This occupation is part of the Transportation and Material Moving cluster
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About the Job
Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.
It is also Called
- Agent
- Brakeman
- Car Chaser
- Car Dispatcher
- Car Distributor
- Car Spotter
- Centralized Traffic Control Operator (CTC Operator)
- Conductor
- Dispatch Manager
- Dispatcher
What They Do
- Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
- Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
- Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
- Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.
- Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
- Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops.
- Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
- Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
- Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
- Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
Interests
People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: ERC.
This means people who work in this occupation generally have Enterprising interests, but also prefer Realistic and Conventional environments.
Work Values
People who work in this occupation generally prize Support, but also value Independence and Working Conditions in their jobs.
Things They Need to Know
- Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
- Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Things They Need to Be Able to Do
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Education Required
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Wages
In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $52,910.00 with most people making between $39,760.00 and $71,820.00
Outlook
During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 2,100 people in California. It is projected that there will be 2,000 employed in 2020.
This occupation will have about 0 openings due to growth and about 60 replacement openings for approximately 60 total annual openings.
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