Railroad Supervisor job description

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

1. Plan for the manpower, equipment, and materials needed to provide service to customers.
2. Directs and supervises performance of trains and engine crews to ensure compliance with the Book of Rules, Special Instructions, Bulletins, Special Notices, and other established practices.
3. Supervise personnel in accordance with labor agreement, company rules, and FRA regulations.
4. Maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers.
5. Propose cost reductions and operating changes as service requirements change.
6. Promote safe work practices and environment.
7. Complete all required reports.
8. Responsible for the coordination of transportation activities of the railroad with internal and external customers to provide for the safe and efficient movement of cars and trains.

II. List of Railroad Supervisor qualifications

1. High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) is required.
2. Bachelor''s degree in Transportation, Logistics, Business Management, or Business Administration preferred.
3. Valid driver''s license required.
4. Minimum of 2-years of railroad or heavy industrial management experience required.
5. Supervisory experience preferred.
6. Computer proficiency required (MS Office Software).
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
8. Must be willing and available to work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed to accomplish job requirements.
9. Must be willing to work outdoors in inclement weather.
10. Union Railroad Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.