Conductor / Engineer
Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs.
Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all on the same team.
Here's what you can expect from Watco :
- Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
- Operations training at the Safe Performance Center in Birmingham, Alabama
- Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
- Career advancement opportunities
The Locomotive Engineer position will be to control and coordinate the train movements while switching railcars whether in the yard of a railroad, industrial plant, or similar location to facilitate the unloading and loading of railcars in a safe and efficient manner to service our customers. This position is a manual labor position which requires that the individual become proficient in the following skills, duties, and requirements within a prescribed training and introductory period.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendanceFollow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on scheduleRead, write, and communicate in English & understand basic mathLearn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgmentInspects locomotive before run to verify specified fuel, sand, water, and all FRA requirementsReads switching orders from designated personObserves radio and hand signals in yard or in cab and operates locomotive in accordance with railroad rules and regulationsObserves arm or lantern signal and moves controls to move locomotive backwards or forwards to switch and couple cars; or receives starting signal and moves control; such as throttle and air brakes to operate locomotiveReads and interprets wayside signals, track warrants and bulletins, and railroad rules and regulations to operate locomotive, following safety rules and regulations and time scheduleTalks to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching informationConfers with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trainsMay assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operationsTurns hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake and tie handbrakesObserves track to detect obstructionsInspects locomotive after run to detect damaged or defective equipmentMaintains records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switchedMay coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control towerRaises coupling lever to couple or uncouple carsConnects air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying forceMay set warning signals, such as flares, flags, or lanterns at front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trainsSits or rides in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew membersMay make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses and journal boxes, and report any equipment requiring major repairsQUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Must be able to pass and or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position.
SKILLS and ABILITIES
High school education or general education (GED) or 3 to 6 months job-related experience; or equivalent of education and experienceAbility to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectivelyAbility to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations