Operator - Rail Support

Job Overview

This role involves operating, maintaining, and inspecting rail equipment to support safe and efficient rail operations. Responsibilities include overseeing track maintenance, operating signaling systems, coordinating train dispatches, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. The position requires communication with train crews and other personnel, performing routine maintenance and minor repairs, and assisting in emergency response.

Key Duties

• Weigh trucks on scales and input relevant data such as product details, pricing, and customer information into computer systems.
• Handle payments including cash and checks, and interact with company staff and external haulers.
• Generate documentation such as bills of sale, dray tickets, and bills of lading.
• Inspect railcar equipment before movement, instruct locomotive operators via radio during coupling/uncoupling, operate switches and remote controls, and perform minor repairs including replacing couplings, knuckles, or air brake hoses.
• Manage switching activities by operating hand controls, pneumatic valves, brakes, and understand safety signals and communication methods.
• Operate and maintain locomotives, railcars, and specialized rail equipment.
• Perform regular safety inspections and minor maintenance on rail infrastructure and equipment.
• Follow directions from supervisors, leads, and collaborate with the locomotive engineer and crew.
• May work in confined, high, or awkward spaces requiring physical flexibility.
• Physical demands include standing, walking, sitting for extended times, gripping, climbing, reaching, shoveling, squatting, crawling, pulling, pushing, bending, and lifting up to 45 pounds.
• Perform machine start-up and shutdown procedures, monitor material flow and load settings, adjusting to maintain production quality and safely load finished products into railcars.
• Adhere strictly to all safety regulations and company policies.

Essential Competencies

• Strong mechanical aptitude related to mobile rail equipment with the ability to identify and troubleshoot minor malfunctions.
• Effective problem-solving skills to analyze and resolve operational challenges efficiently.
• Proactive safety awareness to identify hazards and ensure a safe working environment.
• Teamwork and communication skills to collaborate with team members and other departments.
• Adaptability to changing work conditions, priorities, and unexpected situations while maintaining performance.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED is required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with office and clerical duties, including word processing and calculator use, is preferred.
• Knowledge of rail weight regulations, capacities, and limitations is advantageous.

Skills and Abilities

• Proficient operation and upkeep of rail locomotives, railcars, and specialized rail equipment.
• Strong mechanical and electrical skills related to rail machinery.
• Clear communication capabilities in English for reading, speaking, and understanding technical content.
• Ability to perform train switching, loading/unloading, and train assembly tasks safely.
• Experienced in operating hand switches, pneumatic valves, brakes, high-pressure water hoses, pry bars, and shovels.
• Competent in managing conveyor belts, crushers, motors, gearboxes, and screens for rail loading processes.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and schematics.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, and flexible schedules as required.
• Possibility to travel with the train along its route to ensure safe operations.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Equal Opportunity

The employer maintains equal employment opportunity practices.