NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC BELT RAILROAD CORPORATION (NOPB)
Title: SWITCHMAN
POSITION SUMMARY:
Receives, relays or acts upon oral, written or radio instructions from Yardmasters, Trainmasters, or dispatchers indicating the switch movement, placement or delivery of railcars (cars) and/or a train.
Reports directly to the NOPB Trainmasters.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and in accordance with the provisions of applicable labor agreements.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education and/or Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Associate’s degree preferred.
- 2 years’ work experience or equivalent training required.
Licenses and/or Certifications
- Current driver’s license with clear driving record is required.
Skills
- Ability to read, write, and understand the English language
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide two- and three-digit numbers
- Manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination required
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions
- Ability to recognize dangerous situations and take precautions
- Ability to think and act quickly in responding to emergency and non-emergency situations
- Ability to make independent judgments using reasoning skills and knowledge
- Judging condition or status of objects/parts
- Judging speed and/or distance of moving objects/parts
- Understanding visual displays
- Recognizing basic colors and color variations
- Recognizing sounds/changes in sounds
- Exercising physical strength and/or endurance
- Climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials
- Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, yard personnel, switching crews, engineers, railroad officials and others in a clear, concise, courteous, efficient and professional manner by telephone, by email, in written form, or in person.
Availability
The employee must regularly be available for any shift and occasionally will be required to work extended hours and shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conducts the movement of cars and train movements.
- Observes, interprets and relays arm, lantern, or radio signals and all other indications affecting movement of a train. Communicates signals to locomotive engineers and other crew members.
- Operates track switches (visually checks switch condition and route) to change the direction of the locomotive or cars within yard limits or on main line track; may apply or release hand brakes to switch or perform other duties.
- Climbs ladders to tops of cars, rides atop cars, and turns handwheel to set brakes or to control the speed of the cars.
- Sets flares, flags, and lanterns in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
- Monitors and reviews information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Inspects tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
- Inspects couplings, air hoses, and handbrakes to ensure they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
- Raises levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
- Connects air hoses to cars, using wrenches.
- May couple air and electrical connections between locomotives when making up trains.
- Makes minor repairs to couplings and air hoses using hand tools.
- Enters, transcribes, records, stores, and/or maintains information in written or electronic format including, but not limited to, car initials/numbers, origins, destinations, hazmat data, and cars switched.
- Reads and understands the NOPB Safety & Operating Rules, timetables, bulletins, train orders, waybills, placards, safety instructions, and other written or printed material.
- Operates company vehicles (automobiles, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles, light-duty trucks) as requested and in accordance with company policy. Must have a clear driving record.
- Communicates by two-way radio with Yardmasters, Trainmasters, and other Transportation crews concerning movement of rail equipment and trains.
- Communicates with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, members of the public, representatives of government, and other external sources.
- Performs other Transportation-related duties as assigned by authorizing company officers.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Must be able to work in all types of weather conditions, and during both daytime and nighttime.
- Good hearing and vision required. Eye protection must be worn at all times.
- Use of noise suppressors and/or hearing protection required when working around loud noises.
- Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to work with hands and arms overhead.
- Must be able to push, pull, lift, and carry up to 25 pounds frequently, 50 pounds occasionally, and assist in the infrequent movement of weights of up to 100 pounds.
- Must be able to operate track switches and climb ladders.
- Must be able to walk and work on ballast or other uneven surfaces.
- Must be able to climb ladders to heights of approximately 25 feet or higher and routinely work at such heights.
- The employee occasionally works at heights exceeding 150 feet above the ground.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving objects and mechanical parts and in close association with rail equipment by connecting, disconnecting, and controlling the movement of cars and trains. The employee regularly climbs ladders attached to cars and locomotives.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Employee will be required to pass basic written and field operations tests.
- Safety equipment and personal protective equipment must be worn when and where needed.
- Employee must have dependable transportation and a telephone.
- Employee will be required to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
- All positions require pre-employment background verification, medical review, and drug and alcohol screens.
The duties, responsibilities and qualifications in this posting are representative categories to be used by an applicant in deciding whether to apply for the position. These general guidelines do not constitute an exhaustive list of qualifications or essential functions of the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $32.17 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Work Location: Multiple locations