Track Laborer

About the Role

Performs physical labor using hand tools and equipment to construct, alter, repair, maintain, and demolish railroad tracks, associated structures, and components. Works as a member of a local Line Maintenance crew.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry and place track materials using hand tools such as tie tongs, rail tongs, rail forks, lining bars, shovels, and jacks.
• Attach the rail to ties using spike mauls or spike drivers.
• Remove spikes with claw bars, spike lifters, and spike pullers.
• Lift, position, handle, remove and install railroad crossties.
• Connect and disconnect rail using the track, impact, power wrenches, or welding materials.
• Move, clean, and tamp ballast with shovels, tamping picks, clay picks, lining bars, and ballast forks.
• Raise tracks, turnouts, crossings, and rails with track or power jacks.
• Cut associated materials with oxygen-acetylene torches, rail saws, cut-off saws, and cold chisels.
• Drill holes with gasoline, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric drill motors.
• Work alongside heavy equipment by connecting, disconnecting, and controlling material that is being moved and by directing such movement.
• Participate in safety meetings.
• Wear all appropriate personal protective equipment.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Must have either a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License.
• Capable of lifting and carrying a minimum of 75 pounds.
• Willing and able to travel to various job sites, including those that require overnight stays and those that require short notice mobilization.
• Capable of working in inclement weather and/or conditions.
• Capable of covering distances afoot of one quarter (1/4) to two (2) miles per day, on railroad right of way, negotiating steep grades and rough terrain, without assistance.
• Capable of working unsupervised at times.

Skills and Abilities

• Interact effectively as a crew member.
• Understand and follow verbal and visual communications.
• Understand and respond to audible and visual signals and warnings.
• Quickly learn and perform job duties.
• Recognize, avoid, and report potential hazards.

Pay Rates

• 1st year rate: $30.98 - $31.44 per hour (90% of full rate)
• 2nd year rate: $32.70 - $33.18 per hour (95% of full rate)
• 3rd year rate: $34.42 - $34.93 per hour (100% of full rate)