Switchman - Cherokee, AL

Watco Switching Services, LLC; Alabama; On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid on-the-job training with peer

Leadership and development programs

Career advancement opportunities

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Watco Switching Services, LLC is hiring a Switchman in Cherokee, AL. The role involves controlling and coordinating train movements to load/unload railcars safely at rail yards, plants, or similar sites. It is a manual position requiring adherence to safety rules and precise switching procedures.

The position offers an hourly rate of $21.00 and a daytime schedule; training is provided on the job, with opportunities for advancement through Watco University and other development programs.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance
• Read switching orders from designated person
• Notify engineer of switching orders and which cars are to be moved to specified locations in the yard
• Coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower
• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions

Skills

English language

Basic math

Attendance

Communication

Job description

Career Opportunities: Switchman - Cherokee, AL (33902)

Requisition ID33902-Posted09/14/2026-Switching Operations

Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference

Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all on the same team. One Watco . Here's what you can expect from Watco:

• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation andbenefits
• Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
• Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco'sSafe Performance Center
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities

Job Summary

Hourly Rate: $21.00

Schedule: 5:00am to 3:30pm, M, Tu, Wed, Friday

The Switchman position will control and coordinate the train movements while switching railcars whether in the yard of a railroad, industrial plant, or similar location to facilitate the unloading and loading of railcars in a safe and efficient manner to service our customers. This position is a manual labor position which requires that the individual become proficient in the following skills, duties, and requirements within a prescribed training and introductory period. This job description is intended to be general and illustrative of the typical duties required of the position. It is not all-inclusive and does not detail every task that may be assigned to the incumbent.

Essential Duties and 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

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Must be able to pass and or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position.