CLEVELAND — Union Pacific Railroad is looking to hire approximately 170 new trainmen in the state of Iowa, according to UP’s website.
Application for the trainman positions can be made online through the UP’s Web site at http://www.up.com. For more information about the job opening or to apply for one of the positions, individuals should go to www.up.com, place their cursor on “General Public,” and then select “Employment Information” from the menu options.
The job openings are in various locations in the state and application deadlines for the positions are either September 30 or December 31, depending on the position.
Train Service positions require employees to work on an “on call” basis, and employees must be available to report to work 90 minutes after notification. You may be called to work on weekends and holidays, and the job may require you to travel and be away from home several days at a time. There is a considerable amount of variability in the work schedule of these positions; and your availability to work is critical to the success of the railroad and its customers.
A train service employee is responsible for the safe movement of freight trains and switching of cars in the yards. Specific functions will include frequently climbing ladders to board standing or moving cars, operating hand brakes, coupling air hoses between cars, operating track switches, inspecting cars, and using hand and lantern signals, radio communications, and remote control technology to control train movement. Chicago area train service personnel may be required to become suburban (passenger) ticket collectors, which entails the purchase of a uniform and the handling of cash. This is not a typical 40-hour-a-week opportunity; the position consists of variable and irregular work hours, with irregularly scheduled days off. Train service employees work weekends and holidays on an “on call” basis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Travel is required, and personnel must be available to report to work 90 minutes after notification.
Must be a minimum of 18 years of age. Individuals with felony and/or misdeameanor convictions may not be hired. Must not have any alcohol or drug-related convictions or suspensions due to drugs or alcohol within the past three years. Applicants must be able to read and comprehend regulations and instructions in English, as well as possess good oral communication skills. They should be experienced in working variable hours and in an outdoor environment. Candidates must be able to discriminate between colors, and must successfully pass a reading comprehension exam to qualify for an interview.