Winchman - Houston, TX

Watco Transloading, LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Watco Transloading, LLC in Houston, TX is seeking a Winchman to operate shore cranes and ship's gear, loading and unloading cargo with a focus on safety and efficiency. The position requires pre-operation inspections, attention to load weights, and coordination with ground crews.

The role supports 12-hour day/night shifts at 14035 Industrial Rd., Houston, TX 77015, with emphasis on accuracy, communication, and adherence to safety standards in a busy logistics environment.

Qualifications

• Pass or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position and location.
• Knowledge of cargo types (containers, break bulk, project, wind blades) and safe handling practices.
• Comfortable working at heights and operating winch ship crane safely.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes winch ship crane to load and unload containers, steel commodities, and project cargo.
• Loads and unloads cargo types including 20’, 40’, and 45’ containers; maintains safe load placement.
• Starts/stops winch crane engine; discharges and loads hatch covers and out-of gauge cargo.
• Maintains clear communication with ground crew and gang foreman; adheres to safety regulations.
• Inspects crane and cables for issues and reports maintenance needs promptly.

Job description

Career Opportunities: Winchman - Houston, TX (34040)

Requisition ID34040-Posted10/20/2026-Transload 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 and benefits
• Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
• Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco's Safe Performance Center
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities

Job Summary

Starting pay: $29.00 per hour
Schedule: 12 hour shifts, day and night schedule
Location: 14035 Industrial Rd., Houston, TX 77015

The Winchman safely loads and unloads cargo onto and from vessels and trucks by operating various types of cranes, including shore cranes and ship's gear. Key responsibilities include performing pre-operation inspections of the crane and cables, monitoring load weights, and directing ground crews to ensure safe load placement. This role requires excellent communication skills, precise hand-eye coordination, strong attention to detail, adherence to safety regulations, and the ability to work in various weather conditions. This job description is general and illustrative of the type of duties required for this position. This description is not all inclusive, and is not meant to be a detailed description of each duty performed by the incumbent of the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilizes winch ship crane to load and unload containers, steel commodities, project cargo
• The majority of containers that are loaded and unloaded are 20’, 40’ and 45’
• Maximum cab height is 144’ in the air
• Starts and stops winch ship crane engine
• Discharges and loads hatch covers
• Discharges and loads out of gauge cargo
• Discharges and loads break bulk cargo under the hook
• Ascends and descends steps to reach cab
• Sits in cab chair up to 7 hours per shift
• Ability to look down while operating winch ship crane
• Manipulates right and left-handed controls, joy stick, etc. to operate winch ship crane
• Communicates with Gang Foreman with hand held radio
• Visually inspects winch ship crane for maintenance issues or defective and notifies Gang Foreman and Port Maintenance of issues
• Must have knowledge of cargo types (containers, break bulk, pipe, project, wind blades) and safe handling practices
• Must be comfortable working at heights
• Able to operate winch ship crane in a safe manner

Qualifications

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