Job Description

Primary Purpose:

Apprentice Signal Trainees will be trained to perform the duties of Signal Workers. Signal Workers are an important link between ensuring compliance to FRA regulations and customer satisfaction while achieving the safest most efficient railroad operations.

Principal Duties:

Signal Workers are primarily responsible for performing FRA regulatory test and inspection of the signals systems.
Install, repair, and maintain, test and inspect various equipment such as signals lights, switch machines, electrical switch locks, switch circuit controllers as well as crossing warning devices as well as the maintenance and repair of automatic classification yards.
Install, repair, maintain, test, and inspect signal systems including Automatic Block, Traffic Control, Positive Train Control, cab signal and interlocking systems
Other general duties include cable locates, painting and housekeeping of signal housings & equipment; climb and troubleshoot signal structures and make electrical connections.
Use of a wide variety of hand tools, on track high-rail equipment, and test instruments
Perform construction duties, including digging holes and trenches to lay cables, wiring apparatus, setting foundations, installing equipment, etc.

Apprentice Signal Trainee Training Program

Successful applicants will participate in a 52-week paid apprenticeship training program that includes in-class theory and lab work with hands-on skill development in the field.

              Week 1-3: Signal Training-1 (McDonough, GA)

              Week 4-16: OJT Signal Construction Gang

              Week 11-19: Signal Training-2 (McDonough, GA)

              Weeks 20-40: OJT Signal Maintenance Training

              Week 41-43: Signal Training-3 (McDonough, GA)

              Weeks 44-52: Additional OJT training

The in-class portion of the training program consists of three sessions that are three weeks long each. These sessions are in McDonough, GA and are mandatory.
Apprentices will be required to pass a series of periodic tests relating to duties, responsibilities, and operating rules. In the circumstance that an apprentice fails any of the periodic testing, their application for employment may be rejected at that time.
Apprentices that successfully complete the training will then be placed on the seniority district roster hired and is eligible to bid on Signalman or Signal Maintainer roles.

Eastern Region Seniority Districts: Buffalo NY, Binghamton NY, Albany NY, Hartford CT, Allentown PA, Reading PA, Harrisburg PA, Pittsburgh, PA

N&W Region Seniority Districts: Erie PA, Cleveland OH, Akron OH, Columbus OH, Fort Wayne IN, A

Southern Lines East Seniority Districts: Raleigh NC, Ashville NC, Charlotte NC, Columbia SC, Greenville SC, Gainesville GA, Knoxville TN, Memphis TN, Huntsville AL, Jackson MS

Southern Lines West Seniority Districts: Jacksonville FL, Macon GA, Atlanta GA, Birmingham AL, Hattiesburg MS, Chattanooga GA, Louisville KY, Evansville IN, St. Louis MO, Lexington KY

Probation period is 90 days.
Required to get Class A CDL in probation period.

Rate of Pay

Initial 3 weeks at the Norfolk Southern Training Center – Compensation is $70.00 per day

First Period (through day 130) – Compensation is $33.53 per hour

Second period (next 130 days) – Compensation is $33.88 per hour

After completion of these 275 days, new hires will receive 100%, which is $34.57 per hour

Medical Benefits

Company Benefits - Eligible 1st day of second month after hire (during training)
80/20 plan for employee, spouse, and eligible dependents
Union Benefits available after mark-up from Trainee status
Medical (Managed or 85/15 Plan)
$20K Life Insurance
401 (K) First Day of Employment
After 1st year of service: Eligible for Dental / Vision

Job Related Experience:

Minimum Level:  1-2 years
Preferred Level:  3-5 years

Education:

Required: High School diploma or GED
Preferred Level:  Technical Certification or Associate degree (AS)
Preferred Majors: Electrical Technician, Electronics Engineering or Electrical Engineer

Licenses / Certifications:

Required:  None listed
Preferred:  None listed

Skills and Abilities:

Time Management
Prioritizing Work Demands
Communication Skills
Multi-tasking
Planning and Organizing
MS Excel/Spreadsheets, MS Outlook, and MS Word/Word Processing