Train Conductor

Norfolk Southern

. Safely and efficiently move freight trains .

Posted 10/19/2026full-timeMobile • Alabama • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $240 per dayWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates the ability to safely operate and maintain freight trains while adhering to FRA regulations. Capable of performing physically demanding tasks and maintaining accurate electronic documentation.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Freight Train OperationFRA ComplianceRemote-Control Locomotive OperationElectronic Documentation MaintenanceHeavy Equipment Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Train CouplingRailcar InspectionTroubleshooting Train IssuesHand Brake ApplicationPhysical Endurance

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationTeam Collaboration

Certifications & Qualifications

Valid Driver's LicenseFRA Drug and Alcohol Screening

Industry Keywords

Railroad OperationsSafety RegulationsOn-Call AvailabilityUnion MembershipOutdoor Work Experience

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Safely and efficiently move freight trains
Build trains by coupling railcars and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment
Deliver railcars to customers and transport trains across long distances
Operate remote-control locomotives
Couple railcars, align drawbars, apply hand brakes, and ride railcars
Maintain electronic documentation and accurate records
Communicate with crews, dispatchers, and yard controllers
Troubleshoot train issues and report incidents
Comply with FRA and company safety regulations
Perform additional duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Must be 18 years or older
Must hold a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation
Ability to report to work within 90 minutes
Clean driving record in the past 36 months without suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial of a driver's license resulting from a drug- or alcohol-related incident
Must not have been involved in diversion or probation or pleaded guilty to a drug- or alcohol-related driving incident
Must not have refused a drug or alcohol test related to operating a motor vehicle
Must pass pre-employment Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) drug and alcohol screening
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Must be available to work on-call 24/7 with as little as 90 minutes’ notice
Must be available for irregular schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays
Must join a union within 60 days after completing training
Must pass all classroom, field, and on-the-job training requirements, including written exams and field evaluations
Ability to lift and carry up to 85 lbs.
Ability to hang from a railcar ladder with three points of contact for 1 minute 15 seconds per side
Ability to walk several miles per shift on uneven terrain
Must meet FRA medical requirements for visual acuity, color vision, and hearing
Experience working outdoors in various weather conditions (preferred)
Experience with heavy equipment or physically demanding roles (preferred)
Experience working non-traditional, on-call, and/or 12+ hour shifts (preferred)

Benefits

Comp & perks

$5,000 retention bonus paid in installments: $1,000 upon completion of on-the-job training, $1,500 six months after training, and $2,500 twelve months after training
Minimum $240 per shift during on-the-job training
Overtime at $30/hour during training
Hotel accommodations during the first five weeks of training
Weekly meal stipends during the first five weeks of training
Travel reimbursement from the hire location to the training center
Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents beginning the second calendar month of employment
Dental insurance after one year
Life insurance eligibility after one year
401(k) eligibility after one year
Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes
Vacation eligibility: 2 weeks after 2 or more years, 3 weeks after 6 or more years, 4 weeks after 15 or more years, and 5 weeks after 23 years