Job Description

NOTE: This is an FRA-covered position. FRA-covered employees are those employees who have been assigned to perform Mechanical duties and are therefore subject to the random pool for monthly drug and alcohol testing.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:
Performs inspection and repair activities, primarily directed to freight and passenger cars, both foreign and system, following applicable Field Manual of Association of American Railroads Interchange Rules, Federal Railroad Administration Regulations and Alaska Railroad Corporation\'s regulations/specifications.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Performs inspection of railroad rolling stock for defective conditions in accordance with applicable Federal Railroad Administration Regulations, Part 231, Railroad Safety Appliance Standards, Part 215, Railroad Freight Car Safety Standards and Part 238, Passenger Equipment Safety Standards. Defective equipment is removed from service based upon application of applicable guidelines. Component inspection includes all aspects of freight and passenger car anatomy. In the course of passenger and freight car inspection, applicable Federal Railroad Administration Regulation inspection forms are documented and signed.
Performs repairs to freight and passenger car rolling stock, both foreign and system, using various tools of trade. Repairs are performed are in accordance with Field Manual of the Association of American Railroads Interchange Rules and AAR Manual of Standards, encompassing all component removal, replacement and/or restoration of car anatomy.
Performs individual freight car and train consist air brake tests in compliance with Title 49, Transportation, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 232, Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and other non-passenger trains and equipment; end of train devices.
Performs individual passenger car and passenger train air brake tests in compliance with Title 49, Transportation, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 2382, Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and other non-passenger trains and equipment; end of train devices.
Provides guidance to shippers in the proper placement and securement of lading using Association of American Railroads Open Top Loading Rules and approved ARRC interline procedures. Performs load inspection to insure lading securement and loading compliance.
Responds to derailment situations, participating in re-railing activities associated with reestablishing mainline and service track access.
Provides necessary Blue Signal Protection per Title 49, Transportation, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 218, Railroad Operating Practices.
Participates in various aspects of training, including apprentices and other Car Department employees, as required.

FACTOR 1: Skill and Knowledge
Incumbent must possess a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of railroad car anatomy, construction, repair, and/or maintenance. Ability to read, interpret and apply the detailed guidelines of the Association of American Railroads Interchange Rules and applicable Code of Federal Regulations is required to ensure proper repairs have been accomplished. Must possess knowledge required to apply various gauges required to gauge wheels, couplers, and other car components while engaged in inspections and repair activities. Functional in the preparation of AAR Billing Repair Cards for the documentation of repair activities and subsequent counter billing. Carmen are required to use skills in more than one specific trade, including such skills as welding, sheet metal work, carpentry, pipe fitting, mechanical work and associated tooling to perform these duties. While engaged in the performance of duties, Carmen are required to inspect equipment for defective conditions and determine status. Examples of inspected components are as follows:
Safety appliances: handholds, handbrakes, sill steps, ladders.
Air brake components: foundation brake rigging, including air brake components such as air hoses, angle cocks, brake rigging, brake valves, air cylinders and reservoirs.
Trucks assemblies: Truck frame components including wheels, axles, journal roller bearings and boxes and associated equipment.
Underframe and draft attachment components: coupler assemblies, draft gears and associated components, as well as center plate/side bearing arrangements.
Super structure assemblies: center sills, side posts, end sheets, roof sections, doors and interior of cars.
Incumbent must use initiative and sound judgment in the application of applicable rules and guidelines. It is preferred that incumbent have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of re railing procedures.

FACTOR 2: Responsibility
Responsible for making proper diagnosis of defective conditions in order to ensure repair activities are in compliance with applicable Federal, Corporation and Industry standards. Where required, incumbent initiates and completes appropriate documentation. The employee is under the general supervision of the Freight Car Foreman who provides general work assignments; the incumbent assumes full responsibility for part of the overall operation of the Car shop functions; he advises both his supervisor, as well as higher echelon officials, on various technical problems that arise. Incumbent works with considerable independence from supervisory controls; Participates in various aspects of training, including apprentices and other Car Department employees, as required.

FACTOR 3: Physical Effort
Position requires walking, stooping, bending, lifting and some climbing, as well as sitting for extended periods of time.

FACTOR 4: Working Conditions
Repair and inspection activities are performed in a various number of settings, both indoors and out. Subject to noises and vibrations, fumes, gases and poor ventilation, dust, dirt, grease, grime, working around heavy equipment, icy, slippery surfaces, inclement weather conditions, and conditions normally present in a production shop environment. Safety clothing, i.e., steel toe shoes, gloves, hard hats, eyes and ears protection, are available and utilized to reduce or prevent injuries.

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

-High school diploma or GED.
-Valid driver\'s license.
-Capable of using a respirator.
Successfully completed a Carman\'s apprenticeship or has had four (4) years practical experience at Carman work.
-Knowledge of railroad car construction, repair, and/or maintenance.
-Ability to read, interpret and absorb the detailed guides of the Association of American Railroads Interchange Rules and Regulations; the AAR Wheel and Axle Manual and the Safety Appliance Requirements for all class of cars.
-Skill to use and maintain various gauges required to gauge wheels, couplers, and other car parts while performing inspections.
-Ability to determine whether defects or damage to foreign cars was the result of Alaska Railroad handling or due to owner\'s defect.
-Knowledge to prepare Car Billing Repair Cards to ensure proper repairs have been accomplished and were necessary in order to place cars back in service.
-Incumbent must possess a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of rerailing procedures.
-Must use initiative, judgment, and rely on experience in the performance of duties.
-Knowledge of U.S. Safety Appliance and Power Brake Laws, Manual of Safety Rules and Regulations, blueprint reading, AAR rules, FRA rules and regulations.

Additional Required Information

Please include any REQUIRED AND DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS in your APPLICANT PROFILE and/or RESUME. If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment and whether full- or part-time. Your application will be closely reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant will not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

The above reflects only the more significant details for the performance of the job and is not intended to be all inclusive.

Contact Information

Alaska Railroad Human Resources Department

E-Mail:

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 107500, Anchorage, AK 99510-7500

Street Address: 327 West Ship Creek, Anchorage, AK

Fax Number: (907) 265-2542

Alaska Railroad Corporation is an equal opportunity employer

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