Helper - New Hire

About this job

Your success is a train ride away! As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees. Are you ready to join our team? Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future. Job Summary A C&S (Communications & Signals) Helper assists Qualified Employees in corrective and preventative maintenance and construction of signal equipment such as wayside signals, crossing equipment and electric switch machines. This work involves digging, trenching, painting, wiring, and cabling at both inside and outside locations and being a watchman when required. The C&S Helper also operates company vehicles in the performance of their duties as required. Applicants must be able and willing to understand and apply safety rules, practice safe work habits, identify safety risks and avoid potentially risky behaviors and situations. Performance testing will be required for promotion to Signal Maintainer.Essential Functions The C&S Helper also operates company vehicles in the performance of their duties as required. Applicants must be able and willing to understand and apply safety rules, practice safe work habits, identify safety risks and avoid potentially risky behaviors and situations. Minimum Qualifications Must be a minimum of 18 years of age and a high school graduate or GED Equivalent. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license on the date of hire. CDL License preferred. Must be able to perform heavy physical labor. Must be able to read and understand job information written in English. Applicants must be able to perform basic mathematical computations including fractions and decimals. Ability to pass required training with written exams including two weeks of safety training, and required department training modules over a 10-month period to progress to qualified maintainer. Preferred Qualifications Previous construction experience and/or experience operating construction equipment preferred. Electronic/electrical background or education, military or civilian, preferred but not required. Communications signal, electrical and/or electronic experience preferred. Previous railroad experience in signaling preferred but not required. Communications and Interpersonal Skills Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. The hourly range is $26.30 – $35.06 (with opportunity for increases, as per the applicable collective bargaining agreement, after beginning employment). Health and Wellbeing Financial and Retirement Work and Family Life Support Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 401K Rail Pass Privileges Wellness Programs Railroad Retirement Benefits Employee Assistance Program Medical Plan Opt-out Credit Life Insurance Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts No-cost Personal Health Advocate No-cost Financial Advisor Session Fertility and Family Building Benefits Some benefits are subject to the collective bargaining agreement. Learn more about our benefits offerings here. Requisition ID:167106Posting Location(s):Illinois Relocation Offered:No Travel Requirements:Up to 25% You power our progress through your performance. We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen. Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law. In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions. In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses. Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.