53-4031.00Apprenticeship

Railroad Conductors & Yardmasters

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.

Career Cluster:Supply Chain & Transportation
Job Family:Transportation and Material Moving
Job Zone:Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Industry:Transportation and Warehousing
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Technology Tools

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word

Key Tasks

  • Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
  • Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
  • Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops.
  • 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.
  • Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
  • 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.
  • Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
  • Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.
  • Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.
  • Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
  • Supervise workers in the inspection and maintenance of mechanical equipment to ensure efficient and safe train operation.
  • Inspect each car periodically during runs.
  • Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
  • Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.
  • Supervise and coordinate crew activities to transport freight and passengers and to provide boarding, porter, maid, and meal services to passengers.
  • Verify accuracy of timekeeping instruments with engineers to ensure trains depart on time.
  • Document and prepare reports of accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays.
  • Record departure and arrival times, messages, tickets and revenue collected, and passenger accommodations and destinations.
  • Inspect freight cars for compliance with sealing procedures, and record car numbers and seal numbers.

Skills

Speaking
69%
Monitoring
69%
Coordination
69%
Critical Thinking
66%
Time Management
63%
Active Listening
63%
Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Operations Monitoring
60%
Operation and Control
56%
Complex Problem Solving
56%
Reading Comprehension
53%
Persuasion
50%
Systems Analysis
50%
Active Learning
50%
Management of Personnel Resources
50%
Writing
50%
Systems Evaluation
50%
Quality Control Analysis
50%
Social Perceptiveness
47%
Instructing
47%
Service Orientation
47%
Learning Strategies
44%
Negotiation
38%
Mathematics
31%
Troubleshooting
31%
Operations Analysis
22%
Management of Material Resources
22%
Management of Financial Resources
19%
Programming
13%
Science
13%
Technology Design
10%
Equipment Maintenance
3%
Repairing
0%
Installation
0%
Equipment Selection
0%

Knowledge

Public Safety and Security
75%
Transportation
74%
English Language
62%
Education and Training
53%
Law and Government
50%
Customer and Personal Service
49%
Mechanical
47%
Telecommunications
47%
Computers and Electronics
45%
Mathematics
42%
Administration and Management
41%
Chemistry
37%
Physics
36%
Geography
35%
Administrative
34%
Psychology
33%
Communications and Media
32%
Personnel and Human Resources
30%
Engineering and Technology
28%
Therapy and Counseling
27%
Production and Processing
25%
Sales and Marketing
23%
Sociology and Anthropology
22%
Medicine and Dentistry
21%
Biology
17%
Economics and Accounting
16%
Design
15%
History and Archeology
14%
Philosophy and Theology
14%
Building and Construction
12%
Food Production
11%
Foreign Language
8%
Fine Arts
7%

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Abilities

Oral Expression
75%
Problem Sensitivity
72%
Oral Comprehension
72%
Far Vision
66%
Near Vision
66%
Speech Clarity
66%
Speech Recognition
66%
Information Ordering
63%
Deductive Reasoning
60%
Inductive Reasoning
60%
Reaction Time
56%
Written Comprehension
56%
Perceptual Speed
53%
Auditory Attention
53%
Written Expression
53%
Visualization
53%
Category Flexibility
53%
Control Precision
53%
Selective Attention
53%
Depth Perception
50%
Flexibility of Closure
50%
Time Sharing
50%
Hearing Sensitivity
47%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
47%
Multilimb Coordination
47%
Rate Control
47%
Finger Dexterity
44%
Trunk Strength
44%
Gross Body Equilibrium
44%
Speed of Closure
44%
Manual Dexterity
44%
Visual Color Discrimination
44%
Static Strength
41%
Fluency of Ideas
41%
Response Orientation
41%
Originality
41%
Extent Flexibility
38%
Speed of Limb Movement
38%
Stamina
38%
Spatial Orientation
38%
Gross Body Coordination
38%
Mathematical Reasoning
35%
Number Facility
35%
Memorization
31%
Peripheral Vision
31%
Glare Sensitivity
31%
Dynamic Strength
25%
Sound Localization
22%
Night Vision
22%
Wrist-Finger Speed
22%
Explosive Strength
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%

Work Activities

Getting Information
84%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
80%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
75%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
74%
Performing General Physical Activities
73%
Documenting/Recording Information
71%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
68%
Handling and Moving Objects
66%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
65%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
63%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
63%
Controlling Machines and Processes
59%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
56%
Working with Computers
55%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
53%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
52%
Processing Information
49%
Training and Teaching Others
46%
Analyzing Data or Information
44%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
44%
Assisting and Caring for Others
41%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
41%
Coaching and Developing Others
40%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
40%
Performing Administrative Activities
39%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
39%
Scheduling Work and Activities
38%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
37%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
37%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
36%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
35%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
33%
Developing and Building Teams
31%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
29%
Thinking Creatively
29%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
24%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
22%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
19%
Staffing Organizational Units
19%
Selling or Influencing Others
13%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
13%

Work Context

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

98%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

96%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

93%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

92%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

91%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

88%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

87%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

84%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

83%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

83%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

83%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

83%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

79%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

78%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

77%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

75%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

74%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

73%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

71%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

70%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

69%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

68%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

67%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

63%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

60%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

59%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

58%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

57%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

56%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

54%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

54%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

53%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

52%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

51%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

51%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

50%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

47%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

45%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

45%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

44%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

41%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

40%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

39%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

38%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

36%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

32%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

30%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

27%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

27%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

25%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

25%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

19%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

15%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

13%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

8%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

4%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

4%

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

86%

Post-secondary certificate

8%

Associate's degree

6%

Interests

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

80

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

65

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

46

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

16

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

14

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

0

Work Styles

Dependability
88%
Cautiousness
87%
Attention to Detail
79%
Leadership Orientation
75%
Stress Tolerance
74%
Integrity
70%
Self-Control
64%
Cooperation
61%
Perseverance
59%
Adaptability
56%
Self-Confidence
54%
Social Orientation
44%
Achievement Orientation
42%
Initiative
35%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
30%
Optimism
26%
Sincerity
23%
Empathy
9%
Intellectual Curiosity
9%

Work Values

Support
78%
Independence
67%
Working Conditions
56%
Relationships
45%
Achievement
39%
Recognition
33%

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