Conductor/Engineer - Vicksburg, MS

About the role

Control and coordinate train movements while switching railcars in yards, industrial plants, or similar locations to facilitate the safe and efficient loading and unloading of railcars. This is a manual labor position requiring proficiency in essential skills, duties, and requirements within a prescribed training and introductory 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.
• Read switching orders from designated personnel.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of train crews.
• Observe radio and hand signals in yard or in cab and operate locomotive in accordance with railroad rules and regulations.
• Move controls to switch and couple cars based on arm or lantern signals.
• Read and interpret wayside signals, track warrants, bulletins, and railroad rules and regulations to operate locomotive safely and on schedule.
• Receive oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer regarding car switching.
• Notify engineer of switching orders and communicate which cars are to be moved to specified locations using radio, telephone, verbal, or hand signals.
• Communicate with crew or other 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.
• Give instructions to throw track switches and to couple or uncouple cars.
• Turn hand brake wheels or ratchet-type brakes, and apply and release handbrakes.
• Observe track to detect obstructions and inspect locomotive after runs to identify 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 levers to couple or uncouple cars.
• Throw track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signal engineers to move cars using lanterns, arm signals, or radio.
• Connect air hoses to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force.
• Set warning signals (flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes) at the front and rear of trains during emergency stops.
• Sit or ride in the cab of the locomotive to observe signals from other crew members.
• Make minor repairs to couplings and air hoses and report equipment requiring major repairs.
• Perform other duties as requested or required.

Qualifications

• Ability to pass training and required testing.
• High School diploma or GED equivalent.

Benefits

• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek.
• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers.
• Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco's Safe Performance Center.
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University.
• Career advancement opportunities.