Switching Specialist

Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Fortune Magazine and Great Place to Work, Sasser prides itself on supporting an employee-driven, opportunity-based culture that empowers, recognizes, and rewards its employees. From highly competitive benefits to exciting employee events to organic, grassroots philanthropy and volunteerism, Sasser is an awesome place to begin and grow your career. We are a transportation asset services and management company with roots dating to 1928. Sasser’s subsidiary units are leaders in providing commercial- and industrial-focused rail, automotive, and containerized shipping solutions, including asset leasing, fleet administration management, asset repair and maintenance, and innovative technology services.

Sasser family of companies includes subsidiaries Chicago Freight Car Leasing, Union Leasing, CF Rail Services, Express 4x4 Truck Rental, and Falcon Lease. To learn more about what makes Sasser special, visit www.sasser.com.

The Role

This position is responsible for switching and railcar movement via coordination with locomotive or track mobile operator. This position directs the locomotive operator through a set of radio and hand signals to move and place rolling stock throughout the CFRS facility.

Responsibilities

• Learn and adhere to all CFRS safety procedures.
• Learn the basic flow and logistics of railroad industry and repair business.
• Successfully complete the CFRS switching training/safety policy program.
• Keep work area in a clean and orderly manner so as to comply with CFRS, OSHA and environmental rules and regulations.
• Responsible for following written and verbal directions, while effectively working in a team environment.
• Responsible for the safe and efficient movement of rolling stock.
• Create written reports of all cars handled to and from railroad, indicating car, condition, proper identification of cars and time received.
• Couple and uncouple rolling stock, throw switches, set and release hand brakes, and lace railcar brake connections.  Facilitate and comply with proper air brake charging technique.  Signal locomotive / track mobile operator for switching and spotting of cars throughout facility in accordance with instructions from supervision.
• Coordinate with shop leads or supervisors to spot cars in work departments.
• Identify rail non-conformities and report and/or repair.  Perform minor repairs such as tightening rail spikes and adjusting switches.
• Understand and follow site specific American Association Railroad – Federal Railroad Association (AAR-FRA) rules.
• Maintain and update logbooks and time sheets daily. 
• Perform basic locomotive/ track mobile and track maintenance and assist with daily maintenance inspection of equipment. Perform fueling and lubrication of equipment as necessary.
• Set up and operate various hand and power tools.
• Follow work instructions and work within a self-directed work team.
• Make use of proper switching commands and language.
• Know facility layout to service as a locomotive / track mobile operator and switchman depending on facility demand.
• Operate locomotive and switch mobile to move, switch and spot rolling stock.
• Daily verification of locomotive/ track mobile to ensure engine is in safe operating condition.  Completion of daily locomotive/track mobile inspection sheet is required.
• Receive, interpret, and act in accordance with Switch Technician signaling (hand and/or radio).
• Operate locomotive in congested areas where a high degree of attention and care is required to prevent accidents and/or facility damage.
• Perform re-railing of cars that derail within the plant due to yard-rail or railcar defective conditions.
• Successfully complete this positions "Education/Formal Training" requirements.
• Wear PPE in appropriate areas.

Note: Responsibilities include the expectation to always act to support the interests of the department and organization and to perform other duties as assigned to ensure the successful achievement of departmental and company objectives.

Qualifications and Experience         

• High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED) preferred, but not required.
• Successfully pass the following courses with an 80% or higher score coordinated by CF Rail Management:
  • FRA Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards and Locomotive Inspection
  • Basic Principles of Track Maintenance

Skills

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Work will be performed outdoors and indoors, on and around heavy equipment. May be required to work overtime and/or varied shifts to meet the demands of the business.

Work assignments involve standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing, crawling, and crouching in strained and awkward positions for prolonged periods of time at various heights up to 20 feet. Uses hands, legs, and arms to climb vertical ladders to staging or suspended platforms. Lifts, carries, and sets up equipment and components that weigh up to 50 lbs. Employee must be medically certified to wear a respirator, as well as be able to wear respirators for prolonged periods of time.

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This role is also eligible for benefits. Sasser employees enjoy a competitive benefits program that:

·         Includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including HSA and FSA accounts with employer contributions toward HSA

·         Includes a 100% Company-paid disability and life insurance plans

·         Includes a 401K plan with company match PLUS additional end-of-year funding

·         Provides paid vacation time (tiered based on tenure), as well as personal time, sick days and summer half days for certain roles

·         Provides 10 paid holidays annually

·         Provides paid parental leave for new parents, as well as a monetary gift towards a 529 education account

·         Provides a confidential Employee Assistance Program

·         Provides training and tuition reimbursement

·         Provides community service opportunities, charity match opportunities, employee recognition programs, and many celebrations!

The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.