Key skills
BICommunicationProblem Solving
About this role
Please read entire posting before applying to this position.
A Freight Conductor's primary responsibility is to safely coordinate train crews on a freight train, place rail cars to facilitate loading and unloading, and makeup/breakdown trains in a rail yard, customer facility or similar locations. To know more of what a day-in-the-life looks like for a conductor, please click to see a video here.
New hire conductors will be eligible to receive retention bonuses upon completion of their first and second year of service from date of promotion/qualification. The minimum amount to expect is $3000 after 1 year, and $2000 after year 2, but may be greater based on work location and is subject to the terms of the applicable direct hire agreement.
Note: You must pass a drug test (hair follicle and urine), medical exam, and background check to be hired into this role.
Must live within or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of posted location. Relocation assistance is not offered for this position.
Depending in the business need, you may be placed in a pipeline during the hiring process. If you are selected for the position, more information about the pipeline possibility will be discussed.
Primary Activities and Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with all railroad and safety rules, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, railroad signals, and train orders
- Be able to safely perform all job responsibilities
- Inspect all equipment on cars prior to departures
- Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone
- Read and understand bulletins, work orders, and switch lists
- Assist with the coupling and uncoupling of cars, operate switches, and make minor repairs to railcars, including replacing heavy couplings or air brake hoses
- Work with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of cars; delivers excellent customer service by identifying customer needs and meeting or exceeding expectations
- Maintain awareness of surrounding area and suspicious activity to ensure rail safety
- Operate locomotive equipment using remote control device
- Comprehend color and/or hand signals and systems
- Review instructions from yardmasters, dispatchers, and other transportation employees, and discuss with locomotive engineer
- Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by manager
- Projected first year earnings: $91,000
- Training rate while in Atlanta: $2,457.56 bi-weekly
- On-the-job (OJT) training Rate: $2,949.06 bi-weekly
- After OJT, guaranteed extra-board pay of $3,090.00 bi-weekly
- The average earnings for new hire conductors in 2025 was $91,000 but could potentially be more with overtime opportunities.
New Hire Bonus:
- 1st year - $3,000
- 2nd year - $2,000
Training
You are expected to attend four weeks of paid training at the Atlanta Training Center (ATC) in Atlanta, GA. Training includes a combination of classroom and computer-based learning, hands-on simulations, and physical competencies. New hires must maintain an 85% passing rate on quizzes and tests to remain in training. Failure to maintain the 85% average will result in new hires being released from the program and their offer will be rescinded. CSX will provide a hotel room for the entire five weeks and lunch is provided on class days. New hires will receive $20 per day meal allowance starting day one of training. Roundtrip mileage will be reimbursed at the IRS rate between the hiring location and Atlanta, as well as mileage between the training center and hotel. On-the-job training begins immediately following the successful completion of training at the ATC.
Minimum Qualifications
- 18 years of age or older
- One year of related experience
- High School Diploma/GED
- Ability to read and comprehend all instructions including operating rules, bulletins, regulatory documents and other written communications
- Proficient verbal and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- One or more years of outside work experience, e.g. construction, heavy equipment operations, farming, etc. (can be professional, personal, or volunteer experience)
- Experience working in a safety sensitive environment
- Valid Driver's License
Job Requirements
- Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries
- Must wear CSX approved protective equipment such as high-visibility vest, safety boots, hard hat, and hearing protection
- Work hours may include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shift work
- Work hours are based on seniority, new hires primarily work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays
- Must be able to safely report to work within two hours of being notified to report
- May be required to travel and be away from home terminal for 24 hours or longer
- Work outdoors in varying weather conditions
- Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations
- Federal regulations require random testing for drugs and/or alcohol
- Must pass all required assessments
- Strict disciplinary policy regarding inability to report to work within proper time limit
- Advance to engineer position when required, based on seniority
- This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and membership is required
- Cover outlying locations based on seniority
- Information about benefits can be found here
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to mount and dismount moving equipment
- Stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb
- Work in cramped, confined, enclosed, or awkward places
- Ride on the outside of rail equipment for extended periods of time
- Walk long distances over uneven terrain for extended periods of time during shifts
- Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity/tracking/inspection
- Must meet color vision and hearing requirements as described in FRA Regulations
- Frequent lifting up to 80 pounds
Basic Competencies
- Verbal comprehension (Understand oral and written communications)
- Communication skills (provide clear instructions/directions)
- Reasoning skills (problem solving and troubleshooting skills)
Closing Statement
At CSX, two of our six Guiding Principles are Valuing and Developing Employees as well as Operating Safely. We are committed to offering our team members the most competitive compensation and benefits package available, unlimited opportunities for development and growth throughout an exciting and rewarding career, and the safest work environment possible. CSX is an Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Click here to view the EEO is Law poster. Click here to view the OFCCP pay transparency provision information. CSX Transportation and its subsidiaries are not seeking outside assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms for employment or contractor opportunities. Any resumes submitted by an outside vendor to any employee at CSX via e-mail, Internet, or directly to hiring managers without a valid written search agreement in place with the Talent Acquisition / HR department will be deemed the sole property of CSX. No placement fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired as a result of the referral, or through other means.