(The following story by Casey Santee appeared on the Idaho State Journal website on February 26.)
POCATELLO – Union Pacific is in the process of hiring to fill 20 new positions in the Gate City.
Most of the jobs are for conductors with a starting wage of about $40,000 per year.
“Pocatello is a major operating point and that’s why we’re recruiting (here),” said UP Director of Public Affairs John Bromley.
Five of the 20 jobs were filled in January, and the other 15 will be filled in April.
The expansion in Pocatello is part of UP’s plan to hire 3,000 employees systemwide.
“As the economy recovers and manufacturing increases, so does shipping, and that is creating a need for train service workers,” said UP Assistant Vice President of Human Resources Bill Behrendt. “These entry level positions provide both monetary and career growth opportunities which could lead to positions as train engineers and potentially management.”
According to UP’s Web site, within a few years, successful applicants could make as much as $70,000 per year.
Those hired for the positions will train locally for four months.
Currently, Union Pacific has about 450 employees in Pocatello.
The largest railroad in the United States, Union Pacific is based in Omaha, Neb., and provides service to 23 states. The company has 47,000 employees at locations across the country, operates more than 7,000 locomotives, 90,000 freight cars and is the nation’s largest transporter of chemicals and truck trailers.
To apply for a position with UP, visit www.up.com.
Bromley said the applications will first be screened, then interviews will be set up with the remaining applicants.