Rail Conductor: Switchyard Leader + Paid Training

Watco Transloading; Great Bend (KS); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Watco Transloading is hiring for a conductor/switchman to control and coordinate train movements during switching operations at yards or industrial sites, ensuring safe loading and unloading of railcars for customers. The role involves manual labor and rapid adherence to procedures learned during a structured introductory period.

You will join a team focused on reliable attendance, clear communication, and teamwork across locations, with paid on-the-job training and opportunities for advancement

Qualifications

• Must be able to pass and/or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position.
• Read, write, and communicate in English; understand basic math.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance
• Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule
• Read, write, and communicate in English & understand basic math
• Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment
• Reads switching orders from designated person
• Supervises and coordinates the activities of train crews
• Receives oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer indicating which cars are to be switched
• Notifies engineer of switching orders and, whereby, which cars are to be moved to specified locations of yard, using radio, verbal or hand signals
• Talks to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching informationConfers with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains
• Gives instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars
• May assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations.
• Turns hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake as well to apply and release handbrakes
• Observes track to detect obstructions
• Maintains records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched
• May coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower
• Raises coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars
• Throws track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signals Engineer to move cars, using lantern, arm signals or radio
• Connects air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force
• May set warning signals, such as flares, flags, or lanterns at front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains
• Sits or rides in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members
• May make minor repairs to couplings, and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs
• Talk to Dispatcher via radio to give or receive switching information

Job description

Watco Transloading is hiring for a conductor/switchman to control and coordinate train movements during switching operations at yards or industrial sites, ensuring safe loading and unloading of railcars for customers. The role involves manual labor and rapid adherence to procedures learned during a structured introductory period.

You will join a team focused on reliable attendance, clear communication, and teamwork across locations, with paid on-the-job training and opportunities for advancement