Track Welder - External; Pool

Overview

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both:
1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and
2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Pay Rate

Step 76 ($42.72/hourly) - Step 99 ($55.84/hourly) (SEIU Pay Band-301)

* External candidates will start at Step 76

Reports To

Section Manager or designee

Note

This job announcement will be used to establish a pool of eligible candidates for vacancies that may occur within the next twelve (12) months.

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is seeking a highly skilled and safety-focused Track Welder to support the maintenance, renewal, and modernization of the District s rail infrastructure. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of BART s track system, which is fundamental to delivering safe and dependable service to the Bay Area.

Under general supervision, the Track Welder performs specialized welding and fabrication work on rail, track components, and related structures throughout the BART system. The incumbent supports critical maintenance and capital improvement programs, including rail replacement, defect remediation, and infrastructure reinvestment projects. Work is performed in active rail environments and requires strict adherence to safety protocols, technical standards, and operational procedures.

Current priorities for this assignment include supporting systemwide rail replacement and rehabilitation efforts, addressing rail defects through high-quality welds and repairs, and contributing to preventive maintenance strategies that reduce service disruptions. The Track Welder will work closely with Track Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations staff to ensure welding work meets District standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Responsibilities

• Performing thermite, electric arc, and other specialized welding processes on rail and track components.
• Supporting rail replacement, rail grinding preparation, and defect repair initiatives.
• Ensuring all welding work complies with BART standards, safety rules, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Inspecting welded joints and track components to verify quality, integrity, and service readiness.
• Operating welding equipment, tools, and vehicles safely in rail right-of-way environments.
• Responding to emergency track conditions and performing time-sensitive repairs to restore service safely.
• Collaborating with supervisors, inspectors, and other skilled trades to meet maintenance and construction schedules.

Qualifications

• Rail Welding Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in thermite welding, electric arc welding, and other rail welding techniques used in transit or heavy industrial environments.
• Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Strong understanding of rail safety practices, lockout/tagout procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations.
• Technical Precision & Quality Control: Proven ability to produce high-quality welds, inspect finished work, and identify defects or corrective actions.
• Operational Awareness: Experience working in active rail or right-of-way environments while coordinating effectively with operations and maintenance teams.
• Problem-Solving
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to assess track conditions, troubleshoot welding issues, and perform corrective repairs under time-sensitive conditions.
• Equipment & Tool Proficiency: Skilled in the safe operation, maintenance, and setup of welding equipment, tools, and support vehicles.
• Reliability & Teamwork: Demonstrated dependability, adaptability to shift work or emergency callouts, and the ability to work collaboratively in a safety-critical environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Possession of a high school diploma, GED or recognized equivalent.
• Experience: Two (2) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable experience in welding of track, rails and their appurtenances; or journey level general welding experience which includes experience in welding frogs, exothermic welding of rails.
• Other Requirements: Must possess and maintain a valid California Class A driver s license and have a satisfactory driving record. Must be able to obtain and maintain District certification for the operation of high-rail vehicles. Must have the physical ability to lift and carry various materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds for 100 yards or more. Must have physical mobility to walk, climb, stoop, bend, crawl, twist, work in confined spaces, work underground, and heights up to 60 ft.
  
  and walk on uneven surfaces. Must climb and work from ladders. Must be able to perform strenuous labor both indoors and outdoors in all types of…