Student Conductor - Plaquemine, LA

Watco • Plaquemine, LA, US • 4w ago

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 or 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

The Student Conductor will work with managers, peer trainers and train crews to learn the safe switching of railcars using locomotive power, based on customer requests. Switch crews are responsible for performing jobs efficiently and following all company and customer safety rules and completing corresponding paperwork at the end of every shift. This Student Conductor 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.

Essential Duties and 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 to apply procedures using good judgment
Assist in inspection of locomotive(s) before running to verify specified fuel, sand, water, and all other requirements
Read and interpret switching orders from designated person
Observe and learn radio and hand signals in yard or in cab and operate locomotive in accordance with company and customer rules and regulations
Observe and learn arm or lantern signal and moves controls to move locomotive backwards or forwards to switch and couple cars; or receives starting signal and moves control, such as throttle and air brakes to operate locomotive
Clearly and effectively communicate with crews, dispatchers or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information
Assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations
Turn hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake as well as apply and release handbrakes
Observe track to detect potential obstructions
Assist with inspecting locomotive(s) after running to detect damaged or defective equipment
Assist with maintaining records, numbers, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched
Assist with coordinating activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, or other on-site location.
Raise coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars
Throw track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signals
Move cars, using lanterns, hand signals or radio
Connect air hoses to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force
Sit or rides in locomotive cab to observe signals from other crew members
Assist with making minor repairs to couplings, and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs
Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications

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

Ability to pass training and required Conductor Certification testing in a reasonable period of time, typically within one year
Valid driver's license
Willingness and ability to obtain locomotive engineer certification following conductor certification