Conductor - Decatur, IL

Watco Companies - Decatur, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Decatur, IL

Rail Transportation

About the position

The Student Conductor position is responsible for controlling and coordinating train movements while switching railcars in various locations such as railroad yards or industrial plants. The role emphasizes safety and efficiency in unloading and loading railcars to service customers. This manual labor position requires proficiency in specific skills and adherence to safety protocols during a training period.

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 mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment.
• Read switching orders from designated personnel.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of train crews.
• Receive oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer regarding car switching.
• Notify engineer of switching orders and specify which cars to move 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 concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
• Give instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars.
• Assist workers in throwing switches or performing other activities during switching operations.
• Turn hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake to apply and release handbrakes.
• Observe track to detect obstructions.
• Maintain records of number, origin, destination, and cargo of switched cars.
• 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 hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force.
• Set warning signals, such as flares, flags, or lanterns during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
• Sit or ride in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members.
• Make minor repairs to couplings and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs.
• Talk to Dispatcher via radio to give or receive switching information.

Requirements

• High school education or general education (GED) or 3 to 6 months job-related experience; or equivalent of education and experience.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.