(Career Asssessments, Exploration & Counselling)
Career: Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
Job Description
Operate railroad track switches. Couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Signal engineers by hand or flagging. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes.
Job Tasks
Importance %age |
Task Description |
100
|
Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly. |
100
|
Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched. |
97
|
Pull or push track switches to reroute cars. |
97
|
Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains. |
95
|
Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication. |
94
|
Observe signals from other crewmembers so that work activities can be coordinated. |
91
|
Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes. |
80
|
Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools. |
78
|
Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary. |
76
|
Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops in order to warn oncoming trains. |
73
|
Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches. |
62
|
Monitor oil, air, and steam pressure gauges, and make sure water levels are adequate. |
60
|
Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites. |
53
|
Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed. |
46
|
Watch for and relay traffic signals to start and stop cars during shunting. |
38
|
Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions. |
28
|
Refuel and lubricate engines. |
27
|
Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains. |
14
|
Answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and timetable information. |
11
|
Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers. |
Work Activities
Importance %age |
Activity Description |
82
|
Performing General Physical Activities
|
75
|
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
|
74
|
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
|
74
|
Handling and Moving Objects
|
69
|
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
|
68
|
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
|
66
|
Getting Information
|
60
|
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
|
59
|
Controlling Machines and Processes
|
58
|
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
|
58
|
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
|
56
|
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
|
55
|
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
|
54
|
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
|
54
|
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
|
54
|
Documenting/Recording Information
|
52
|
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
|
51
|
Processing Information
|
50
|
Coaching and Developing Others
|
50
|
Training and Teaching Others
|
48
|
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
|
43
|
Scheduling Work and Activities
|
42
|
Thinking Creatively
|
41
|
Developing Objectives and Strategies
|
40
|
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
|
40
|
Analyzing Data or Information
|
39
|
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
|
39
|
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
|
38
|
Developing and Building Teams
|
38
|
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
|
37
|
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
|
36
|
Assisting and Caring for Others
|
26
|
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others
|
26
|
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
|
23
|
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
|
23
|
Interacting With Computers
|
21
|
Performing Administrative Activities
|
20
|
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
|
19
|
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
|
12
|
Selling or Influencing Others
|
7
|
Staffing Organizational Units
|