Train Conductor

Jobtailor; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking skilled railroad professionals to safely operate freight trains, coupling railcars, and delivering railcars to customers. The role requires coordinating with crews, dispatchers, and yard controllers while maintaining compliant electronic documentation and inspections.

You will also troubleshoot issues, operate remote-control locomotives, and meet FRA safety regulations. Candidates must be able to report within 90 minutes, hold a valid driver's license, and be willing to join

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Valid Driver's License required.
• Ability to report to work within 90 minutes.
• Clean driving record (past 36 months) with no drug- or alcohol-related suspensions or denials.
• Not involved in diversion, probation, or guilty plea for drug- or alcohol-related driving incidents.
• Must pass FRA drug and alcohol screening pre-employment.

Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently move freight trains.
• Build trains by coupling railcars.
• Deliver railcars to customers.
• Transport trains across long distances.
• Manage electronic documentation and inspections.
• Troubleshoot train issues and report incidents.
• Build and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment for safe operation.
• Operate remote-control locomotives.
• Couple railcars, align drawbars, apply hand brakes, and ride railcars.
• Communicate with crews, dispatchers, and yard controllers.
• Maintain accurate documentation and comply with FRA and company safety regulations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Freight Train Operation

Railcar Coupling

FRA Compliance

Remote-Control Locomotive Operation

Heavy Equipment Experience

Job description

• Safely and efficiently move freight trains
• Build trains by coupling railcars
• Deliver railcars to customers
• Transport trains across long distances
• Manage electronic documentation and inspections
• Troubleshoot train issues and report incidents
• Build and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment for safe operation
• Operate remote-control locomotives
• Couple railcars, align drawbars, apply hand brakes, and ride railcars
• Communicate with crews, dispatchers, and yard controllers
• Maintain accurate documentation and comply with FRA and company safety regulations
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Requirements

• Must be 18 years or older
• Must hold a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation
• Ability to report to work within 90 minutes
• Clean driving record in the past 36 months, without suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial resulting from a drug- or alcohol-related incident
• Must not have been involved in diversion or probation or pleaded guilty to a drug- or alcohol-related driving incident
• Must not have refused a drug or alcohol test related to operating a motor vehicle
• Must pass pre-employment Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) drug and alcohol screening
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Must be available for on-call work 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays, with as little as 90 minutes' notice
• Must join a union within 60 days after completing training
• Must pass all classroom, field, and on-the-job training requirements, including written exams and field evaluations
• Ability to lift and carry up to 85 lbs.
• Ability to hang from a railcar ladder with 3 points of contact for 1 minute 15 seconds per side
• Ability to walk several miles per shift on uneven terrain
• Must meet FRA medical requirements for visual acuity, color vision, and hearing
• Preferred: experience working outdoors in various weather conditions
• Preferred: experience with heavy equipment or physically demanding roles
• Preferred: experience working non-traditional, on-call, and/or 12+ hour shifts

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in safely operating and managing freight trains, including coupling railcars and performing inspections. Complies with FRA regulations and maintains accurate documentation while effectively communicating with team members.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Freight Train Operation
• Railcar Coupling
• FRA Compliance
• Remote-Control Locomotive Operation
• Heavy Equipment Experience

Hard Skills

• Train Inspection
• Electronic Documentation Management
• Troubleshooting Train Issues
• Lifting and Carrying Up to 85 lbs
• Walking on Uneven Terrain

Soft Skills

• Effective Communication
• Team Collaboration

Certifications & Qualifications

• Valid Driver's License
• FRA Drug and Alcohol Screening

Industry Keywords

• Freight Transportation
• Railroad Safety Regulations
• On-Call Work
• Union Membership
• Outdoor Work Experience