Railroad Roadmaster job description

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

1) Coordinate and plan ordinary maintenance and program track work with other departments to maximize track work and train operations.
2) Perform track inspections and monitor track inspectors to ensure quality inspections and safe train operations.
3) Follow and monitor work practices, safety related issues to improve quality and performance.
4) Monitor and enforce FRA compliance along with company policies, rules and standards.
5) Work with local, county and state agencies on railroad issues to create and continue good relations.
6) Plan and provide information for future track improvements with Chief Engineer.
7) Oversee program gangs and third party work being performed on territory.
8) Manage labor, tools and materials for field forces to perform track maintenance.

II. List of Railroad Roadmaster qualifications

1) Experience in Maintenance of Way track standards and policies.
2) Prior supervisory experience in track maintenance.
3) Familiar with FRA track standards.
4) Familiar with and able to apply safety rules and procedures.
5) Self motivated and good communication skills to work with other departments and public agencies.
6) Establish track maintenance budgets for territory based on historical data, and operational requirements. Control costs and manage territory to stay within budget limits.
7) Monitor projects to ensure materials and resources are provided to meet schedules and budgets.
8) Travel and overnight stays may be required.

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.