Wayside Operations Carman (Atlanta, GA)

Description

At Norfolk Southern, we believe that our people power progress. Our culture is built on our SPIRIT values-Safety, Performance, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Teamwork-which guide how we work, lead, and grow together. If you're ready to launch a career in mechanical maintenance and contribute to the reliability of our rolling stock, we invite you to explore this role.

Primary Purpose of Carman Wayside Detection Analyst:
Norfolk Southern Railroad utilizes a sophisticated network of track side detectors to monitor the health of trains and freight cars as they traverse the system. Each of these specialized wayside devices measure key areas of equipment performance and health to include; wheel impacts, equipment imbalances, worn wheel profiles, freight car and locomotive truck geometry, hot wheels, hot roller bearings and even advanced imaging detection of defects while trains pass at track speeds. These Wayside Detectors feed internal systems that are monitored by the Analyst - Wayside Help Desk who take proactive actions to remedy train and equipment health concerns during the course of the trip.
The Analyst-Wayside Help Desk is responsible for working within a team of Operations Center (OC) Wayside Detector Help Desk Analysts on 12-hour shifts. Analysts utilize all available resources to provide accurate real time troubleshooting, tickets and artifacts, coordination, and escalation of any Wayside Detection related incidents to determine root cause and safely mitigate and minimize train delays.

Hands-on, field-based training is required and prepares individuals for a career in freight car inspection and/or maintenance and repair through structured classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Trainees learn to inspect and/or repair, and maintain railcars to ensure safe and efficient operations across our network.

What Should You Know

• This is a union represented position.
• You must be available to work shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Union membership is required within 60 days of establishing seniority.

Training

Training includes both classroom and field instruction:

• Classroom Training: Mechanical Safety Orientation and craft-specific
• Field Training: Hands-on experience in car repair shop and/or yard.
• Duration: Approximately 7 weeks (1 week safety orientation + 6 weeks craft training).
• HQ Training on the Wayside Desk
• Norfolk Southern provides lodging and reimburses travel per union agreement.

Principal Duties on Wayside Desk:

* Adhere to triggers and escalations of system or component issues that cause train delays or result in reportable incidents; manages up and across the organization

* Follows standard operating procedures (SOPs) to provide for efficient and accurate handling of real time wayside detector alerts and issues

* Monitor system health of railroad rolling stock for proactive remediation

* Interact with Transportation and Field forces to ensure safe, effective and cohesive handling of issues discovered through the wayside detector network

* Exhibit knowledge of proper interpretation of Wayside Detection readings and metrics

* Cultivate collaborative relationships with train crews, C&S field forces, NOC, and Mechanical teams

Additional Job Responsibilities:

• Inspect and/or repair and maintain freight cars in compliance with FRA and AAR standards.
• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety and operations.
• Complete and enter information in computer systems regarding car components, destination, lading, repair records, bad orders, and car releases
• Work safely to prevent accidents and injuries and wear required protective equipment (hard hat, hearing protection, safety-toe boots).
• Complete annual safety training and pass safety rules examinations.

Qualifications - Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and physical standards.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and perform heavy physical labor.
• Must pass background screening and post-offer medical examinations, including drug tests.

Qualifications - Preferred

• Mechanical experience or Carman apprenticeship.
• Veterans and transitioning service members encouraged to apply (roles such as 2141, 91B, 91H, heavy equipment mechanics).

Skills and Abilities

• Mechanical aptitude.
• Agile problem solver, performs technical analysis to direct corrective action
• Drives alignment of team to program to departmental and corporate goals
• Safety driven focus
• Effective communicator that empowers decisive resolutions.
• Poise under stress
• Collaborates and builds relationships
• Technical detail & documentation

Technical Skills:

* MS Office 365

* Utilize and toggle between many internal applications for support (Wayside Diagnostic System (WDS), Remedy, PTCMon, UTCS, MainFrame, TYES, LMIS, , etc.)

* Knowledge of NS Operating Rules and Practices

* Knowledge of system hazards and applicable remediation

* Knowledge of train operations and practices associated with Wayside Detectors

* Knowledge Freight Car Mechanical Components and Operations

Physical and Mental Job Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must maintain alertness and concentration while working around heavy, moving equipment.
• Ability to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, climb, and walk long distances over uneven terrain.
• Ability to meet FRA medical requirements:




• Visual acuity (at least 20/40 in each eye separately and both together with or without corrective lenses).
• Hearing-no hearing loss greater than 40B average, at 500, 1000, and 2000 in better ear (can be met with hearing aid).

Education:

* Preferred Level: Bachelor's Degree (BS)

* Preferred Majors: Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Business (any)

Work Conditions

• Office or Shop and outdoor environments.
• Shift work across all three shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• BRC Union membership required.
• This is a safety-sensitive position requiring constant alertness while working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines.

Compensation and Benefits

Standard Pay Progression:

• 1st 40 Working Days: $21.26 (50% of Full rate)
• Next 204 Working Days: $31.89 (75% of Full rate)
• Next 244 Working Days: $34.01 (80% of Full rate)
• After 2 Years/488 Working Days: $42.52 (100% of Full Rate)
• Training and Service on the Wayside Desk counts toward progression above; but is compensated at $42.52 (100% of Full Rate)

Benefits include:

• Medical coverage may begin as early as the first day of the second month after hire.
• Health insurance (80/20 or 85/15 plan), $20,000 life insurance, and 401(k) eligibility from day one.
• Dental and vision coverage after one year of service.

Career Path:
* Predecessor Jobs: Carman, Mechanical Supervisor, General Supervisor, C&S Supervisor, Train Dispatcher, Engineer, Conductor
* Future Jobs: Analyst Digital Train Inspection, Engineer Digital Train Inspection, Manager ATC Operations Center, Senior General Supervisor

Work Conditions

* Shift Work: Yes

* On-Call: Yes

* Weekend Work: Yes

Company Overview

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

At Norfolk Southern, we believe in celebrating our individuality. By leveraging the unique backgrounds and viewpoints of our employees, we can create a culture of innovation, respect, and inclusion. We know that employees thrive in a workplace where differing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences are freely shared and valued. As such, we encourage all employees to contribute their distinctive skills and capabilities to our organization.

Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.