Locomotive Electrician - Decatur, IL 2024

Job Description

Locomotive Electricians are responsible for conducting routine maintenance, repair, rebuild, inspect, and install all electrical wiring and equipment on diesel electric locomotives and their components. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations, and federal regulations
• Wire, maintain, repair, rebuild, inspect, and install equipment such as: Rheostats, Control Systems, Transformers, Motors & Generators, Welding Machines, Electric Lighting Fixtures, Winding Armatures, Battery Charging Systems, Magnet Coils, Switchboards & Meters, Compensators & Rotors, Electrical Collectors.
• Measure, cut, thread, bend, and assemble connections to control panels and junction boxes.
• Reading electrical prints, testing circuits, and connections, using multimeters, amp clamps, etc. 
• Diagnose, repair, and replace electrical malfunctions in components including loading charging, transition problems, wheel slip, sander circuits and high and low voltage grounds.
• Perform work activities utilizing voltages up to 1200 and amperages up to 2400.
• Examine parts for wear and/or defects such as brushes contact tips, slip rings, armatures, diodes, bearings, and fuses.
• Interpret test instrument indicators.
• Interpret information from computer monitors or printouts.
• Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor. 

Job Requirements

• A Locomotive Electrician holds a safety sensitive position in which he/she must maintain alertness and concentration while at work.  Safety sensitive tasks may include:  
  • Constantly working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines.
  • Frequently climbing on/off locomotives inside and outside the shop in all weather conditions.
  • Operating and moving a locomotive engine (some of these movements may fall under the Hours-of-Service act).
• Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries
• Wear protective equipment such as hard hat, hearing protection, or safety-toe boots
• Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations
• Must pass all required assessments
• Must pass a background screening
• Must pass a post-offer medical examination, including a drug test
• This position is governed by a union position and membership is required 

Additional Information

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED
• 18 years of age or older
• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years electrician experience.
• Completion of an electrical vocational or trade school program.
• Journeyman Electrician.
• One year experience reading blueprints or electrical schematics. 
• Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to apply. Military roles that often transition well to this position (but not limited to): 65F, 88S, 1345, AMT, AE, 3E0X1 are encouraged to apply. 

Skills and Abilities

• Verbal comprehension (understand oral and written communication).
• Communication skills (provide clear instructions/directions).
• Reasoning skills (problem solving and troubleshooting skills).
• Basic Math.
• Ability to multitask.
• Memory (recall track placement and locomotive location).

Physical Demands   

• Heavy work, lifting to 50 pounds.
• Stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb.
• Walk long distances over uneven terrain.
• Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity/tracking/inspection.

Training
Travel for paid training to McDonough, GA. Locomotive Electricians will complete 1 week of Mechanical Safety orientation and 6 weeks of craft specific training. Norfolk Southern will reimburse travel and pay for lodging as required by union agreement.

Compensation Data

Rate of Pay

• 1st 40 Working Days: (50% of Full Rate)        
• Next 204 Working Days: (75% of Full Rate)    
• Next 244 Working Days:  (80% of Full Rate)    
• After 2 Years/488 Days Working Days: $40.98 (100% of Full Rate – Journeyman)

Benefits

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

Work Conditions

Working hours will include shift work over all 3 shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Shifts are assigned/awarded by seniority. The work environment is a shop and outdoor work.