MOW Technician

Role Overview

Track Maintenance

• Remove and replace ties, drive and pull spikes, install and remove rail anchors, align tie plates, cut rails, and repair track components.
• Handle ballast by removing, replacing, tamping, and assisting with unloading ballast from ballast cars.
• Inspect track, switches, signals, trackbed, right-of-way, passing trains, and weather-related conditions for defects or hazards.

Equipment and Materials

• Operate hydraulic hammers, air or gas-powered wrenches, rail drills, abrasive rail saws, and hydraulic spike pullers.
• Load, unload, carry, and move track equipment and materials weighing up to approximately 100 pounds, with assistance where specified.
• Work safely around railcars, locomotives, cranes, and other large equipment.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow company, railroad, and Federal Railroad Administration safety rules, practices, and procedures.
• Inspect equipment and work areas before starting work and respond to visual signals, warning sounds, and emergency conditions.
• Wear required personal protective equipment and maintain safe work habits to prevent accidents and injuries.

Required Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license and Commercial Driver’s License required.
• Ability to perform continuous heavy physical labor, including walking, lifting, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, and climbing required.
• Ability to read regulations and instructions and communicate clearly in English required.
• Positive working relationships and conflict-handling ability required.
• U.S. work authorization without company sponsorship and minimum age of 21 required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Construction or farm equipment operation experience preferred.
• Welding certificate or welding experience preferred.
• One year of railroad Maintenance of Way experience preferred.
• Roadway Worker Protection qualification preferred.

Work Conditions and Schedule

• Work is outdoors in all weather conditions and may occur in rural or remote geographic areas.
• Travel and on-road work may be required, and employees must provide their own transportation.
• The railroad operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; all shifts, overtime, weekends, holidays, and seasonal work may be required.
• Extensive walking on uneven surfaces and continuous bending, stooping, and kneeling are required.

Compensation

• The pay rate is set by the union agreement and cannot be individually negotiated.