Railroad Operator job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Railroad Operator in details. A complete job description concludes Railroad Operator key duties/responsibilities, Railroad Operator 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 Operator duties:

1. Operate various machines such as Lathes, Bearing Press, Bearing Pull, and other production machines in a heavy industrial environment.
2. Must maintain Quality and Safety Standards.
3. Use measuring devices (i.e. gages, calipers).
4. Follow all work procedures and maintain accurate documentation accordingly.
5. Operate small overhead cranes, forklifts, etc.
6. Other duties as assigned.

II. List of Railroad Operator qualifications

1. Must be at least 18 years of age or older.
2. Must be able to pass a review of misdemeanor and/or felony convictions...within the past seven years
3. Unable to consider applicants currently on probation, parole or diversion program.
4. Must be able to pass drug test and fitness for duty medical review.
5. Must have complete understanding of safe work practices.
6. Basic shop math/High School Diploma or GED
7. Ability to read micrometers, calipers and work to strict quality tolerances.
8. Ability to multitask and work with minimal supervision.
9. Must be able to read and write English legibly and complete production reports with accuracy.
10. Must be quality oriented and a team player.
11. Strong attention to detail.
12. Basic computer skills and excellent organizational skills.
13. Flexibility in shift and schedule and good attendance record.
14. Must be able to work any shift, overtime and weekends to meet business demands.
15. Must be able to pass requirements of strict drug testing, and criminal history review

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.