Conductor/Engineer (CERR)

About the role

The conductor/engineer position controls and coordinates train movements while switching railcars in railroad yards, industrial plants, or similar locations to facilitate the safe and efficient loading and unloading of railcars. This is a manual labor role requiring proficiency in various skills and duties within a prescribed training period.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule.
• Read, write, and communicate in English and understand basic math.
• Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment.
• Inspect locomotive before run to verify specified fuel, sand, water, and all FRA requirements.
• Read switching orders from designated personnel.
• Observe radio and hand signals in yard or in cab and operate locomotive in accordance with railroad rules and regulations.
• Observe arm or lantern signals and move controls to switch and couple cars.
• Read and interpret wayside signals, track warrants, bulletins, and railroad rules to operate locomotive safely and on schedule.
• Communicate with crew or yard workers via radio to exchange switching information.
• Confer with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
• Assist workers with throwing switches or other activities during switching operations.
• Turn hand brakes or tie handbrakes.
• Observe track to detect obstructions.
• Inspect locomotive after run to detect damaged or defective equipment.
• Maintain records of car numbers, origin, destination, and cargo.
• Coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower.
• Raise coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars.
• Throw track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signal engineer to move cars using lantern, arm signals, or radio.
• Climb ladders to top of cars, ride atop cars, and turn hand wheels to set brakes or control car speed.
• Connect air hoses to cars by bending and applying force when making up trains.
• Walk along tops of cars to inspect couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes.
• Set warning signals (flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes) during emergency stops.
• Sit or ride in locomotive cab to observe signals from crew members.
• Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes; report equipment requiring major repairs.
• Perform other duties as requested or required.

Requirements

• High school education or General Education Development (GED).
• Must have or have had 49CFR242 and/or 49CFR240 qualifications.
• At least 1 year of job-related experience or equivalent education and experience.
• Ability to pass training and required testing.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

Skills

• Ability to apply common sense and understanding to carry out written and oral instructions.
• Ability to write legibly.
• Capability to perform duties requiring heavy lifting.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Ability to recognize problems.
• Knowledge of Roadway Protection Rules.
• Broad understanding of railroad operations.

Work Environment

The role involves regular exposure to outside weather conditions, noise, fumes from gas, oil, and grease, and requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, vests, safety glasses, FR clothing, gloves, and steel-toed boots. Tools and equipment used include hammers, ratchets, chisels, pry bars, wrenches, and brushes.