CDL A YARD HOSTLER | FLEXIBLE SHIFT | FONTANA CA

Tasks

• Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.

• Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.

• Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.

• Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.

• Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.

• Apply and release hand brakes.

• Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors.

• Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.

• Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.

• Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations.

• Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.

• Ride on moving cars by holding onto grab irons and standing on ladder steps.

• Operate track switches, derails, automatic switches, and retarders to change routing of train or cars.

• Receive, relay, and act upon instructions and inquiries from train operations and customer service center personnel.

• Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.

• Report arrival and departure times, train delays, work order completion, and time on duty.

• Pull knuckles to open them for coupling.

• Provide assistance in aligning drawbars, using available equipment to lift, pull, or push on the drawbars.

• Drive locomotives to and from various stations in roundhouses to have locomotives cleaned, serviced, repaired, or supplied.

• Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.

• Perform routine repair and maintenance duties.

• Operate and control dinkey engines to transport and shunt cars at industrial or mine sites.

• Operate flatcars equipped with derricks or railcars to transport personnel or equipment.

• Provide assistance in the installation or repair of rails and ties.

• Operate switching diesel engines to switch railroad cars, using remote controls.

Skills

• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Knowledge

• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

• Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.