Conductor/Engineer

Burlington Junction Railway; Wever (IA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental

Voluntary benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Vacation time

Safety bonus

Clothing allowance

Boot allowance

Job summary

Burlington Junction Railway is hiring a Conductor in Wever, IA to oversee safe, efficient railcar movements and coordinate switching operations. You’ll conduct briefings, inspect equipment, maintain records, and work closely with engineers and customers to meet delivery schedules.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma or GED, strong communication skills, valid driver's license, and the ability to learn and apply operating rules. Training and background screening are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Prior railroad, industrial switching, transportation, military, construction, agriculture, warehouse, or heavy-equipment experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to learn and apply operating rules, timetables, special instructions, safety procedures, and customer requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly by radio and in person and to give, receive, repeat, and confirm movement instructions.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to successfully complete company training, examinations, qualification requirements, background screening, and applicable drug-and-alcohol testing.

Responsibilities

• Participate in and, when assigned, lead thorough job briefings before work begins and whenever conditions, plans, personnel, or hazards change.
• Coordinate train and switching movements using approved radio communications, hand signals, and applicable operating rules.
• Line and inspect switches; operate derails, handbrakes, couplers, angle cocks, and other railroad equipment.
• Protect shove movements, crossings, track occupancy, and equipment in accordance with company rules and applicable regulations.
• Inspect railcars, locomotives, loads, tracks, and work areas for visible defects or unsafe conditions; promptly report and protect identified hazards.
• Couple and uncouple railcars and air hoses; assist with required air-brake tests and confirm equipment is properly secured.
• Build, classify, spot, pull, and secure railcar cuts based on work orders, switch lists, customer needs, and crew instructions.
• Maintain accurate switch lists, train documentation, car counts, placement records, delay information, and other required operating records.
• Communicate professionally with customers while ensuring production requests never override safety rules or operating authority.
• Apply stop-work authority when a movement, instruction, condition, or communication is unsafe or unclear.
• Protect company property and maintain locomotives, radios, vehicles, and work areas in a clean and orderly condition.

Skills

Radio communication

Clear communication

Driving license

Safety training

Learn operating rules

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Wever, United States | Posted on 09/10/2026

Burlington Junction Railway has been in operation since 1985 providing flexible and reliable shipping and receiving services by rail. We handle a wide variety of commodities including: wallboard, lumber, bulk liquids, dry bulk, machinery, steel rebar, specialty oversize shipments, and many more. Let us evaluate your rail shipping needs and help you take advantage of freight rail efficiencies.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Conductor is responsible for the safe, efficient, andcompliant movement of railcars and trains. The position coordinates switchingactivities, conducts job briefings, communicates movement instructions,inspects equipment, maintains required records, and works closely withlocomotive engineers, customers, and other operating employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in and, when assigned, lead thoroughjob briefings before work begins and whenever conditions, plans, personnel, orhazards change.
• Coordinate train and switching movements usingapproved radio communications, hand signals, and applicable operating rules.
• Line and inspect switches; operate derails, handbrakes, couplers, angle cocks, and other railroad equipment.
• Protect shove movements, crossings, trackoccupancy, and equipment in accordance with company rules and applicableregulations.
• Inspect railcars, locomotives, loads, tracks,and work areas for visible defects or unsafe conditions; promptly report andprotect identified hazards.
• Couple and uncouple railcars and air hoses;assist with required air-brake tests and confirm equipment is properly secured.
• Build, classify, spot, pull, and secure railcarcuts based on work orders, switch lists, customer needs, and crew instructions.
• Maintain accurate switch lists, traindocumentation, car counts, placement records, delay information, and otherrequired operating records.
• Communicate professionally with customers whileensuring production requests never override safety rules or operatingauthority.
• Apply stop-work authority when a movement,instruction, condition, or communication is unsafe or unclear.
• Protect company property and maintainlocomotives, radios, vehicles, and work areas in a clean and orderly condition.
• Perform other railroad operating duties withintraining, qualification, and assignment.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Prior railroad, industrial switching,transportation, military, construction, agriculture, warehouse, orheavy-equipment experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to learn and apply operating rules,timetables, special instructions, safety procedures, and customer requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly by radio and inperson and to give, receive, repeat, and confirm movement instructions.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable drivingrecord.
• Ability to successfully complete companytraining, examinations, qualification requirements, background screening, andapplicable drug-and-alcohol testing.

Requirements

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Prior railroad, industrial switching,transportation, military, construction, agriculture, warehouse, orheavy-equipment experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to learn and apply operating rules,timetables, special instructions, safety procedures, and customer requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly by radio and inperson and to give, receive, repeat, and confirm movement instructions.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable drivingrecord.
• Ability to successfully complete companytraining, examinations, qualification requirements, background screening, andapplicable drug-and-alcohol testing.

Core Competencies

• Safety leadership and rule compliance
• Situational awareness
• Clear communication and radio discipline
• Reliability and punctuality
• Sound judgment under changing conditions
• Teamwork and accountability

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements below describe typical demands ofthe position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualifiedindividuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequently stand and walk on uneven ballast,tracks, industrial surfaces, stairs, and outdoor terrain.
• Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach,grasp, push, pull, and maintain balance around equipment.
• Regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds andoccasionally handle greater forces with assistance or approved mechanicaldevices, depending on the assignment.
• Climb steps, ladders, and equipment and work atheights when required and properly protected.
• See, hear, and communicate sufficiently torecognize signals, radio instructions, alarms, equipment movement, andworkplace hazards.
• Use hands and feet to operate tools, controls,brakes, switches, hoses, and equipment appropriate to the position.
• Work extended shifts or overtime whenoperationally necessary, subject to applicable law and company policy.

Work Environment and Schedule

• Work is performed in railroad yards, industrialfacilities, shops, customer locations, rights-of-way, and outdoor areas.
• Regular exposure to heat, cold, rain, snow,wind, dust, grease, fumes, noise, vibration, moving equipment, and unevenwalking surfaces.
• Required use of personal protective equipment willinclude safety footwear, high-visibility clothing, eye and hearing protection,gloves, hard hat, fall protection, and respiratory protection depending on thetask.
• The position may require nights, weekends,holidays, overtime, call outs, travel, or variable start times based onoperational needs.

Safety, Regulatory, and Conduct Expectations

• Follow all company rules, operating practices,customer-site requirements, and applicable federal, state, and localrequirements.
• Report fit for duty and remain free fromprohibited drug and alcohol use; participate in testing when required byapplicable law or company policy.
• Immediately report injuries, incidents, hazards,damaged equipment, rule violations, and unsafe conditions.
• Use required personal protective equipment andexercise stop-work authority when work cannot be performed safely.
• Maintain professional, respectful conduct andprotect confidential, customer, and company information.

Other Duties and Job-Description Notice

This description identifies the principal duties andrequirements of the position. It is not intended to list every duty,responsibility, or qualification. Burlington Junction Railway may be modified assignments based on operational needs, employee qualifications, businessconditions, and applicable law. Employment remains subject to applicablecompany policies and any written employment agreement.

Benefits and additional compensation

• Health and dental: Eligibility begins the first day of the month following your hire date. The Company currently pays the major medical and dental premium for employee-and-family or employee-and-spouse coverage, subject to plan eligibility and enrollment requirements.
• Voluntary benefits: Opportunity to enroll, at employee expense, in vision, cancer, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, and short-term disability coverage.
• Retirement: Railroad Retirement benefits and eligibility to participate in the Company's 401(k) plan, in accordance with applicable law and plan terms.
• Vacation: New employees receive 88 hours of vacation time, prorated based on hire date and administered in accordance with Company policy.
• Safety bonus: Opportunity to earn up to $400 per month under the Company's safety bonus program. Bonuses are not guaranteed and are subject to program terms and eligibility requirements.
• Work-related allowances: $500 annual clothing and boot allowance, plus up to $250 toward prescription safety glasses, subject to Company policy, eligibility, and required documentation.

Burlington Junction Railway is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.