Railway Conductor

Position Description

Tacoma Rail has provided rail transportation as a public entity since 1914. With 16 locomotives, more than 100 employees and about 43 miles of track in two operating divisions within Pierce County, Tacoma Rail provides key freight connections for customers in the greater Tacoma Washington area, handling in excess of 100,000 freight shipments per year .

Tacoma Rail is establishing a hiring roster for Railway Conductors to coordinate the daily activities of train crews; supervise the operation and administration of trains and receive information and instructions for performing work assignments. Conductors must ensure that trains are operated safely and efficiently and that all rules are observed; acting responsibly to prevent accidents/incidents or rules violations.

Railroading requires a willingness to spend significant time outdoors in often challenging conditions; candidates should be flexible, willing to learn, and be able to perform multiple tasks while remaining focused on safety and efficiency.

One of Tacoma Rail's keys to success is providing a safe work environment for our employees. We believe that our employees are our most valuable asset and that every accident or injury is preventable. We promote a culture that makes safety our highest priority.

Responsibilities Include:

• Supervise and participate in assembling/spotting unit trains, coupling and uncoupling railcars, and general yard switching and classification.
• Operate railroad switches and use radio communication and standard hand and lantern signals to direct Locomotive Engineer.
• Perform industrial switching and keep records of cars switched; keep time reports for self and other crew members.
• Inspect railcars and report any defects; make timely reports of any accidents or incidents.

This position is subject to federally regulated safety-sensitive requirements and all applicants shall be required to meet those standards.

Rate of pay is contingent upon qualifications and experience. Terms of the collective bargaining unit shall apply.

Outdoor Conditions: This position is subject to working in severe weather conditions, around noise, fumes and dust. Use of personal protective equipment is required.

Working Conditions: Lifting up to 75 pounds, climbing, squatting, pushing, pulling and walking on uneven surfaces, bending, stooping, and twisting motions. Incumbents in this position will be responsible for safely handling hazardous material shipments in railcars.

Shifts/hours: This is a full-time position; subject to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Must be able to report to work 2 hours after notification and be able to work up to 12 hours per shift.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification:

• One year of experience as a railway switch operator with a railroad operating under F.R.A. regulations
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC):
  Under Federal authority Tacoma Rail requires all employees to obtain and maintain a TWIC card which requires a Federal background check.
  • TWIC is a condition of employment. Application for TWIC must be made within 14 days of your date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Conductor certification
• Locomotive Engineer certification

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Washington Driver's License at the time of appointment and maintenance thereafter.
• Must complete a Department of Homeland Security background check; which must result in the issuance of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Outdoor environment; subject to adverse weather conditions; subject to noise, fumes and dust.
• Position requires lifting, climbing, pushing, pulling and walking on uneven, loose surfaces.
• Incumbents in this position may be subject to hazardous substances spilling or leaking from railcars

Knowledge & Skills

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Compliance with applicable railroad operating rules and practices (GCOR).
• Safe and efficient switching operations.
• Records management and operational planning.
• Health and safety regulations and precautions.
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, CFR Title 49 policies and procedures.

SKILLS:

• Coordinate and supervise the work of a railway switching crew.
• Mechanically couple/uncouple railcars.
• Operate railroad switches and derails.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions/instructions and repeat back.
• Interpret and apply codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone.
• Read and understand bulletins, work orders, switch lists.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Kye Merritt, if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn !

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $ 33.80 - $45.07

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Application Process

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process. Applicants who have the strongest backgrounds related to the responsibilities of this position may be invited to participate in the interview process, which may include a work problem. Appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 5/11/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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