Buffalo, NY Train Conductor

Norfolk Southern; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) eligibility

Overtime pay

Vacation eligibility

Job summary

Norfolk Southern seeks a Conductor to join our team in Buffalo, NY. In this safety-sensitive role, you will inspect and operate trains, ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Training lasts 20 weeks at the company's training center, with accommodations provided. The position requires on-call availability and offers competitive compensation including a minimum of $200 per shift and potential to earn over $100,000 as an engineer. Medical insurance and retirement benefits are included.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must hold a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation.
• Ability to report to work within 90 minutes.
• Must pass pre-employment FRA drug and alcohol screening.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Build and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment.
• Operate remote control locomotives.
• Maintain compliance with safety regulations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Effective communication

Ability to work outdoors

Reliability in reporting to work

Job description

Description

At Norfolk Southern, we believe that our people power progress. Our culture is built on our SPIRIT values—Safety, Performance, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Teamwork—which guide how we work, lead, and grow together. If you’re ready to be part of a dynamic team and contribute to one of the nation’s premier transportation companies, we invite you to explore the conductor role.

What You Should Know

• This is a seniority-based job. You'll start out on the extra board, filling in where needed, until you build enough seniority to bid on a regular assignment.

• You must be available to work on-call, 24/7, with as little as 90 minutes' notice.

• Expect to spend 2-3 days away from home weekly.

• You will be required to join a union within 60 days after completing training.

Training

On the job training lasts about 20 weeks, depending on the complexity of your assigned location; this training can go beyond 20 weeks. Training includes classroom instruction, field training, and on-the-job experience. The first 5 weeks take place at the Norfolk Southern Training Center in McDonough, GA. During this time, the company provides hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement from your hire location. The remaining weeks of training will be completed at your assigned location. To successfully complete the program and earn your promotion and certification, you must pass all classroom, field, and on-the-job requirements. This includes written exams and field evaluations covering physical characteristics, operating rules, safety, hazmat, and signal rules.

Job Responsibilities

• Build and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment for safe operation.

• Operate remote control locomotives and perform tasks such as coupling, aligning drawbars, applying hand brakes, and riding railcars.

• Communicate effectively with crews, dispatchers, and yard controllers.

• Maintain accurate documentation and comply with all FRA and company safety regulations.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications - Required

• Must be 18 years or older.

• Must hold a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation.

• Ability to report to work within 90 minutes.

• Clean driving record in the past 36 months, without any suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial of your driver's license resulting from a drug or alcohol-related incident.

• Must not have been involved in diversion or probation or pleaded guilty to a drug or alcohol-related driving incident.

• Must not have refused to undergo a drug or alcohol test related to the operation of a motor vehicle.

• Must pass pre-employment Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) drug and alcohol screening.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Qualifications - Preferred

• Experience working outdoors in various weather conditions.

• Experience with heavy equipment or in physically demanding roles.

• Experience working non-traditional shifts, on call, and/or 12+ hour shifts.

Physical and Mental Job Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 85 lbs.

• Ability to meet physical standards which may include, but are not limited to, Hang Test and other FRA requirements.

• Ability to hang from a rail car ladder with 3 points of contact for 1 minute 15 seconds per side.

• Ability to walk up to several miles per shift on uneven terrain.

• Ability to meet FRA medical requirements including visual and color vision and hearing standards.

Work Conditions

• Work outdoors in all weather conditions.

• Irregular schedules, including on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Must be available for call 24/7.

• This is a safety-sensitive position requiring constant alertness while working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines.

Compensation and Benefits

• Conductor Trainees earn a minimum of $200 per shift during on-the-job training, with overtime at $25/hour.

• First-year conductors average $70,000 annually; experienced conductors average $84,000.

• Locomotive engineers earn a guaranteed minimum of $94,000, with potential to exceed $100,000.

• Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents begins the second calendar month of employment.

• After one year: dental, life insurance, and 401(k) eligibility.

• Covered under Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes.

• Vacation eligibility is described in company policy.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.