Operator -Rail Support

Vulcan Materials Company; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Materials Company in Savannah, GA, seeks a rail operations technician to support loading, unloading, and railcar handling. You will weigh trucks, log data, process bills of lading, and perform routine inspections of rail equipment to ensure safe and compliant movement of products.

The role requires operating switches, uncoupling levers, and remote control devices; lifting up to 45 pounds; and collaborating with a crew to maintain production flow and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Proficient in operating and maintaining rail equipment.
• Strong mechanical and electrical skills.
• Excellent communication skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to operate hand switches, pneumatic valves, and related equipment.
• Ability to read and understand manuals/schematics.

Responsibilities

• Weigh trucks on scale and enter data into computer systems.
• Collect cash/checks and interface with personnel and haulers.
• Generate bills of sale, dray tickets, and bills of lading.
• Inspect equipment on cars and perform minor repairs; replace broken components.
• Operate switches, uncoupling levers, and remote control devices; monitor train movements.
• Maintain and inspect rail equipment including locomotives and railcars.
• Perform safety inspections and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Receive directions from supervisor and discuss with crew members.
• Work in high, precarious, or cramped spaces; lift up to 45 pounds.
• Travel with train routes and work overtime when required.

Skills

Rail equipment operation

Mechanical skills

Electrical skills

Communication skills

Switching operations

Reading manuals/schematics

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

• Job requirements include weighing trucks on scale; entering appropriate data into computer (price, product, weight, customer name, etc.)
• Collecting cash/checks; interfacing with company personnel and with outside haulers
• Generating bill of sale, dray tickets, and bills of lading
• Inspect all equipment on cars prior to movement. Instruct locomotive operator threw radio communication in coupling and uncoupling cars, operate switches, and make minor repairs to railcars, including replacing heavy couplings; i.e., replacing broken knuckles or air brake hoses
• Required to operate switches; operate uncoupling levers; operate remote control devices; sets/releases hand brakes; inspects and makes minor train repairs; comprehends color and/or hand signals, safety, operating rules and communications; and, switching activities and train movements
• Operate and maintain rail equipment, including locomotives, railcars, and other specialized equipment
• Conduct regular inspections of rail equipment to ensure safety and compliance with regulations
• Perform minor repairs and maintenance on rail equipment
• Receive and review directions from supervisor, lead man and clerk and discuss with locomotive engineer and other crew members
• The employee may work in high and/or precarious places or cramped work space that requires getting into awkward positions
• Must be able to stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; grip, climb, reach, shovel, squat, crawl, or pull, push, as well as, bend and lift up to 45 pounds
• Must be able to speak, read, and have a working knowledge of the English language if required for the position
• Performs start-up and shut down procedures and monitors material flow, load out settings throughout assigned responsible area, making adjustments as required to maximize production and to provide a quality product along with operating same such machines to load same finished product into rail car
• Comply with all safety rules and regulations

Essential Functions

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Job requirements include weighing trucks on scale; entering appropriate data into computer (price, product, weight, customer name, etc.)
• Collecting cash/checks; interfacing with company personnel and with outside haulers
• Generating bill of sale, dray tickets, and bills of lading
• Inspect all equipment on cars prior to movement. Instruct locomotive operator threw radio communication in coupling and uncoupling cars, operate switches, and make minor repairs to railcars, including replacing heavy couplings; i.e., replacing broken knuckles or air brake hoses
• Required to operate switches; operate uncoupling levers; operate remote control devices; sets/releases hand brakes; inspects and makes minor train repairs; comprehends color and/or hand signals, safety, operating rules and communications; and, switching activities and train movements
• Operate and maintain rail equipment, including locomotives, railcars, and other specialized equipment
• Conduct regular inspections of rail equipment to ensure safety and compliance with regulations
• Perform minor repairs and maintenance on rail equipment
• Receive and review directions from supervisor, lead man and clerk and discuss with locomotive engineer and other crew members
• The employee may work in high and/or precarious places or cramped work space that requires getting into awkward positions
• Must be able to stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; grip, climb, reach, shovel, squat, crawl, or pull, push, as well as, bend and lift up to 45 pounds
• Must be able to speak, read, and have a working knowledge of the English language if required for the position
• Performs start-up and shut down procedures and monitors material flow, load out settings throughout assigned responsible area, making adjustments as required to maximize production and to provide a quality product along with operating same such machines to load same finished product into rail car
• Comply with all safety rules and regulations

Critical Competencies

• Technical Expertise-Solid mechanical understanding of mobile equipment, including basic maintenance checks and troubleshooting minor issues. Ability to identify signs of equipment malfunction and report them to the maintenance team.
• Problem Solving- identify, analyze, and resolve work-related issues efficiently and effectively using practical knowledge, experience, and hands-on skills. This involves identifying the problem, diagnosing the cause, finding practical solutions, implementing fixes, and adapting to unexpected challenges.
• Safety Awareness- Ability to recognize, understand, and adhere to safety protocols and procedures in the workplace; proactive in identifying potential hazards, taking steps to mitigate risks, and ensuring that both personal and collective safety are maintained in all tasks and environments.
• Collaboration- Ability to work effectively with others to achieve common goals by fostering teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect. It involves actively listening, sharing ideas, problem-solving collectively, and leveraging diverse skills and perspectives. Strong collaboration requires adaptability, conflict resolution, and a willingness to support team members, ensuring productivity and a positive work environment.
• Adaptability: Adjusts to new conditions, challenges, or changes in the work environment; demonstrate the ability to be flexible, open-minded, and resilient when facing shifting priorities, unforeseen obstacles, or evolving situations; responds positively to change, learns new skills when necessary, and maintains high performance even in unfamiliar or uncertain circumstances.

Responsibilities

Education

• High School Diploma/GED or an equivalent combination of training and work experience.

Experience

• Office and clerical experience, word processing, and calculator operations are preferred.
• Knowledge of the rail weight regulations, capacities, and limitations is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Proficient in operating and maintaining rail equipment, including locomotives, railcars, and other specialized equipment.
• Strong mechanical and electrical skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to perform switching, loading/unloading, breaking or making up of trains.
• Must be able to operate hand controlled rail switches, pneumatic air valves, manual hand-wheel brakes on railcars, high pressure water hoses, pry bar and shovel
• Able to safely and efficiently operate rail load out through the use of conveyor belts, crushers, motor, gear boxes, screens, etc.
• Work outdoors and exposed to varying and/or extreme weather conditions (i.e., heat, wet, cold, etc.)
• Strong mechanical and electrical skills.
• Ability to read and understand technical manuals and schematic

Other Requirements

• Must be able to work required overtime, weekends and flexible work schedule as needed
• Travel with the train on its assigned route to protect the movement of train
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment
• Strong mechanical and electrical skills
• Valid driver's license

JD Disclaimer

Vulcan Materials Company is an equal opportunity employer.