Carman Trainee (Alaska Railroad)

State of Alaska; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Alaska Railroad Corporation is seeking a Trainee Mechanical Carmen to join a structured training program designed to attain Journeyman Carmen status. The role covers learning trade practices, proper tool usage, blueprint reading, and troubleshooting for freight and passenger cars.

The program emphasizes hands-on instruction, adherence to Federal Railroad Administration regulations, and documentation of repairs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet driving requirements.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 pounds.
• Experience in mechanical shop, equipment maintenance, or related field preferred.
• Willingness to learn multiple trades (welding, sheet metal, carpentry, pipe fitting).

Responsibilities

• Participate in a phased training program to become a Journeyman Carmen.
• Learn proper tool usage, parts assembly, reading blueprints, and troubleshooting.
• Perform inspections and maintenance on freight and passenger cars and related equipment.
• Assist in repairs following ARRC manuals and regulations.
• Document repairs and ensure compliance with applicable rules and laws.
• Work in indoor shop and outdoor settings with potential hazards and confined spaces.
• Meet minimum qualifications including lifting requirements and driving eligibility.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Blueprint reading

Multi-trade learning

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree in welding technology / heavy equipment

Job description

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

To provide a training program that enables the incumbent to attain Journeyman Carmen status and be able to perform the full range of inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, servicing and repair activities of freight and passenger cars, various standard equipment and components utilized throughout the railroad industry and maintenance shop environments. Work is performed in accordance with the Association of American Railroads Rules, APTA, Federal Railroad Administration Regulations, OSHA regulations and Alaska Railroad Corporation regulations and specifications.

Duties and Responsibilities:

As An Entry Status Mechanical Carmen:

The training program consists of a combination of self-study correspondence courses and on-the-job practical instruction provided by fully qualified Journeyman Carmen. Training is scheduled and phased. Assignments include learning such trade practices and skills as the proper usage of tools and equipment of the trade; the order of assembling parts and identifying tools and equipment; reading blueprints, sketches, and technical manuals to understand the functions of the parts or systems; planning and laying out work and troubleshooting parts, systems and components; repair techniques to include methods used in obtaining fits or tolerances/ making adjustments and calibrations; and rebuilding and manufacturing parts.

The Trainee performs operational functions and maintains working area in accordance with practices and procedures prescribed in the ARRC Manual of Safety Rules and Regulations for the General Guidance and Protections of Railroad Personnel. Incumbent is required to drive an ARRC vehicle at times. Performs routine inspection, troubleshooting, preventative maintenance and repairs to freight and passenger cars and related equipment and components. When applicable, all inspection and repair forms are signed, documenting and certifying all repairs were performed and completed in detail and in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and laws. During the course of an inspection, the use of various reference materials, manuals, specifications, regulations, gauges, hand tools and drawings may be required in order to ensure strict compliance with the regulations and applicable laws.

As a Journeyman Carmen:

Performs inspection of railroad rolling stock for defective conditions in accordance with applicable Federal Railroad Administration Regulations, Part 231, Railroad Safety Appliance Standards, Part 215, Railroad Freight Car Safety Standards and Part 238, Passenger Equipment Safety Standards. Defective equipment is removed from service based upon application of applicable guidelines. Component inspection includes all aspects of freight and passenger car anatomy. In the course of passenger and freight car inspection, applicable Federal Railroad Administration Regulation inspection forms are documented and signed.

Performs repairs to freight and passenger car rolling stock, both foreign and system, using various tools of trade. Repairs are performed are in accordance with Field Manual of the Association of American Railroads Interchange Rules and AAR Manual of Standards, encompassing all component removal, replacement and/or restoration of car anatomy. When applicable, as in of tank car valves repair, ARRC Quality Assurance inspection forms are documented and signed in accordance withTitle 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 179 Specifications for Tank Cars. Incumbent performs tank repairs in permit and non permit confined spaces.

Performs individual freight car and train consist air brake tests in compliance with Title 49, Transportation, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 232, Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and other non-passenger trains and equipment; end of train devices.

Provides guidance to shippers in the proper placement and securement of lading using Association of American Railroads Open Top Loading Rules and approved ARRC interline procedures. Performs load inspection to insure lading securement and loading compliance.

Responds to derailment situations, participating in re-railing activities associated with reestablishing mainline and service track access.

Provides necessary Blue Signal Protection perTitle 49, Transportation, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 218, Railroad Operating Practices.

Participates in various aspects of training, including apprentices and other Care Department employees, as required.

FACTOR 1: Skill and Knowledge

Knowledge of safe work practices and methods and maintenance of railroad equipment and work areas in accordance with practices and procedures prescribed in ARR Manual of Safety Rules and Regulations for General Guidance and Protection of Railroad Personnel. Ability to learn to perform the full range of repair, maintenance and overhaul to railroad equipment under the jurisdiction of the journeyman; e.g. freight and passenger cars. A basic knowledge of mathematics is required along with a practical knowledge of the principles underlying the work. The ability to read, write and communicate; learn to interpret blueprints, work instructions, and other technical guides of varying degrees of complexity is required. Must show good judgment in decision making and be able to improvise as required by the circumstances. Must be able to maintain alertness and concentrated attention on several ongoing projects simultaneously.

The incumbent will be trained on skills in more than one specific trade, including welding, sheet metal work, carpentry, pipe fitting, mechanical work and associated tooling. Trainees will learn to inspect equipment for defective conditions and determine status. Examples of inspected components are as follows: safety appliances, such as handholds, handbrakes, sill steps, ladders; air brake components, such as foundation brake rigging, air hoses, angle cocks, brake valves, air cylinders and reservoirs; truck assemblies, such as truck frame components including wheels, axles, journal roller bearings and boxes and associated equipment; underframe and draft attachment components, such as coupler assemblies, draft gears and associated components, as well as center plate/side bearing arrangements; and super structure assemblies, such as center sills, side posts, end sheets, roof sections, doors and interior of cars.

Incumbent must use initiative and sound judgment in the application of applicable rules and guidelines. It is preferred that incumbent have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of re railing procedures.

FACTOR 2: Responsibility

Incumbent works under supervision. The Mechanical Supervisor or Journeymen Carman provides precise instructions on new assignments. As the incumbent’s skills and knowledge increase, less direction is given such that at the conclusion of each training segment, the incumbent is able to perform those tasks alone.

FACTOR 3: Physical Effort

Work includes lifting and carrying tools, materials, and equipment, which may, at times, exceed 60 pounds. Also included is pushing and/or pulling objects of varying sizes and shapes weighing up to several hundred pounds. Work requires walking, climbing, crawling, bending, and standing for extended periods of time. Work also requires, in most cases, both physical stamina and coordination to complete assignments. Must be able to wear a respirator when performing various tasks.

FACTOR 4: Working Conditions

Generally, the work is done indoors in heated shops; however, at times work is done outdoors in all types of climatic conditions. Work involves exposure to dust, dirt, slag, grease, and grime. Soiling of clothing and skin surfaces is normal. Frequently, the incumbent is exposed to excessive noise, vibrations, gases, and fumes from petroleum products in addition to electric arc flashes during welding processes and excessive heat common to the trade. The incumbent works on concrete, earth, metal, and wood surfaces in crowded areas near moving machinery and equipment. At times, these surfaces may be uneven, slippery, icy, muddy, and/or greasy. Incumbent occasionally will come into contact with chemical compounds such as acids or caustic solutions, which would be common to the trade. Personal protective wear, i.e., steel toe shoes, gloves, hard hats, eyes and hearing protection, are available and utilized to reduce or prevent injuries.

Minimum Qualifications for a Carman Trainee

High school diploma or GED equivalent (Significant work-related experience may be substituted for the education requirement). Experience or training/education in one of the following is required:

• One year of practical work experience in a mechanical shop, equipment maintenance, equipment or building repair or construction environment.
• Completion of NIT or AVTEC (or similar) training in welding or heavy equipment or closely related field
• Associate’s degree in welding technology, heavy equipment or closely related field

Practical experience performing railroad rolling stock maintenance work is preferred. Experience in the following areas is preferred: machine shop, sheet metal work, welding fabrication, carpentry, pipefitting, or a heavy equipment shop. Previous experience operating overhead cranes is preferred. Must have sufficient skill to perform the following: work without more than normal supervision, assemble, install, repair, troubleshoot, use measuring instruments, and operate vehicles/equipment. Must be capable of using a respirator. Must have a valid driver’s license. To be considered a valid driver’s license, an employee must always maintain at least a three-year continuous period free of any Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Operating Under the Influence (OUI) convictions.

Must be capable of lifting 60 pounds.

IMPORTANT: Your application must clearly show how you meet each minimum qualification listed for this position. Do not assume reviewers will infer qualifications from job titles or general descriptions of duties. Applications are screened based on the information submitted.

Include all required and desired qualifications in your Applicant Profile and/or Resume. For any relevant experience, provide the employer name, job title, dates of employment, and whether the position was full-time or part-time.

Failure to provide sufficient information on your application to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications may result in disqualification from further consideration. Applicants who clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated along with other qualified applicants and may be considered for the next phase of the recruitment process.

If you are selected for an interview, then you MUST be able to submit a copy of a current drivers record that reflects the past three (3) years of driving history.

The State of Alaska DMV Driving Records are available online: https://online.dmv.alaska.gov/onlinedrivingrecords

THE FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION AND EXAMPLE OF DUTIES FOR THIS POSITION IS LOCATED UNDER CLASS SPECIFICATIONS (ENTER POSITION TITLE IN SEARCH):

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/ classspecs

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE

Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or [phone] if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to [e-mail].

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Alaska Railroad Human Resources Department

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 107500, Anchorage, AK 99510-7500
Street Address: 327 West Ship Creek, Anchorage, AK
Fax Number: [phone]

Alaska Railroad Corporation is an equal opportunity employer