Railroad Car Mechanic job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Railroad Car Mechanic  in details. A complete job description concludes Railroad Car Mechanic  key duties/responsibilities, Railroad Car Mechanic  job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Railroad Car Mechanic  duties:

1.      Inspect cars and components in accordance with railroad associations, Federal Railroad Administration regulations and company operating standards.

2.      Perform all scheduled, on-request and preventive maintenance and repair on rail cars, under frames, on structures, safety appliances, draft systems and any associated tests.

3.      Repair and install railway car parts such as compressors, air valves, bearings, couplings, air cylinders and piping.

4.      Use hand tools, power tools, welding equipment, cutting torches and measuring instruments.

5.      Operate transport vehicles including cranes, trucks, track mobile and shop equipment.

6.      Prepare inspection, maintenance and work reports, and record details on prescribed forms in accordance with established procedures.

II. List of Railroad Car Mechanic  qualifications

1.      Valid driver's license.

2.      Previous welding experience gained through formal training or work experience.

3.      Familiarity with electrical and electronic tools and instruments.

4.      High School diploma or equivalent General Education Diploma (GED).

5.      Ability to work autonomously, adapt to different situations and manage stress.

6.      Demonstrate good teamwork and maintain positive interactions with others.

7.      Good verbal, reading comprehension and writing skills.

8.      Ability to determine the condition of objects/parts for wear and/or defects.

9.      Dedicated to getting the job done while meeting established standards of quality, safety and client satisfaction.

10.  Basic computer skills.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.