Railroad Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

Embark on an exciting career as a Passenger Conductor Trainee, where the open rails become your workplace, and every shift takes you somewhere new. In this fast-paced, hands-on role, you will move with the journey—supporting train operations, ensuring safety, and working as part of a close-knit crew—ideal for adaptable, safety-driven individuals ready to learn on the move and deliver a confident, professional experience for every passenger.

As a Trainee, you will support safe and efficient train operations by performing both customer-facing and physically demanding duties. Responsibilities include assisting passengers, managing service disruptions with calm and professionalism, conducting safety checks, and supporting the Conductor in overseeing onboard operations and on-train staff. Strong communication skills and the ability to think and act independently are essential, as you will interact regularly with crew members, dispatchers, and customers in real time.

Trainees may be assigned to either on‑corridor or off‑corridor locations. On‑corridor assignments are located on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC), the main passenger rail line that connects major cities such as Washington, DC, New York City, and Boston. This is a high‑activity area where passenger trains operate frequently throughout the day. Trainees working on the corridor support daily train operations by performing hands‑on duties in rail yards and near active tracks. These duties include preparing trains for service (putting rail cars together in the correct order), operating track switches that guide trains from one track to another, connecting and disconnecting rail cars, working safely around diesel locomotives, and occasionally performing tasks underneath rail equipment as part of inspections or setup.

Off‑corridor assignments are located outside the Northeast Corridor, typically supporting facilities that serve Amtrak’s long‑distance and regional routes. All trainee positions—on‑corridor and off‑corridor—are physically demanding. The work requires climbing on and off rail equipment, moving between rail cars, bending, reaching, walking on uneven surfaces, riding alongside slow‑moving equipment when required, and lifting or carrying tools and equipment. Trainees must always remain alert to their surroundings and strictly follow safety instructions while working in rail yards, on station platforms, and along railroad right‑of‑way areas. Most work is performed outdoors and may take place in all types of weather conditions.

Safety is always the top priority—you will be expected to follow operating rules, remain vigilant around moving equipment, and make smart decisions in complex, high-risk environments to protect yourself, your team, and passengers.

Equally important is your commitment to customer service, bringing a friendly, calm, and professional approach, especially during high-stress situations, such as service disruptions. If you are adaptable, eager to learn, and ready to thrive in an on-call, fast-paced setting, this is your opportunity to grow in a career built on safety and service. Take the next step, watch the video and see what a day in the life of an Amtrak Conductor is all about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1clZI-RZGc.

At a Glance:

• This is a union position, and membership is required.
• This position requires a high degree of flexibility and resilience, as Trainees work on an extra board with no set schedules or shift swap capability, may be assigned long and variable shifts, including those exceeding 18 hours or spanning multiple days—and must be available to work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended periods away from home.
• This position is physically demanding and requires the ability to stand and remain on your feet for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Applicants must possess strong analytical skills to troubleshoot equipment and understand and comply with safety regulations and emergency procedures.
• The role requires individuals to have clear verbal and written communication, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail to accurately document delays, incidents, passenger impacts, and mechanical issues.
• This role requires individuals to possess problem-solving and conflict-management skills to not only arrange contingency solutions during service disruptions, but also ensure orderly, compliant passenger conduct.

Training:

New hires must be willing and able to attend a comprehensive training program lasting seven (7) to eight (8) weeks in Wilmington, Delaware. This training requires full attendance and may involve extended time away from home, particularly for candidates who live outside the Northeast Corridor. This program uniquely blends classroom instruction with hands-on fieldwork, equipping you with the essential knowledge and skills necessary for success in the railway industry. The training program will run as follows:

• In an instructional setting, you will learn key concepts such as safety protocols, customer service techniques, and operational procedures.
• Following your foundational training, you will transition into extensive on-the-job training at your assigned Crew base. Here, you will apply what you have learned in real-world scenarios, enhancing your abilities while working alongside seasoned conductors.
• This immersive training experience prepares you to make a positive impact on every journey as you grow into a skilled and confident Passenger Conductor Trainee.

Upon completion of training, new conductors are placed on the extra board and must demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to shift work. Assignments are typically communicated approximately three (3) hours in advance, and employees must report to the station no later than 40 minutes prior to departure. Work schedules frequently include nights, weekends, and holidays.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Support the safe, efficient operation of trains by assisting the Conductor with train movements, compliance with operating and safety rules, and ensuring the execution of movement orders and pre-determined service plans across passenger and non-passenger operations (including yard duty and work trains) are understood and carried out by operating crew.
• Promote a safe environment for passengers and crew by enforcing safety procedures, responding to emergencies, and safely assist passengers during boarding and detraining.
• Perform yard operation requiring continuous movement around and between train cars while safely carrying, positioning, and connecting heavy air hoses and electrical cables in support of train assembly and inspection activities.
• Systematically organize and sort checked baggage on long distance trains according to final destination, ensuring accurate tracking, timely unloading, and proper transfer upon arrival.
• Deliver an exceptional customer experience by assisting passengers, making onboard announcements, providing service and connection information, managing passenger conduct, and addressing service disruptions and special needs.
• Collect and verify fares and revenue documentation in accordance with established tariffs and procedures.
• Assist with the preparation and submission of operational and service reports, including delays, incidents, passenger issues, and mechanical concerns.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with passengers, crew members, and others to support safe train operations and high-quality service, while working independently and as part of a team.
• Maintain required knowledge of train operations, including operating rules, safety and emergency procedures, equipment operation (air brake rules and electrical instructions), and troubleshooting practices.
• Represent the organization with a professional appearance and demeanor, consistently complying with uniform and grooming standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Demonstrated work experience that showcases responsibility, initiative, and other leadership characteristics.
• Two (2) years of full-time verifiable work experience and/or college coursework (combination accepted), totaling of two (2) years.
• Demonstrated history of satisfactory attendance and adherence to safe work practices in previous employment.
• Must have a current and valid driver’s license.
• Must live within a 2-hour commute of the Crew Base.
• Ability to lift 50lbs and meet the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) standards for vision, color vision, and hearing as specified in 49 CFR 242.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience leading or supporting others in a work or team setting.
• Customer service experience involving cash handling.
• Demonstrated work history that reflects your ability to adapt to varying work schedules.
• Basic mechanical experience/knowledge, indicating familiarity with equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.

The hourly range is $24.38 – $24.38 (with opportunity for increases, as per the applicable collective bargaining agreement, after beginning employment). 

Some benefits are subject to the collective bargaining agreement. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:166815
Posting Location(s):California

Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 100%
You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.