Conductor - McPherson, KS

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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
Starting Hourly Pay Rate: $22.00

The conductor/switchman position will control and coordinate the train movements while switching railcars whether in the yard of a railroad, industrial plant, or similar location to facilitate the unloading and loading of railcars in a safe and efficient manner to service our customers. This position is a manual labor position which requires that the individual become proficient in the following skills, duties, and requirements within a prescribed training and introductory period.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Conductor must demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.

Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule.

Read, write, and communicate in English & understand basic math.

Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment.

Read switching orders from designated person.

Supervise and coordinate the activities of train crews.

Receive oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer indicating which cars are to be switched.

Notify engineer of switching orders and specify which cars are to be moved to specified locations of yard, using radio, verbal or hand signals.

Talk to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information.

Confere 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 to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations.

Turn hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake to apply and release handbrakes.

Observe track to detect obstructions.

Maintain records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched.

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 at front of and at rear of train 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.

Education
High School or GED equivalent

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