Track inspector job description

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

1. Supervises and works in conjunction with Chief Engineer and General Manager to schedule activities of workers engaged in the installation and repair of railroad track on specified territory.
2. Raises rail, using track jack, to facilitate removal of old tie and installation of new tie.
3. Drills holes through rails for insertion of bolts using power drill.
4. Operates track-wrench machine to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.
5. Operates rail saw to cut rails to specified lengths.
6. Operates portable grinder to grind worn ends of rails.
7. Paints railroad signs, such as speed limits and gate-crossing warnings.
8. Drives company vehicles.
9. Performs other duties as requested or required.

II. List of Track inspector qualifications

1. High school education or general education development (GED); At least one year supervisory experience in railroad track maintenance or the combination of supervisory experience in track maintenance and training from a course in track maintenance.
2. Knowledge of and skills in using hand tools, including wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, measuring tapes, etc.
3. Knowledge of and skills in using power tools and hydraulic equipment, including portable grinders, rail saws, spike pullers, track wrench machines, power drills.
4. Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out detailed, but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
5. Ability to pass Railroad Operating and Safety Rules Test. Also Maintenance of Way and Roadway Worker Protection test.
6. Ability to talk and hear well enough to communicate with co-workers, supervisors, yard workers, section leaders.
7. Ability to see well enough to read operating and maintenance instructions, gauges and dials on precision measuring tools.
8. Ability to read and comprehend safety manuals, operating and maintenance instructions, test materials, drawings, schematics, and procedure manuals.
9. Ability to apply concepts of basic shop math, calculate figures and amounts such as area, circumference, length, distance, and volume.
10. Ability to write legibly to complete routine reports, and complete required testing.
11. Ability to acquire and maintain a valid drivers license to operate company vehicles.

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.