Switchman - Westlake, LA

Summary

Responsible for assembling trains and switching railroad cars in a yard. Throws switches and couples, or attaches to cable, to railcars being hauled by locomotive in industrial plants or ship ports.

• Typical duties will include but not be limited to the preparation and/or modification of the following:
  Works with Locomotive Engineer with adding/supplying fuel, water, oil and sand to locomotive.
• Uncouples and/or moves railcars as part of yard operations, including opening and closing doors or hatches on railcars and positioning railcars on track to load or unload.
• Operates railcar handbrakes and track switches; signals Locomotive Engineer to start or stop cars.
• Sees to safety inspections of locomotives and railcars; identifies mechanical issues and determines necessary repairs.
• Performs repairs or adjustments to equipment to maintain operation of locomotives and railcars and replaces knuckles in couplers as required.
• Opens and closes chute gates, or positions railcars on track to load or unload cars.
• Communicates effectively with the Locomotive Engineer using hand signals or two-way radio.

• TWIC in hand
• Requires a high degree of professional integrity, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Safety training/certification as required by customers to work in their facilities and as required by TGS at all TGS locations.
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to make quick and sound judgments and manual dexterity.
• Good hand-eye coordination and mechanical aptitude.
• Good hearing and vision
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations;
  Responds promptly to customer needs;
  Solicits customer feedback to improve service;
  Responds to requests for service and assistance;
  Meets commitments.
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.
• Background screening including previous employment, education, criminal history and driving record verification.

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.

The employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.