Rail Conductor

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR 

The Rail Conductor reports directly to the Manager of Rail Transportation and plays a vital role in the safe, efficient, and customer-focused operation of CapMetro commuter rail service. This position is responsible for supporting daily passenger train operations by ensuring train movements, onboard activities, and customer interactions are performed in accordance with CapMetro operating rules, policies, and applicable Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations. Rail Conductors serve as frontline safety and customer service professionals, requiring strong communication skills, situational awareness, and sound judgment in dynamic operating environments. Conductors work closely with train crews, dispatching personnel, and field supervision to support passenger, freight, and excursion services while delivering a high level of service to CapMetro customers. 

WHAT YOUY BRING

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Three (3) years of passenger or freight railroad operating experience.
• Ability to successfully complete and maintain Rail Conductor training and qualification, including certification under the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) and CapMetro operating rules.
• Ability to qualify on assigned territory, equipment, and operating rules within established timeframes.
• Ability to meet and maintain safety-sensitive position requirements, including:
• DOT/FRA medical qualification
• Vision and hearing standards (including color vision)
• Drug and alcohol testing requirements
   

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Subject to pre-employment background check and motor vehicle report review.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and endorsements as required per position.
• Successfully complete and maintain any required safety certification and testing on an annual basis.
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Knowledge and ability to understand, interpret, and comply with the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR), including rules governing train movements, signal indications, operating authority, radio communications, and on-track safety.
• Ability to remain calm, focused, and compliant with rules in time-sensitive, high-pressure environments.
• Ability to safely perform conductor duties in a dynamic, safety-sensitive rail operating environment, including onboard trains, station platforms, yards, sidings, and mainline track territory.
• Strong situational awareness and judgment to recognize hazards, abnormal conditions, and emergency situations, and to take appropriate safety-focused action in accordance with operating rules and procedures.
• Ability to use required communication devices and electronic reporting tools, including radios, headsets, and onboard systems.
• Ability to clearly and accurately communicate verbally and via radio, including receiving, repeating, and complying with train orders, dispatcher instructions, and signal indications using proper railroad terminology.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with locomotive engineers, dispatching personnel, field supervision, and other crew members to ensure safe and efficient train operations.
• Ability to perform ground-based duties, including switching, flagging, and protection of train movements and work zones, in accordance with GCOR and on-track safety requirements.
• Ability to provide professional customer service, assist passengers, make announcements as required, and respond calmly and appropriately to passenger needs during routine operations and service disruptions.
• Ability to respond to service delays, incidents, unscheduled stops, or emergencies by following established procedures, communicating clearly, and assisting passengers as required.
• Ability to accurately document and report operational events, incidents, delays, and rule-related issues in accordance with CapMetro reporting requirements.
   

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

Work is performed in a safety-sensitive rail operating environment and includes both indoor and outdoor activities in offices, station platforms, rail yards, sidings, mainline track territory, and along the railroad right-of-way. Incumbents are regularly exposed to moving rail equipment, noise, vibration, uneven surfaces, and varying environmental conditions, including heat, cold, rain, wind, and other inclement weather.

The position requires the ability to stand, walk, climb, sit, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach vertically and horizontally for extended periods throughout the workday while operating or working around rail equipment and infrastructure. Incumbents must be able to safely work on moving trains, ballast, station platforms, and other uneven surfaces, and safely operate a motor vehicle when required. The incumbent must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds, including operating manual track switches, handling equipment, tools, materials, emergency supplies, and assisting passengers when necessary. The position also requires the ability to work at a computer workstation for extended periods and regularly use radios, telephones, headsets, and other communication devices.

Incumbents must possess the visual and auditory abilities necessary to safely perform rail operations, including the ability to distinguish signal indications, hand signals, signage, colors, and other visual cues, as well as hear and respond to radio communications, alarms, warnings, and other audible signals in noisy environments.

This position may require varying shifts, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, rotating schedules, extended hours, overtime, and emergency response assignments to support operational and service requirements. The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities, frequent interruptions, and service disruptions is essential. Regular, reliable, and predictable attendance at the assigned work location is an essential function of this position.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law and safety and operational requirements.

WORK AUTHORIZATION  

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Mobility Status:

As an Onsite position, the incumbent’s primary workplace is a CapMetro facility or field location. Expected to work in the office or field location 4+ days a week. Mobility status is subject to change at any time based on business needs or organizational decisions.

COMMITMENT TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY    

CapMetro is an equal employment opportunity employer and committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. CapMetro makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organization needs at the time.  

SECURITY SENSITIVE POSITION

This position has been identified as a “Security Sensitive” position. CapMetro will conduct annual background checks on incumbents in this position. A position is “Security Sensitive” if the incumbent handles currency, has access to sensitive, computerized databases, has access to master keys, or works in an area of the CapMetro that has been designated as a security-sensitive area.  

SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION  

This position is identified as an FTA safety-sensitive position. An employee in this position is required to participate in the Employer’s testing program for prohibited substances. Participation in this program is a condition of employment with CapMetro. A safety-sensitive employee is randomly tested for prohibited drug use or alcohol misuse while the employee is performing safety-sensitive functions; just before the employee is to perform safety sensitive functions; or just after the employee has ceased performing such functions.  

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Note: The duties and primary responsibilities below are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this job and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties.  

Rail Transportation

• Perform duties associated with the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of commuter rail service in compliance with all applicable railroad operating rules, train orders, signal indications, radio communications, regulatory requirements, and CapMetro policies and procedures.]Promote and maintain a safe work environment for employees, passengers, and the public by performing switching, flagging, and other ground-based operational duties in accordance with established safety and operating standards.
• Provide professional customer service by assisting passengers, answering questions, conducting fare inspections, and responding appropriately to service disruptions and operational issues.
• Identify and report operational, equipment, safety, or service concerns; perform authorized troubleshooting and limited corrective actions when appropriate; and prepare accurate reports and notifications related to accidents, incidents, delays, unscheduled stops, and other operational events.

Rail Operations

• Perform duties supporting the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of commuter rail service in compliance with CapMetro operating rules, policies, FRA regulations, the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR), timetables, special instructions, train orders, signal indications, and radio communications.
• Support train operations by coordinating with locomotive engineers, dispatchers, and field personnel; performing switching, flagging, and other ground-based duties; monitoring operating conditions; and maintaining situational awareness to ensure safe train movements, roadway worker protection, and service reliability.
• Respond to service disruptions, delays, incidents, and emergency situations by following established procedures, communicating effectively with appropriate personnel, assisting passengers as needed, identifying and reporting hazards, troubleshooting minor operational or equipment issues, and performing authorized corrective actions when appropriate.
• Provide professional customer service; assist with passenger communications and fare inspections; prepare accurate reports and documentation related to operational events; participate in required safety activities; and maintain regular, reliable attendance consistent with the safety-sensitive nature of rail operations.
   

CapMetro SMS Support & Other Duties Assigned

• Support Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Safety Management Systems (SMS) process by ensuring staff follows safety and security policies, considers safety in every action, and ensures safety and security concerns are reported.  
• Perform other rail-related duties as assigned.