Railroad Switchman

Road & Rail Services, Inc.; Madison (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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

Job summary

Road & Rail Services, established in 1987, is seeking a dependable Railroad Switchman to join our operations team. This on-site role involves safely switching, spotting, and moving railcars, coordinating with the rail crew, and following strict operating procedures.

Starting pay is $21.00 per hour. The job requires outdoor, year-round work around locomotives and heavy equipment, with opportunities for advancement and benefits for full-time employees.

Qualifications

• 49 CFR Part 240 certification/qualification required.
• Mechanical aptitude for railroad duties.
• Valid state driver's license.
• Strong safety awareness and situational judgment.
• Ability to operate a backhoe.
• Ability to communicate with locomotive operators and crew.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a rail crew.

Responsibilities

• 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, hand signals, verbal communication, and written instructions.
• Assist with minor railcar repairs, including replacing air hoses and knuckles.
• Operate a backhoe as required by the operation.
• Inspect work areas and equipment for safety concerns.
• Report unsafe conditions or problems immediately.
• Perform general maintenance and housekeeping duties.
• Follow all safety procedures and wear PPE.

Job description

Railroad Switchman

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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.