Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

Skills

• Coordination

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Monitoring

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Speaking

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Critical Thinking

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Active Listening

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Abilities

• Oral Expression

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Oral Comprehension

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Problem Sensitivity

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

• Far Vision

  The ability to see details at a distance.

• Near Vision

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

• High school diploma or equivalent
  86 %

  or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

• Post-secondary certificate
  8 %

  Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

• Associate's degree
  6 %

Work Activities

• Getting Information

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Performing General Physical Activities

  Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Detailed Work Activities

• Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
• Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
• Direct emergency management activities.
• Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
• Direct passenger or freight transport activities.

Work Interests

• Realistic

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Enterprising

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.