PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs various duties in the installation, maintenance and removal of track ties, rails, fasteners, ballast, turnouts and other track components.
- Inspects track, including ties, rail, fasteners and switches for safety defects.
- Loads and unloads work train material.
- Removes snow and ice from track, switches, walkways and other locations as required.
- Removes debris from track, switches, subway and rail yards.
- Assists in maneuvering equipment, vehicular traffic and other tools required for track repair and track construction.
- Operates rail borne track maintenance equipment as required.
- Performs flagging duties as required.
- Performs other duties associated with track maintenance and construction as required.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to this position are the following jobs:
Job Title
CHALLENGES
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Required to submit to and pass drug and alcohol testing as mandated by the Federal Transportation Administration for safety sensitive positions.
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
- Must pass the CTA math class.
- Must pass the CTA Third Rail Safety Training
- Must pass the CTA flagging qualification class in order to properly set up work site slow zones and to flag trains through a work site.
- Must pass the 30/90/120 Day Trackman reviews during probationary period
- Must pass the CTA training class for Track Inspector.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Required to perform extensive lifting, carrying, and maneuvering of materials and track tools weighing up to 100 pounds.
- Must be able to perform extensive digging and spiking of track ties.
- Must be able to walk on elevated open deck track and foot walk at heights up to 60 feet above the ground.
- Must be able to accurately swing a spike maul and sledgehammer.
- Bending, stooping, reaching, crawling, crouching, climbing, pushing, pulling and coordination to perform track repairs.
- Climbs up and down ladders and stairs.
- Walks up to six miles per day inspecting track on various track structures, including elevated open deck and uneven ground.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Must be knowledgeable of safety rules in order to perform work without injury.
- Must be proficient in the use of devices required for measuring track.
- Required to have knowledge of track construction and maintenance.
- Must have high school level math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, especially of fractions.
- Must be proficient in the use of all types of hand- and power-operated tools used by track crews.
- Must have the ability to communicate with other employees to assure safety while performing work.
- Must be able to work as part of team and follow directions.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Works outdoors subject to prevailing weather, including extreme heat/cold, wind, rain and snow.
- Works various days, hours and locations. Subject to 24-hour emergency call out.
- Works in conditions subjected to noise, vibration, dust, exhaust fumes and various odors.
- Works on open deck elevated structures (up to 60 feet high), ground level track structures and in cool, damp subways.
- Works immediately adjacent to electrically energized rail (600-volt) and associated power distribution apparatuses.
- Works on in-service track immediately adjacent to moving trains and vehicular traffic at street level.
- Works with power-operated, moving equipment.
- Exposed to chemical hazards from creosote on ties.
EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED
- Large hand tools including sledge hammers, spike mauls, pinch bars, claw bars, shovels, track wrenches, track jacks, tie tongs and rail tongs.
- Small hand tools including screw drivers, wrenches and hammers.
- Measuring devices including rulers, tape measures, gages, thermometers, string lines and compasses.
- Impact tools included drills, socket drivers, and tamping guns.
- Power-operated tools including rail saws, rail drills, chainsaws, impact guns, generators, hydraulic power packs, air compressors and man lifts.
- Cutting and burning devices including oxygen and acetylene torch and propane torch.
- Small electronic devices including handheld digital assistants and tablet PCs.
- Creosoted wood tie, plastic tie, concrete tie, steel rail, steel joint bars, steel tie plates, steel track spikes, steel screw spikes, steel track bolts and grease.