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Railroad Inspector Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

CO

$89K/yr

A Railroad Safety Inspector (MP&E) provides technical expertise and direction in th execution and administration of rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to ...

CO

$89K/yr

A Railroad Safety Inspector (MP&E) provides technical expertise and direction in th execution and administration of rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to ...

CO

$89K/yr

A Railroad Safety Inspector (MP&E) provides technical expertise and direction in th execution and administration of rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to ...

The Track Specialist is a senior level inspector that monitors railroad track functionality and structure to assure compliance with federal safety regulations. The successful candidate must ...

Inspect railcars for damage/ fatigue Identify repairs that can be performed by Road & Rail Services Perform authorized repairs to customer and AAR specifications Operate various types of mechanical ...

Cog Railway - Engineer Job Pay Rate: $18.00/Hr. Job Summary: The Broadmoor is committed to creating ... Conduct thorough pretrip and posttrip inspections, completing safety and mechanical checks each day.

Carman

Pueblo, CO · On-site

Under the general supervision of the Supervisor Rail Vehicle Maintenance II, the Carman is responsible for performing inspections, preventative maintenance, repair, and modification of railcars at ...

Showing results 21-40

Railroad Inspector information

See Colorado salary details

$25.8K

$57.8K

$104.1K

How much do railroad inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for railroad inspector in Colorado is $57,769.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,500.00 and $66,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a railroad inspector do?

A Railroad Inspector is responsible for examining railroad equipment, tracks, and operations to ensure compliance with federal and state safety regulations. They inspect locomotives, railcars, signals, and infrastructure, looking for defects or safety hazards. Railroad Inspectors also investigate accidents, enforce safety standards, and may issue citations or recommend corrective actions. Their work helps ensure the safety and reliability of rail transportation for both freight and passengers.

How to become a railroad inspector?

To become a railroad inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with experience in railroad operations or maintenance. Many employers prefer candidates who have relevant technical skills, knowledge of safety regulations, and may require certification or training in railroad safety standards. Some positions also require passing a background check and physical fitness assessment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a railroad inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Railroad Inspector, you need a comprehensive understanding of railroad operations, safety regulations, and inspection procedures, often supported by technical training or relevant certifications. Familiarity with inspection tools, track geometry measurement systems, and reporting software is typically required. Attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure the safety, reliability, and compliance of rail systems, which are critical for public safety and efficient transportation.

What are common challenges faced by railroad inspectors during field inspections?

Railroad Inspectors often encounter challenges such as working in varying weather conditions, navigating remote or hazardous locations, and adhering to strict safety protocols. Inspections can require close attention to detail to identify wear, defects, or regulatory non-compliance in rail infrastructure and equipment. Additionally, balancing thoroughness with efficiency and collaborating with train crews or maintenance staff to address issues promptly are important aspects of the role. These challenges are essential for ensuring the overall safety and reliability of rail operations.
What job categories do people searching Railroad Inspector jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Railroad Inspector jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Railroad Inspector jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Railroad Inspector job openings:
Infographic showing various Railroad Inspector job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,769 per year, or $27.8 per hour.

Railroad Safety Inspector (MP&E) -BIL DIRECT HIRE- SME

Department of Transportation

CO

$89K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


California Conservation Corps rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

542nd of 842 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

This position(s) is located in the Office of Railroad Safety, Motive Power & Equipment Division. A Railroad Safety Inspector (MP&E) provides technical expertise and direction in th execution and administration of rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment.

Qualifications:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To be qualified for a Railroad Safety Inspector (Motive Power & Equipment), the Qualifications Standard states you MUST have demonstrated knowledge in the following areas: 

  • Railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment.
  • General safety and health principles and practices applicable to the railroad industry.
  • Railroad accident investigation techniques.
  • Communication in writing and orally.
  • Design, maintenance, or inspection of various types of locomotive and freight cars currently in use and their capabilities and limitations.
  • Installation, maintenance, or testing of railroad safety appliances and power brakes, their capabilities and limitations; AND
  • Federal laws and regulations pertaining to inspection and testing of locomotives, freight cars, safety appliances, and power brakes.

To qualify for the Grade 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

  • Experience in the functionality of mechanical equipment that pertains to design, maintenance, testing, and inspections of various types of locomotive and freight cars currently in use and their capabilities and limitations.
  • Experience ensuring railroad compliance with federal regulations by auditing railroad inspections activities, conducting inspections, assessing safety complaints, and performing accident investigations.
  • Experience producing electronic and automated inspection and violation reports that describe defective conditions, narrative accident/incident reports and present safety related information to railroad managers, and federal and state stakeholders.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  1. Accident Investigation- Knowledge of guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with an accident investigation including preservation of accident scene, root cause analysis, and evidence detection and handling.
  2. Compliance Inspection- Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with compliance inquiries, including application of compliance rules and criteria and ability to make appropriate decisions and issue citations, fines or orders.
  3. Planning and Evaluating- Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short-or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
  4. Oral Communication- Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
  5. Written Communication- Writes a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:Employment Type: OTHER

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