Train Conductor

CPKC; Ville Platte (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

CPKC in Ville Platte, LA is hiring a Conductor to join a yard and train crew, supporting switching, moving rail cars and ensuring safety in a 24/7 operation. The position requires you to be physically capable and prepared for outdoor work in all weather, with unscheduled shifts and up to 12-hour days.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a HS diploma or GED, and hold a valid driver’s license. This foundational role offers career growth to roles like Yard Foreperson or Locomotive

Qualifications

• Must be physically capable of demanding tasks such as walking long distances and lifting up to 80 lbs.
• Willingness to work unscheduled shifts in a 24/7 environment.
• Able to work up to 12-hour shifts including days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must be 18+ years old with a high school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate under safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Assist in switching rail cars and forming trains within rail yards.
• Move rail cars between yards and assist in building trains as required.
• Maintain safety for yourself and crewmates and follow operating rules.

Skills

Physical fitness

Shift work

Outdoor work

Attention to detail

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Posting Start Date: 10/12/26

Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S. Canada and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here.

CPKC is hiring for February 2027.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The conductor position is a foundational role in the railway and operates within the framework of the union agreement. A conductor works as a member of a train crew that assists in switching rail cars, making or splitting up trains in rail yards, or moving rail cars between rail yards. This position requires you to be vigilant about the safety of yourself and those around you. You must be prepared for unscheduled shift work, being away from home for extended periods of time and working outdoors in all types of weather.

Joining CPKC as a conductor can lead to career growth as a Yard Foreperson, Locomotive Engineer or management.

Wondering if the conductor role is right for you? Complete this Realistic Job Preview to see if you would be a good fit for the Conductor lifestyle. Watch this video to hear an employee’s perspective on what it takes to be a CPKC Conductor.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to perform work that can be physically demanding such as walking up to 6 miles a day on uneven ground, climbing up and down and lifting and pulling heavy objects (up to 80 pounds on occasion)
• Willingness to work unscheduled shift work in a 24/7 operating environment
• Working up to 12 hour shifts which include days, evenings, overnight, weekends and holidays
• Ability to report to work within a two hour call window, after scheduled rest
• Excellent focus, attention to detail and ability to multitask
• Strong communication skills (provide clear and concise instructions/directions including over radio)
• Willingness to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions for long periods of time
• Must be able to pass the required physical job tasks for the job position, written examinations, read and understand safety instructions, read and understand operating rules and regulations and other written or printed material in English
• Must be at least 18 years old
• High school diploma or general equivalency
• Valid driver's license