Inspection Specialist 1

Sasser Family Companies; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

100% Company-paid disability and life insurance

401K plan with company match

Paid vacation time and holidays

Paid parental leave

Training and tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A transportation asset services company in Chicago is seeking an Inspection Specialist 1 to handle railcar repair estimates and ensure compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate will possess an associate's degree or equivalent experience and communicate effectively with various internal and external stakeholders. This role offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401K matching, and paid vacation. Join a company recognized as one of the best places to work in the Chicago area.

Qualifications

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed instructions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical documents and regulations.
• Capable of basic arithmetic operations.

Responsibilities

• Perform railcar estimating and inventory control.
• Communicate with internal and external personnel regarding cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct inspections and prepare documentation as needed.
• Interact with customers and outside inspectors.
• Communicate work area status to site personnel.
• Wear PPE as required.
• Complete education/formal training requirements.

Skills

Basic math skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent

Six months to one year related experience

Tools

AAR Field Manual

BRC System

Job description

Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Fortune Magazine and Great Place to Work , Sasser prides itself on supporting an employee-driven, opportunity-based culture that empowers, recognizes, and rewards its employees. From highly competitive benefits to exciting employee events to organic, grassroots philanthropy and volunteerism, Sasser is an awesome place to begin and grow your career. We are a transportation asset services and management company with roots dating to 1928. Sasser’s subsidiary units are leaders in providing commercial- and industrial-focused rail, automotive, and containerized shipping solutions, including asset leasing, fleet administration management, asset repair and maintenance, and innovative technology services. Sasser Family Companies includes subsidiaries Chicago Freight Car Leasing, Union Leasing, CF Rail Services, Express 4x4 Truck Rental, and Falcon Lease. To learn more about what makes Sasser special, visit www.sasser.com .

The Inspection Specialist 1 is responsible for creating railcar repair estimates via visual inspection and entry into the BRC system to assist supervisory personnel in leading and directing railcar production for the facility

The successful candidate will be capable of communicating with various internal facility personnel and external personnel, such as vendors and car owners, to determine the cost-effectiveness of car repairs while generating profitable margins.

As a Inspection Specialist 1, Here’s What You’ll Do:

Responsibilities

• Learn and adhere to all CFRS safety procedures.
• Learn the basic flow and logistics of the railroad industry and repair business.
• Follow written and verbal directions and have basic math, reading, and writing skills while effectively working in a team environment, including but not limited to BRC work order understanding, associated regulatory/CFRS/customer forms, and execution without instructional intervention.
• Perform railcar estimating, auditing, billing, data entry, and inventory control.
• Proficiently use AAR field manual and associated regulatory materials.
• Properly use AAR Rule 1 and various inspection gauges.
• Prepare and review BRC's to ensure compliance with customer, CFRS and regulatory requirements.
• Complete required documentation per customer, CFRS and regulatory requirements.
• Identify associated parts to prepare accurate material pick list via the creation of BRS.
• Utilize mobile and/or desktop hardware for operational effectiveness.
• Interact with customers and outside inspectors.
• Possesses the knowledge of railcar anatomy, being capable of identifying car/component defects and the proper repair required outside of the AAR Interchange Rules.
• Periodically review estimate accuracy with shop floor supervisors to accomplish and maintain proper shop productivity.
• Fulfill CFRS WIS requirements (Weld Inspection capabilities).
• Perform in-depth review of work order estimates and BRC's prior to customer authorization.
• During repair procedures, solicit approval for additional repair defects not originally included in the estimate.
• Communicate work area status/activities to site personnel to ensure consistent departmental output.
• Successfully complete this position’s "Education/Formal Training" requirements.
• Wear PPE in appropriate areas.

Note: Responsibilities include the expectation to always act to support the interests of the department and organization and to perform other duties as assigned to ensure the successful achievement of departmental and company objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or six months to one year of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Successfully pass the following courses with an 80% or higher score coordinated by CF Rail Management:
  • AAR Interchange Rules
  • AAR Billing Repair Card for Interchange Rules
  • FRA Freight Car Safety Standards
  • Lettering and Marking
  • Freight Car Inspection Overview
  • Basics of Railroad Wheels
  • Car Air Brakes (chalk talk two)
  • FRA Railroad Safety Appliance Standards (Condensed Course)

Hard Skills

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Work will be performed outdoors and indoors, on and around heavy equipment. The employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. May be required to work overtime and/or varied shifts to meet the demands of the business.

Work assignments involve standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing, crawling, and crouching in strained and awkward positions for prolonged periods of time at various heights up to 20 feet. Uses hands, legs, and arms to climb vertical ladders to staging or suspended platforms. Lifts, carries, and sets up equipment and components that weigh up to 50 lbs. Employee must be medically certified to wear a respirator, as well as be able to wear respirators for prolonged periods of time.

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This role is also eligible for benefits. Sasser employees enjoy a competitive benefits program that:

• Includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including HSA and FSA accounts with employer contributions toward HSA
• Includes a 100% Company-paid disability and life insurance plans
• Includes a 401K plan with company match PLUS additional end-of-year funding
• Provides paid vacation time (tiered based on tenure), as well as personal time, sick days and summer half days for certain roles
• Provides 10 paid holidays annually
• Provides paid parental leave for new parents, as well as a monetary gift towards a 529 education account
• Provides a confidential Employee Assistance Program
• Provides training and tuition reimbursement
• Provides community service opportunities, charity match opportunities, employee recognition programs, and many celebrations!

The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.