Strasburg Rail Road Company

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Car Inspector

FLSA: Non-exempt

POSITION REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Locomotives & Rolling Stock

POSITION PURPOSE:

A Car Inspector is responsible for performing railcar inspections and making repairs to running gear, draft equipment, and brake systems to ensure compliance with company standards. The Car Inspector also assists with major shop repairs and overhauls carried out in coordination with the Superintendent of Locomotives & Rolling Stock and the Chief Mechanical Officer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

· Perform routine servicing and inspection on currently active passenger and freight cars.

· Properly complete and file maintenance and inspection records, in accordance with company policies.

· Identify conditions that are non-compliant with company maintenance standards and affect the necessary repairs.

· Coordinate placement of equipment for required work with relevant mechanical and operations stakeholders.

· Coordinate brake valve maintenance and inventory.

· Monitor and maintain inventory of car mechanical parts, such as brake shoes, coupler components, foundation brake rigging components, journal pads, journal bearings and wedges, wheels and axles, etc.

· Maintain testing devices such as end-of-train brake pipe gauges and single-car test devices in good condition, properly calibrated, and seek certification as required.

· Other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS:

· Positive and effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors, including the ability to solve problems and meet the immediate and long-term equipment and operational needs of the railroad.

· Able to identify correctly and improperly functioning systems and diagnose problems.

· Carries out proper and efficient repairs as directed in compliance with company policies.

· Fabricates parts to specified dimensions and tolerances.

· Able to identify parts and materials appropriate for the application.

· Seeks instruction when needed to complete inspections and repairs properly.

· Shows up to work on time, appropriately attired, and prepared to work.

· Enthusiastically takes on responsibility and aids Team Members to accomplish department goals.

· Maintains supplies required for the daily operation of railroad cars.

· Ensures railroad cars are ready when required for service.

· Works safely and efficiently and maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

· Complies with instructions from superiors and works independently when required.

· Complies with all policies outlined in the Employee Handbook, supplemental policy, or guideline memos from the President.

· Works well with others

QUALIFICATIONS:

· A positive attitude.

· Understanding of the physics of the railroad environment.

· Understanding of historic railroad car design, including plain bearings, and the mechanical processes used to execute the design.

· Be familiar with the safety rules of the railroad, emphasizing blue signal protection rules in accordance with the Company’s policies.

· Enthusiasm for the company and its mission.

· Strong understanding of railroad car mechanical construction and maintenance.

· Familiarity with air brake systems.

· Ability to carry out verbal or written instructions.

· Capable of operating welding machines, oxy/fuel torch rigs, plasma cutters, angle grinders, and other metal fabrication tools at or above a foundational level.

· Familiarity with basic machine tools, such as band saws and drill presses.

· Proficient with the use of hand and power tools.

· Ability to read and work from simple mechanical drawings.

· Organizational skills and careful attention to detail.

· Willingness to work at heights on ladders, scaffolds, man lifts, or on top of rail-mounted equipment.

· Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

· Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions, as needed.

· Willingness and desire to learn.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Full-time, minimum forty (40) hours per week. Regular shop hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.. Monday through Friday. Shifts occasionally vary due to changing projects, priorities, and other factors.
• Work is both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions during all seasons.
• Work requires regular social contact with Team Members, customers, and vendors.
• Occasional exposure to very hot or very cold temperatures.
• Frequent exposure in a shop setting to soot, dust, oil, paint, and other potentially hazardous substances.
• Frequent work in spaces allowing limited mobility.
• Frequent need for personal protective equipment.
• Extended periods of walking, standing, or kneeling.
• Frequent lifting in excess of 50 pounds.

Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are also essential to an effective appraisal system and related promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination decisions. Well-constructed job descriptions are an integral part of any effective compensation system. All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.