Rail Yard Switchman — Paid Training & Career Growth

Watco Transloading; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and benefits

Paid on-the-job training

Watco University training programs

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Watco Transloading in the Northern Kentucky region is hiring a Switchman. The role involves controlling and coordinating railcar movements in yards or industrial sites to enable safe loading and unloading, with a 5:00am to 3:30pm schedule and a $21.00 hourly rate.

You will read orders, follow instructions, communicate with engineers and yard crews, perform basic repairs, maintain records, and observe safety rules.

Qualifications

• Must be able to pass and/or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule.
• Read, write, and communicate in English and understand basic math.
• Learn from directions, observations, and coaching and apply procedures using good judgment.
• Read switching orders from designated person.
• Receive oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer on which cars are to be switched.
• Notify engineer of switching orders and which cars are to be moved to specified locations in the yard using radio, verbal, or hand signals.
• Communicate with crew or other yard workers via radio to exchange switching information.
• Confer with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions regarding stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
• Follow instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars.
• Turn hand brake wheel or ratchet-type brake to apply and release handbrakes.
• Observe track to detect obstructions.
• Maintain records of car numbers, origin, destination, and cargo switched.
• Coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower.
• Raise coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars.
• Throw track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signal Engineer to move cars using lantern, arm signals, or radio.
• Connect air hoses to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force.
• Set warning signals, such as flares, flags, or lanterns, at the front and rear of the train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
• Sit or ride in the cab of the locomotive to observe signals from other crew members.
• Make minor repairs to couplings and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs.
• Communicate with Dispatcher via radio to exchange switching information.
• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

Job description

Watco Transloading in the Northern Kentucky region is hiring a Switchman. The role involves controlling and coordinating railcar movements in yards or industrial sites to enable safe loading and unloading, with a 5:00am to 3:30pm schedule and a $21.00 hourly rate.

You will read orders, follow instructions, communicate with engineers and yard crews, perform basic repairs, maintain records, and observe safety rules.