Ballast Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At Alstom, we understand transport networks and what moves people. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, we offer our diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. Every day, 80,000 colleagues lead the way to greener and smarter mobility worldwide, connecting cities as we reduce carbon and replace cars.

In your role as a Maintenance of Way Technician/Laborer, you will:

Repair and rebuild railroad track. Physical duties will require frequent walking over extended areas with uneven footing; flexibility sufficient for track maintenance tasks such as flexing to pick up tie plates; balance sufficient to walk on ballast; standing for more than half of each work day with periodic breaks; lift/carry and push/pull equipment and other objects weighing 25 lbs. (frequently), 50 lbs. (occasionally), and 75 lbs. (infrequently); occasional climbing on ladders; bending, stooping, and kneeling; good eye-hand coordination; and bilateral dexterity.

Responsibilities

• A track laborer's job consists of repairing and rebuilding railroad track, using hand tools to do so. Specific duties will include, but are not limited to, removing and replacing ties, pulling and driving spikes, shoveling rock ballast, loading and unloading equipment and material, repair and replace rail and remove and apply rail anchors and various other tasks, as assigned.
• PERFORM TRACK MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND INSTALLATION. Drive spikes into ties with a spike maul; pull spikes with claw bar; install and remove rail anchors; slide, place, and align tie plates under rails; cut in new rails; plug old spike holes; with assistance, lift rails using manual track jack; sweep off ballast /rock from track and switches.
• HANDLE AND MOVE TRACK MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT. With assistance, load/unload equipment weighing 85- to 100 lbs. (air hammer, rail drill) from back of cart or truck and carry to work site; without assistance, load/unload equipment weighing 50 to 75 lbs. (track jack, rail saw, rail drill); with assistance, remove and install rail using rail tongs, with assistance, remove ties and slide new ties into place using two-man tie tongs; with assistance, move debris away from work site (spike cans, anchors).
• MAINTAIN TRACKBED. Remove and replace ballast; tamp ballast; unload or assist in unloading ballast from ballast cars.
• OBSERVE THE CONDITION OF TRACK, TRACKBED, AND TRACK RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR PROBLEMS OR DEFECTS. Make quick visual inspections for broken rails, defective switches and signals, deteriorating trackbed, track obstructions and weather related problems; check switch points; observe right-of-way and passing trains for shifted loads and spillage.
• WORK WITH EQUIPMENT. Safely and effectively operate the following: a hydraulic hammer to drive spikes; air or gas powered wrenches to loosen or tighten track bolts; hydraulic rail drill to drill holes in rail; portable abrasive rail saw to cut rails, and hydraulic spike pullers to remove spikes.
• PRACTICE SAFE WORK HABITS. Understand and follow company and industry safety rules, practices, and procedures, wear prescribed safety apparel; take appropriate action when conditions threaten safety of self or coworkers; ensure equipment and work area are in safe operating condition before starting work; monitor for emergency situations by identifying visual signals and warning sounds.

Qualifications

Required

• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Ability to perform heavy physical labor.
• Must be capable of performing physically strenuous work on a continuous basis.
• Must be able to read and comprehend regulations and instructions as well as possess good verbal communication skills.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, supervisors and/or customers and effectively handle conflict situations.
• Ability to speak English in a clear, concise manner in order to communicate with coworker(s) and supervisor(s).
• Authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL).

Preferred

• Experience operating construction or farm equipment.
• Welding certificate.
• 1 year(s) Railroad Maintenance of Way work experience.
• Welding experience.
• Qualified in Roadway Worker Protection.
• Heavy equipment operator experience.

Work Conditions

• Must wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety boots, hard hats, and hearing protection where the company requires.
• Outside work is required regardless of weather conditions.
• Work takes place in many rural remote geographic areas.
• On the road or traveling, as required.
• Work may be seasonal based on weather, business conditions, or seniority.
• The railroad operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may be required to work all 3 shifts, if needed. You are subject to overtime, and weekend, holiday, and/or night work.
• Must provide your own transportation.
• Travel may be required.
• Walking extensively on uneven surfaces.
• Continuous bending, stooping and kneeling are required for this position.
• The pay rate for this position is set by the union agreement and cannot be individually negotiated.
• Must have zero work related safety violations in the past two years.
• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Must practice safe work habits to prevent on the job accidents and injuries. Must utilize all protective equipment assigned.
• Compliance with the applicable attendance policy is an essential function of this position.
• Must be willing and able to work around large equipment such as railcars, locomotives and cranes.

You don’t need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one of our trains with your friends or family, you’ll be proud. If you’re up for the challenge, we’d love to hear from you! 

Important to note

As a global business, we’re an equal-opportunity employer that celebrates diversity across the 63 countries we operate in. We’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace for everyone.