Railroad Switchman

Road & Rail Services; Kentucky; On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Annual boot allowance

Company-provided PPE

Yearly safety bonus

Job summary

Road & Rail Services is seeking a dependable Railroad Switchman to join our on-site operations team. This hands-on role involves safely switching, spotting, and moving railcars, requiring alert decision-making and clear communication with the rail crew. The position emphasizes safety, outdoor work, and adherence to procedures in varying weather conditions. Starting pay is $21/hour.

Qualifications

• Must have strong situational awareness and safe decision-making around moving equipment.
• Clear communication with locomotive operators and crew is essential.
• Mechanical aptitude to perform switching duties and equipment tasks.
• Strong safety awareness and ability to follow procedures.
• Ability to work as part of a rail crew and independently when required.

Responsibilities

• Safely switch, spot, and position railcars throughout the facility.
• Build trains and prep cuts of railcars for movement.
• Deliver cuts of cars to Class I and Short Line connections.
• Couple and uncouple railcars during switching operations.
• Operate manual switches, derails, and track-related equipment.
• Apply and release railcar hand brakes.
• Judge railcar speed, distance, and clearance points.
• Communicate instructions via radios, hand signals, and written orders.
• Assist with minor railcar repairs, including air hoses and knuckles.
• Operate a backhoe as required by the operation.
• Inspect work areas and equipment for safety concerns.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions or problems.
• Perform general maintenance and housekeeping duties.
• Follow all safety procedures and wear PPE.

Skills

Situational awareness

Clear communication

Mechanical aptitude

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Independent work

Tools

Backhoe operation

Job description

Railroad Switchman

Road & Rail Services
Starting Pay: $21.00 per hour
Job Type: Full-Time | On-Site

Build Your Career in Railroad Operations

Road & Rail Services is seeking a dependable, safety-focused Railroad Switchman to join our operations team. This is a hands-on railroad position responsible for helping safely switch, spot, organize, and move railcars using locomotive power.

As a Switchman, you will work closely with other members of the rail crew to coordinate movements and ensure railcars are placed in the correct locations. This position requires excellent situational awareness, clear communication, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to follow railroad operating procedures consistently.

Railroad switching is active outdoor work. Candidates must be comfortable working around locomotives, moving railcars, tracks, switches, and heavy equipment in changing weather conditions.

What You'll Do

Safely switch, spot, and position railcars throughout the facility

Build trains and prepare cuts of railcars for movement

Deliver cuts of cars to Class I and Short Line railroad connections as required

Couple and uncouple railcars during switching operations

Operate manual switches, derails, and other track-related equipment

Apply and release railcar hand brakes

Judge railcar speed, track distance, and clearance points during movements

Communicate instructions using radios, approved hand signals, verbal communication, and written instructions

Assist with minor railcar repairs, including replacing air hoses and knuckles when necessary

Operate a backhoe as required by the operation

Inspect work areas and equipment for potential safety concerns

Immediately report unsafe conditions, equipment problems, or operational concerns

Perform general maintenance and housekeeping duties as assigned

Follow all company, customer, industry, and railroad safety procedures

Properly wear and maintain required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

What We're Looking For

Successful Switchmen must be able to remain alert and make safe decisions while working around moving railroad equipment.

Qualified candidates should have:

Ability to meet applicable requirements of 49 CFR Part 240, Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers

Mechanical aptitude necessary to successfully perform assigned railroad duties

Ability to operate a backhoe

Valid state-issued driver's license

Strong safety awareness and situational judgment

Ability to understand and follow railroad operating procedures

Ability to communicate effectively with locomotive operators, crew members, and supervision

Ability to work independently when required

Ability to work effectively as part of a rail crew

Dependable attendance and punctuality

Willingness to learn additional railroad operating responsibilities

Schedule & Work Environment

This position operates in an active railroad environment and requires employees to work outdoors throughout the year.

Candidates must be prepared to work in heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, dust, noise, and other changing conditions.

The position requires frequent walking over railroad ballast and other uneven surfaces, along with bending, twisting, reaching, climbing, standing, and other physical movements throughout the shift.

Employees must be available for a flexible work schedule, including weekends and on-call assignments, based on operational requirements.

All required PPE must be properly worn while performing assigned work.

Pay & Benefits

Starting Pay: $21.00 per hour

Road & Rail Services offers eligible full-time employees:

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Annual steel-toe boot allowance

Company-provided PPE

Yearly safety bonus opportunities

Training and development opportunities

Opportunities for advancement

Veteran-friendly workplace

Promote-from-within culture

Grow With Road & Rail Services

Established in 1987, Road & Rail Services has grown into a leading provider of rail-related services throughout North America. Our experienced teams provide plant and terminal operating services along with field maintenance of rail assets for railroads, rail shippers, and owners of rail-related equipment and facilities.

Road & Rail Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.