Assistant Conductor

* Simple Staffing is hiring for this position on behalf of Metra *

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable and efficient service.

A train service employee may work in three major areas: passenger service, flagging assignments or yard assignments. An Assistant Conductor on the extra board, you will work in all these areas.

• Passenger Service: The Assistant Conductor works in a unique environment that requires self-discipline and the ability to work without direct supervision. The ability to work well under stress is also important in handling the volume of passengers and cash fares collected during rush hours and special events. Your duties in train service also include train setup and inspection, fare collection, accurate handling of daily remittance, door operation and good customer service.
• Flagging: The primary responsibility of the flagman is to ensure that workers and equipment are not allowed to interfere in any manner with normal train operations except when specific provisions have been made.
• Yard Operations: The yard is a system of tracks within defined limits provided for the making up of trains, storing of cars and other purposes. The assistant conductor performs switching operations for on-time performance, car routing, delivery and pickup.
  
  

Job Requirements:

• High school degree or GED
• Basic keyboarding skills. The ability to submit work reports via an Ipad.
• Ability to read and understand all instructions including operating and safety rules, bulletins, special instructions, and federal regulatory documents
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills to deliver information to coworker(s) and supervisor(s)
• Candidates for this position must pass a pre-employment assessment in English prior to scheduling an interview. The number of candidates who pass the test and will be granted an interview is based upon hiring needs. If you have taken this test and failed within the last six months, you will not be eligible to apply for this position.
  
  

Preferred

• Experience working with, on, and around moving heavy equipment 
• Experience working outdoors in variable weather conditions (consider professional, personal, and volunteer experience)
• Completed a railroad conductor training course or program
• 60 College Credit Hours or Two Years Military Experience

Physical Requirements

• Able to push, pull, lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 lbs
• Must have normal color vision, be able to detect and interpret different visual color signals and displays, and determine the speed of moving objects at near or far distances
• Have the capacity to walk, climb, and maintain balance on railcars, locomotives, stairs, ladders, uneven terrain, moving equipment, rails and ballast in a safe manner (occasionally work at heights of 12 feet or more)
• Able to perform physical work and occasionally bend, stoop, and kneel
• Have normal depth perception to judge the speed and distance of locomotives being moved in the service area

Work Conditions

• Prepared to work within the six-county region
• 18 years of age or older
• Agree to wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety boots, hard hats, and hearing protection where the company requires
• Typically required to report to your assigned work location within a 2-hour timeframe
• Willingness to practice safe work habits
  
  The following are descriptions of the various job functions that a train service employee must be able to perform.
• Train Operation and Movement: Assure safe, on time performance, take appropriate action when conditions threaten safety of crew or passengers. Must be able to communicate information using radios, telephones or the use of hand signals. Must receive, relay and act upon directives given to you by Transportation Officials, Train Dispatchers and customer service personnel and communicate with police and emergency response personnel.
• Switching Operations: Must be able to get on and off stationary and moving equipment, couple and uncouple air hoses, must ride on moving equipment by holding on to grab irons and standing on ladder steps in all types of weather, must be able to adjust and align knuckles for coupling. Must be able to read and align switches for train movement, must understand track numbers and locations, operate various track switches and derails to change routing of trains or cars and apply and release hand brakes.
• Conduct Train Inspections: Must inspect the condition of the train and equipment by doing radio tests, brake tests, door operation. Must make sure equipment has necessary inventory (flagging kit, fire extinguisher, first aid kits.). Must also inspect exterior of the train by walking the entire length of the train consist in inclement weather.
• Communicate and Report Information: Must be able to communicate information using radios, telephone or the use of hand signals. Must receive, relay and act upon directives given to you by Transportation Officials, Train Dispatchers and Customer Service personnel. Communicate with police and emergency response personnel.
• Cash Fare Collection: Responsible for collection and remittance of monies collected from passengers.