Freight Conductor Jobs

Job Summary

Please read entire posting before applying to this position.

A conductor's primary responsibility is to safely coordinate train crews 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. To see more of what a day-in-the-life video looks like, please see here .

New hire conductors will be eligible to receive retention bonuses after the 1st and 2nd employment anniversary dates. The minimum amount to expect is $3000 after 1 year, and $2000 after year 2, but may be greater based on work location and is subject to the terms of the retention bonus.

Note: you must pass a drug test (hair follicle and urine), medical exam, and background check to be hired into this role .
Primary Activities and Responsibilities

• Work with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of cars; delivers excellent customer service by identifying customer needs and meeting or exceeding expectations
• Comprehend color and/or hand signals and systems
• Assist with the coupling and uncoupling of cars, operate switches, and make minor repairs to railcars, including replacing heavy couplings or air brake hoses
• Read and understand bulletins, work orders, and switch lists
• Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone
• Inspect all equipment on cars prior to departures
• Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by manager
• Review instructions from yardmasters, dispatchers, and other transportation employees, and discuss with locomotive engineer
• Maintain awareness of surrounding area and suspicious activity to ensure rail safety
• Ensure compliance with all railroad and safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, signals, and train orders
• Operate locomotive equipment through the use of remote control device
• Be able to safely perform all job responsibilities

Pay Rate NMAD

Projected first year earnings: $85,500

• On-the-job (OJT) training Rate: $2,713.52 bi-weekly
• Training rate while in Atlanta: $2,261.28 bi-weekly
• After OJT, guaranteed extra-board pay of $2,236.40 bi-weekly
• The average earnings for new hire conductors in 2021 was $85,500, but could potentially be more with overtime opportunities.

Training

You are expected to attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center (ATC) in Atlanta, GA. Training includes a mixture of classroom and computer based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies. New hires must maintain an 85% passing rate on quizzes and tests to remain in training. Failure to maintain the 85% average will result in new hires being released from the program and their offer will be rescinded. CSX will provide a hotel room for the entire four weeks and lunch is provided on class days. New hires will receive $140 via direct deposit at the start of each week to cover other meals. Roundtrip mileage will be reimbursed at the IRS rate between hiring location and Atlanta, as well as mileage between the training center and hotel. On-the-job training begins immediately following the successful completion of training at the ATC.

Qualifications - External

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of related experience
• High School Diploma/GED NOT required
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to read and comprehend all instructions including operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents and other written communications
• 18 years of age or older

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a safety sensitive environment
• One or more years of outside work experience, e.g. construction, heavy equipment operations, farming, etc.(can be professional, personal, or volunteer experience)

Physical Requirements

• Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity/tracking/inspection
• Must be able to mount and dismount moving equipment
• Work in cramped, confined, enclosed, or awkward places
• Frequent lifting up to 80 pounds
• Must meet color vision and hearing requirements as described in FRA Regulations
• Stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb
• Ride on the outside of rail equipment for extended periods of time
• Walk long distances over uneven terrain

Basic Competencies

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

Job Requirements

• Must pass a post-offer background check and medical examination, including a physical, color vision test, and drug test (hair follicle and urine)
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• May be required to travel and be away from home terminal for 24 hours or longer
• Work hours are based on seniority, new hires primarily work nights, weekends, and holidays
• Must be able to safely report to work within two hours of being notified to report
• This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and membership is required
• Work hours may include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shift work
• Federal regulations require random testing for drugs and/or alcohol
• Information about benefits can be found here
• Strict disciplinary policy regarding inability to report to work within proper time frame
• Cover outlying locations based on seniority
• Advance to engineer position when required, based on seniority
• Must pass all required assessments
• Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries
• Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations
• Must wear CSX approved protective equipment such as high-visibility vest, safety-toe boots, hard hat, and hearing protection

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 200 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 230 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter .
Closing Statement
At CSX, two of our five Guiding Principles are Valuing and Developing Employees as well as Operating Safely. We are committed to offering our team members the most competitive compensation and benefits package available, unlimited opportunities for development and growth throughout an exciting and rewarding career, and the safest work environment possible.
CSX is an Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Click here to view the EEO is Law poster. Click here to view the OFCCP pay transparency provision information.
CSX Transportation and its subsidiaries are 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 CSX 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 CSX. No placement fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired as a result of the referral, or through other means.