Track Welder

DEFINITION

Under the direction of the Maintenance of Way Supervisor this position performs maintenance activities within the railroad right-of-way enabling safe and efficient movement of trains along the San Diego and Escondido Subdivisions. This is a bargained position represented by the Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters (Carpenters) Union. 

Safely and efficiently perform duties relating to inspection, maintenance, repair and improvement of the track structure and other railroad property/facilities. Operate and maintain equipment. Transport crew and equipment to/from jobsite. This position is designated as Safety-Sensitive in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and will participate in a random testing pool under those guidelines. 

This position reports to the Maintenance of Way Supervisor and has no direct supervisory responsibility. This position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert knowledge and as a vital member of the maintenance of way team.

Normal working conditions for this position are in an operational field setting. Individuals in this position must be able to work safely to prevent on-the-job accidents and injuries, wear protective equipment including hearing protection, safety-toe boots, safety glasses and other Personal Protective Equipment items as assigned by NCTD.  

The railroad operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This position may be subject to shift changes and overtime. They must be able to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Work may include exposure to inclement weather conditions.

Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultants’ facilities, and other locations as required. 

Essential Functions

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform railroad track maintenance, repair, and installation. 
• Repair and rebuild railroad track using hand tools and specialized equipment. Specific duties will include tasks such as removing, and replacing ties, pulling and driving spikes, shoveling rock ballast, loading, and unloading equipment and material, repairing, and replacing rail, right of way clearing and cleaning, removing and replacing rail anchors and other various maintenance tasks as may be assigned.
• Perform maintenance welding of frogs, switch points and other special trackwork utilizing arc and wire feed welding equipment. 
• Repair or replace broken or cracked rail and build-up rail, trim weld, grind the surface of rail, and grind gauge sides. 
• Inspect all welding equipment daily to check for leaky cylinders, hoses, or connections. 
• Clean welding work pieces to remove impurities, such as slag, rust, and grease. 
• Monitor and maintain flow of gases, light torch and adjust gas mixture and pressure to obtain desired flame when making field welds. 
• Inspect welding after grinding to check for hairline cracks or any visible defects. 
• Operate propane torches, electric and gas welding equipment. 
• Test rail after using the thermite welding procedure to detect voids, lack of fusion or other defects in the rail. 
• Safely and effectively operate various types of equipment such as loaders, backhoes, track hoes, haul trucks, water trucks, railroad track equipment, on track equipment tampers, regulators, track stabilizers, tie cranes, tie inserters, spike pullers, spike drivers, and speed swings.
• Inspects and maintains trucks and equipment daily including but not limited to any attached apparatuses such as boom, hi-rail gear, tools, etc.
• Perform maintenance and repair on related equipment used in Maintenance of Way activities, as necessary.
• Follow proper safety and housekeeping procedures pertaining to the job and employees under management.
• Operates equipment in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Performs daily equipment safety and maintenance checks, making emergency adjustments as necessary, in accordance with regulatory requirements and NCTD policies, and documentation per daily inspection and repairs reports as requested by company management.
• Takes actions to avoid potential hazards and obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, and falling objects, this includes Underground Service Alert (USA) mark outs.
• Performs mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic repairs in the field and/or the shop.
• Communicates with direct supervisor on daily production, safety issues, and mechanical repairs.
• Operates heavy duty trucks to carry equipment to and from the work site.
• Drives machines onto truck trailers.
• Identifies and reports material and equipment usage and problems. 
• Identifies parts/material needs and process requests in accordance Handle, unload and move track materials and equipment from rail cars, carts, or trucks. 
• Maintain track beds by cutting vegetation and brush when needed, and sweeping, picking, and digging dust from movable track parts. 
• Inspect, clear, and maintain drainage facilities.
• Remove and replace ballast; tamp ballast; unload or assist in unloading ballast from ballast cars. 
• Safely and effectively operate various types of tools and equipment such as hammers, jacks, and other mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic tools. 
• Observe the condition of the railroad tracks, track beds and right-of-way for problems or defects. Through visual inspections identify broken rails, defective switches, and signals, deteriorating track bed, track obstructions and weather-related problems; check switch points; observe right-of-way and passing trains for shifted loads and spillage. 
• Must be willing and able to work around large equipment such as railcars, locomotives cranes, off track equipment and on on-track equipment.
• Understand and follow NCTD and industry safety rules, practices, and procedures.
• Wear prescribed safety apparel and personal protective equipment.
• Complete written forms and reports as required.
• Perform flagging duties as may be required. 
• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety and maintenance. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

• High School diploma or GED required.
• One (1) year Railroad Maintenance of Way work experience preferred. 
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills to deliver information to coworker(s) and supervisor(s)
• Experience reading and understanding instructions (examples may include: operating and safety rules, bulletins, special instructions, and federal regulatory documents)
• Preferred CFR 49 213 Part A – F qualification. 

A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills and 

abilities for this position may be considered.

• Possess and maintain a California driver’s license class A or B commercial driver's license (CDL) and maintain the license in accordance with state requirements for CDL’s
• Be a Certified Welder, with experience in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and/or Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW) preferred. 
• Maintain compliance with the District’s policy regarding Conflict of Interest and Ethics. 
• Must be able to become GCOR Qualified on NCTD owned railroad properties.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain annual access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
• Must be able to become RWP Qualified on NCTD owned railroad properties.

General Requirements

• Be qualified on territory and pass physical characteristics examinations.
• Must be capable of performing physically strenuous work on a continuous basis. 
• Must be able to read and comprehend regulations and instructions as well as possess good verbal communication skills. 
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, supervisors and/or customers and effectively handle conflict situations. 
• Working knowledge of and familiarity with equipment such as tampers, regulators, torches, hammers, jacks, and other mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic tools.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance and troubleshoot problems on equipment.
• Ability to maintain alertness, awareness, and vigilance. 
• Good oral and written communication skills (provide clear instructions/directions).
• Successfully complete, maintain and pass any required safety certification and testing on an annual basis.

Physical Requirements  

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The employee must:

• Be able to hear, see, and communicate verbally to exchange information.
• Physically travel between District locations and other destinations.
• Work evenings when required.
• Work in hazardous conditions and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right of way.
• May be subject to fumes, odors, dust, gases, chemicals.
• Must be able to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand. 
• Walk extensively on uneven surfaces. 
• Continuous bending, stooping, and kneeling are required for this position.
• Able to lift/carry and push/pull equipment and other objects weighing 25 lbs. (frequently), 50 lbs. (occasionally), and 100 lbs. (infrequently); 

Machines / Tools / Equipment

• Ability to operate equipment such as propane torches, electric and gas welding equipment, tampers, regulators, torches, hammers, jacks, and other mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic tools.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax and scanner machine, copy machine, and telephone. 
• Able to operate two-way radios.
• Ability to carry and operate a mobile device.