Rail Yard Conductor/Engineer — Hands-On Operations

Jaguar Transport Holdings, LLC; Vale (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Jaguar Transport Holdings, LLC is seeking a conductor/engineer to control and coordinate train movements when switching railcars in yards and facilities, ensuring safe and efficient unloading and loading for customers. This is a manual labor role requiring proficiency through a structured training period.

The job involves reading signals, following dispatch instructions, inspecting locomotives, and maintaining records of cars and cargo.

Qualifications

• High school education or GED.
• Must have or have had 49CFR242 and/or 49CFR240 qualifications
• At least 1-year job-related experience; or equivalent of education and experience.
• Ability to pass training and required testing.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Follow written and verbal directions to complete tasks on schedule.
• Read, write, and communicate in English and understand basic math.
• Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment
• Inspects locomotive before run to verify specified fuel, sand, water, and FRA requirements.
• Reads switching orders from designated person.
• Observes radio and hand signals in yard or in cab and operates locomotive in accordance with railroad rules and regulations.
• Observes arm or lantern signal and moves controls to move locomotive backwards or forwards to switch and couple cars; or receives starting signal and moves control; such as throttle and air brakes to operate locomotive.
• Reads and interprets wayside signals, track warrants and bulletins, and railroad rules and regulations to operate locomotive, following safety rules and regulations and time schedule.
• Talks to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information.
• Confers with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
• May assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations.
• Turns hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake and tie handbrakes.
• Inspects locomotive after run to detect damaged or defective equipment.
• 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.
• Climbs ladder to top of car, rides atop cars, and turns hand wheel to set brakes or to control the speed of the car when it has been shunted.
• Connects air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force.
• May walk along tops of cars and peer down between them to inspect couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes.
• May set warning signals, such as flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes 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, air hoses and journal boxes, and report any equipment requiring major repairs.
• Performs other duties as requested or required

Skills

Read & write English

Heavy lifting

Follow directions

Safety compliance

Railroad terminology

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Jaguar Transport Holdings, LLC is seeking a conductor/engineer to control and coordinate train movements when switching railcars in yards and facilities, ensuring safe and efficient unloading and loading for customers. This is a manual labor role requiring proficiency through a structured training period.

The job involves reading signals, following dispatch instructions, inspecting locomotives, and maintaining records of cars and cargo.