Railcar Switch Operator

Railcar Switch Operator

Do you enjoy working outdoors and climbing railcars? Are you detail-oriented, a problem solver, and have a safety mindset? Do you want to work in a rugged and exciting environment? Join us in our cultural and digital transformation to build the future and the Gerdau We Are Creating. 

$68000 to $78000 / year which includes hourly rate of $21.16 hr and after 90 days $24.60 hr, biweekly production bonus, shift premiums, and 354 annual hours of scheduled overtime.

We Have: 

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  A strong global presence with mini-mills that transform millions of metric tons of raw material to produce steel beams, flat-rolled steel, merchant bar, rebar, spikes, and wire used by the automotive industry, appliance, construction, machinery, and equipment industries.    

  
  


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  A culture that welcomes diversity, encourages innovation and creates products that serve humanity.  

  
  


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  An environment that values teamwork, safety, and sustainability. 

  
  


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  A commitment to continuous improvement and the belief that we can create a better future for our employees and our global community by investing in people, processes, and technology. 

  
  

We Offer:

• Comprehensive Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Plans – Eligible upon 1st day of hire 


• Health & Dependent Care (Flexible Spending Account) 


• 100% Matching 401K up to 6% 


• Life/Accidental Life Insurance 


• Bonuses 


• Health Advocate Services 


• Employee Assistance Program 


• Tuition Reimbursement Program 


• Career Path System and Training 


• An empowering and open culture with the opportunity to grow and create 

Your Qualifications: 

• Basic computer and math skills. 


• Mobile equipment operation experience.


• Basic mechanical skills.


• Ability to work with limited supervision.


• Flexibility to work a 12 hour rotating schedule days, nights and two consecutive weekends a month. 

Your Purpose:

Your primary responsibility will be for safety at all times. You will be responsible for proper track alignment, planning, and positioning the railcars in the yard. You will be inspecting the railcars land track throughout the day.  Also, loading prepared ferrous materials into the railcars. 

• Engage and disengage track switches to switch cars for loading, unloading, making up or breaking up of trains. 


• Manually knuckle and un-knuckle rail cars, climb on and off rail cars, and assist in re-railing derailed rail cars. 


• Operate scale system via computer and maintain weigh-ticket files while checking for accuracy of scale and related systems. 


• Perform a visual inspection of vendor scrap to confirm grades of different types of raw materials and inspect each load for non-conformities.


• Monitor weigh-tickets for accuracy of inventory movement charge numbers. 


• Maintain communication with the locomotive operator by radio and hand signals. 


• Safety for Rail Contractors making on-site repairs.


• Spot, determine areas of concern on track, gauging issues, broken track, frogs, etc.


• Cleaning and repairing of switches (shimming, butterflies, etc.)


• Repair of run-through switches.


• Maintain awareness of surroundings and activity.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to climb stairs, climb ladders, reach, squat, tolerate prolonged standing or walking, balance, bend, operate mobile equipment, crawl, kneel, and push and pull objects.


• Ability to reach, squat, and tolerate prolonged sitting.


• Ability to lift up to 70 lbs.


• Ability to operate hand controls with both hands and foot pedals with both feet.


• Ability to perform sustained overhead reaching.


• Ability to work in all environmental weather conditions which includes rain, sleet, snow, heat, humidity, and sun.


• Ability to work in cramped quarters and at heights.


• Ability to work a rotating shift schedule, including days, nights and weekends.


• Ability to tolerate working in areas where noise levels can reach 120 decibels.


• Ability to ride railcars.


• Ability to climb and hold on to railcar using 3 points of contact.


• Ability to work around hazardous materials.

Gerdau believes in equal employment opportunity related to all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of Gerdau that there will be no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. 

If you are vision-impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 or [email protected]