Job description template
Railroad Conductor Job Description Template
A copy-ready railroad conductor job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.
Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows railroad conductors earn a median of $78,000 ($37.50/hour); the middle 50% earn $65,610–$83,820.
Job title
Railroad Conductor
Job summary
[Company name] is seeking a dependable railroad conductor to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will review train paperwork and consist, inspect cars and hazardous materials documentation and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.
Responsibilities
- Review train paperwork and consist
- Inspect cars and hazardous materials documentation
- Throw switches and couple and uncouple cars
- Communicate with dispatchers and yard crews
- Monitor signals and authorities with the engineer
- Perform switching moves in yards and industries
- Report delays, defects and incidents
- Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations
Required qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Current license or certification as required by [state]
- Working knowledge of operating rules and switching and coupling
- Leadership and communication
- [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]
Preferred qualifications
- FRA conductor certification
- Operating rules qualification
- Hazardous materials training
- Experience with radios
Skills
- Hand and radio signals
- Hazmat documentation
- Car inspection
- Track authorities
- Situational awareness
- Reliability
Work environment and schedule
Conductors work outdoors in rail yards and along tracks in all weather, walking on ballast and climbing on equipment, as well as in locomotive cabs. Freight conductors are often on call around the clock, with nights and weekends. Yard jobs may have set shifts.
Pay and benefits
$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]
Equal opportunity
[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
Tips for a railroad conductor job posting that attracts applicants
- Use the title candidates search for. “Railroad Conductor” is the clearest; alternates include Train Conductor, Freight Conductor, Yard Conductor.
- Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
- Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a railroad conductor so applicants self-select accurately.
- Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Railroad Conductor training: widens your applicant pool.
Next steps
Screen and interview with our Railroad Conductor hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.