Locomotive Engineer at ASARCO LLC

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Locomotive Engineer in details. A complete job description concludes Freight Engineer key duties/responsibilities, Locomotive Engineer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

Locomotive engineer duties:

• Ensure compliance with all train orders, signals, and railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
• Job briefing
• Air Brakes
• Train Handling
• Applicable Operating Rules
• Hazmat Transportation and Emergency Response
• Proper attire
• Mounting and dismounting equipment
• Crossing tracks and yards
• Operating switches
• Track authority
• Yard limits
• Signal compliance
• Fixed signals, hand signals, radio transmitted signals
• Pre-trip locomotive inspections
• Troubleshooting
• Basic air brake operations
• Proper throttle modulation
• Proper brake application
• Use of automatic train brake
• Use of dynamic brake
• Use of independent brake
• Proper starting and stopping procedures
• Knowledge of physical characteristics
• Hours of Service Act
• Blue Flag Rules
• Power Brake Rule
• Inspect all locomotives prior to departures
• Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone
• Read and understand bulletins, work orders, and switch lists
• Maintain awareness of surrounding area and suspicious activity to ensure rail safety
• Comprehend color and/or hand signals and systems

List of Freight Locomotive Engineer qualifications

• High School diploma/GED
• 18 years of age or older
• Valid Driver's License
• 2 years verifiable work experience and/or college
• Outside work experience
• Experience working on an on-call basis
• Experience working varying shift schedules
• Medium to Heavy Work, lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 83 pounds on a rare basis
• Stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb
• Ride on the outside of rail equipment for long periods of time
• Walk long distances over uneven terrain
• Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity/tracking/inspection
• Must meet color vision requirements as described in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

The CBRY shall provide for the continuing education of certified Engineers to ensure that each Engineer maintains the necessary knowledge concerning railroad safety and operating rules and compliance with all applicable Federal regulations.

Re-certification for all certified Engineers will occur on an interval of not greater than 36 months and incorporate formal training and testing. The railroad will keep appropriate records for each Engineers formal training and testing.

Formal training sessions, including periodic refresher training for loss of knowledge and changed circumstances, will be required of all certified Engineer. Familiarization training will be required when a Engineer has been absent from the territory for a period of 24 months or more.

Persons shall be considered to have maintained physical characteristics familiarity by:

• traversing a territory at least once in the preceding 24 months for railroads operating only under conditions that do not include signalized methods of operation.
• traversing a territory at least once in the preceding 12 months for railroads operating under conditions that include signalized methods of operation.

Aforementioned training sessions may include documented company safety meetings and periodic rules training. Training environments may include classroom training, computer based training, film or multi-media presentations, and use of on-job-training.

The minimum training duration requirements are:

• Railroads operating only under conditions requiring stopping within half the range of vision – 8 hours
• Railroads operating under conditions requiring stopping within half the range of vision and one or more additional methods of operation – 16 hours

The 36 month certification period will include training on the following mandatory topics:

• Safety Rules
• Operating Rules
• Timetable Instructions (if applicable)
• Applicable Federal Regulations
• Physical Characteristics (Territory Specific)
• Use of Applicable Job Aids
• Hazardous Materials (when applicable)
• Train Handling

Subject matter shall emphasize new rules, new regulations, and those rules that when violated, have caused or are likely to cause the most accidents or incidents.

Certification will require a period of on-the-job training and territorial familiarization based on the evaluation of a qualified instructor. Prior experience and unique characteristics of the territory must be considered by the Program Administrator or designated supervisor prior to certification.

Training and testing described in this section may be provided by one of the certified DSLE Trainmasters.

CBRY is located 64 miles southeast of Phoenix and 70 miles northeast of Tucson.

A core value of ASARCO LLC is “Safety First.” The Company is committed to help employees continuously improve their efforts to work in the most safe, inclusive, socially and environmentally responsible manner practicable. Employee safety and health, both on and off the job, are critically important to the Company. Therefore, ASARCO LLC requires employees to have and effectively demonstrate good working knowledge of modern safety systems. Each employee will take prime responsibility for ensuring that s/he works within all required safety procedures and processes.

ASARCO LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful criminal background check and pre-employment physical including a drug screen (hair analysis).

ASARCO LLC offers an excellent low-cost benefits package for medical/prescription/ dental/vision, disability coverage, life insurance and other optional coverage, and 401(k) plan with company match.