Railroad Worker job description

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

1.      Inspect railroad bridges, arches and culverts.  Analyze conditions of various types of structures and record in inspection books

2.      Direct the continual maintenance of bridges, culverts and structures

3.      Provide direction and effective supervision to all direct reports to ensure and promote safe and efficient work habits

4.      Create and review various reports, such as bridge inspection reports, gang weekly activity reports, material reports, FRA reports, efficiency test, etc..

5.      Prioritize repairs based on conditions

6.      Manage bridge material at various locations for repairs

7.      Ensure maximum quality performance with minimal delays and costs

8.      Ensure the working reliability and performance of equipment

9.      Provide assistance in planning of budgets

II. List of Railroad Worker qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent required
2. Some college preferred
3. Valid state issued driver's license
4. Eight years working on railroad bridge maintenance, inspections and construction
5. Knowledge of railroad construction materials
6. Good communication skills and attention to detail
7. Technical and mechanical acumen
8. Knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
9. Knowledge of KCS On Track Safety Rules, General Code of Operating Rules, FRA Title 49, Track Safety Standards Part 213, and Railroad Workplace Safety and Bridge Worker Safety Part 214

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.