Watco Railroad Student Conductors Hiring Event - October 20, 2026, Lake Jackson, TX

About the role

Watco is hiring Student Conductors in Seadrift, Texas. The position involves controlling and coordinating train movements while switching railcars in yards, industrial plants, or similar locations to facilitate safe and efficient loading and unloading for customers. This is a manual labor role requiring proficiency in various skills during a training period. Hiring event: October 20, 2026, 8 am‑4 pm at Hilton Garden Inn, 123 Huvar Street, Victoria, TX 77904 (no appointment necessary; you may pre‑apply via this posting).

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance
• Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule
• Read, write, and communicate in English & understand basic math
• Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment
• Read switching orders from designated person
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of train crews
• Receive oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer indicating which cars are to be switched
• Notify engineer of switching orders and, whereby, which cars are to be moved to specified locations of yard, using radio, verbal or hand signals
• Talk to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information
• Confer with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains
• Give instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars
• May assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations
• Turn hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake as well to apply and release handbrakes
• Observe track to detect obstructions
• Maintain records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched
• May 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
• Connect air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force
• May set warning signals, such as flares, flags, or lanterns at front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains
• Sit or ride in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members
• May make minor repairs to couplings, and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs
• Talk to Dispatcher via radio to give or receive switching information

Requirements

Must be able to pass and obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications required for the position. Education: High School or GED equivalent.

Skills

Valid Driver's Licence; flexibility to work days, nights, and weekends; ability to read, write, and communicate in English; basic math proficiency; good judgment; ability to follow directions; ability to learn from observations and mistakes.

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

Pay

Pay starts at $20/hour.

Schedule

Flexibility to work days, nights, and weekends required.