Train Conductor

Train Conductor

Enjoying physical labour, teamwork and working outdoors as well as being safety-minded are vital to a career in rail operations at CN. With a vibrant, 24/7 schedule, no two days will ever be alike. You can expect fresh challenges, a safety-focused work environment, paid training and supportive colleagues who share your passion for motion. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us! 

Conductors work as members of two or three person train crews and perform duties associated with the movement of trains, rail cars, and locomotives in rail yards and on the road.  They coordinate the assembly of trains and execute any ground work outside the locomotive cab while in the yard or en-route (ex: operating track switches, picking up rail cars, making emergency repairs, etc.).

 Responsibilities

The statements in this section are essential job functions that an employee must be able to perform with or without accommodations in order to achieve the objectives of the Conductor job.

Ensuring compliance with all train orders, signals, railroad rules and regulations related to safety and operationsProviding and receiving various forms of oral and printed instructions concerning the movement and placement of rail carsAssembling/dismantling trains in the rail yard, and picking up/setting off rail cars en-routeObserving, interpreting, and relaying signals to ensure safe train and locomotive movementOperating track switches to change locomotive and rail car routesInspecting the condition of a train and equipmentMaking effective decisions when in unfamiliar locations or emergency situationsCommunicating effectively with the Rail Traffic Control centre, other train crews and other departments on a regular basis via handheld radio

Training

Successful applicants will participate in an intensive paid training program that includes 11 weeks of training (7 weeks classroom at the CN Campus in Winnipeg, MB and 4 weeks field training). CN now offers an enhanced and extremely competitive training wage. Expenses related to transportation, accommodation and meals while in Winnipeg are covered by the company.

After these initial 11 weeks, candidates will complete a minimum of 45 trips as an extra person on a crew to enhance their knowledge and skills. Successful completion of the entire training program is mandatory in order to work as a Conductor, and includes written exams and field training (including physical requirements).

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements 

Working a flexible schedule with regular and predictable attendance, in line with the 24/7 railroading environment (includes night, weekend, holiday work hours, some overtime, and being away from home for extended periods of time)Pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying up to 90 poundsWorking outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditionsOperating various devices on rail cars and locomotives, such as uncoupling levers and handbrakesClimbing on and off ladders of moving rail carsGrasping and holding objects while riding the side of a trainWalking for frequent extended periodsBending, stooping, squatting, and kneeling frequentlyMeeting medical fitness requirements for the position, including those established by the Railway Association of Canada, such as the ability to recognize and distinguish between the colors of signals

Other Requirements 

Writing and passing safety and rules exams. (Note: As per collective agreement, subsequent mandatory Locomotive Engineer qualification to retain seniority/employment.)High school diploma or equivalentObtaining and maintaining Conductors Rule CardPossessing and maintaining a passport allowing entry/re-entry to the Canada and the United States (in certain specific locations)Proficiency in both oral and written communications 

Assets

Completion of college or vocational/technical school and/or Freight Conductor experienceRelevant work experience in similar working conditions or regulatory/safety environmentPossessing and maintaining a valid driver’s license

Candidate Pool

·       When you apply to this job requisition, you are not applying to one specific job, but rather enlisting in CN's recruitment process to secure your place on our short-list for upcoming Train Conductor positions.

·       The intent of this recruitment process is to establish a pool of qualified candidates that are ready to attend the training program at CN Campus when positions become available.

·       As Train Conductor positions become available, applicants that have met the qualifications and completed the entire recruitment process will be contacted with an official offer of employment for the location they applied to. 

·       If you are successful in joining the pool of qualified candidates, the result of your interview, background check and medical assessment will remain valid for at least 6 months.

About CN

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.