified Financial Planner/Coach.
Employee Discount - Employee Discount Program for savings on everyday goods and services at various retailers throughout the US.
