Railroad Repairer

Duties

• Repair worn rails, angle bars, frogs, tongue and mate switches, cross and switch ties.
• Operate, lubricate and adjust railroad switch stands and points.
• Install, remove, space and taper railroad ties.
• Load materials (rails, ties, ballasts, and tools) on motor maintenance cars.
• Determine techniques for tie insertions, removals, tie spacing and tapering.
• Determine the tools needed and find the defects described based on the detailed instructions given which spell out area to work.
• Determine normal joint location, bolting requirements and use of rail anchors.
• Identify defects, broken rails, broken base, rotted ties, loose spikes and unlevel ballast to determine which repairs are needed.
• Use tools such as: claw bar, tamping bar, wrenching bar, crow bar and/or lining bar; track chisel; hand file; hand operated rail drill, wrench; rail tongs; tie tongs; and track punch.
• Use gasoline operated drill to drill holes in rails at prescribed points.
• Use portable power saw to cut rails to lengths.
• Use portable power grinder to smooth welded rail joints and high spots on rails.
• Maintain and repair rails/equipment to comply with safety rules and regulations.
• Maintain road beds by cutting brush, filling ballast, removing debris, resurfacing and seeding slopes.
• Wear protective gloves, hard-toe shoes, safety glasses and protective devices.
• Identify possible failures and defects in railroad ties and equipment.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11. While probationary the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 10% of the time.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position
• This position has a requirement to lift up to 45lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
• Position meets Federal and Department of the Army Drug-Free Workplace Program criteria. Drug detection required. Subject to pre-employment screening, random, reasonable suspicion, and post-on-duty accident testing.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
• This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

• Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
• Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• People with Disabilities, Schedule A
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of an Railroad Repairer without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform the most difficult and complex tasks which include performing maintenance, repair, and preventive-maintenance services on standard-gauge railroad track and related railroad equipment; replacing worn rails, angle bars, switch stands, points, frogs, tongue and mate switches, cross ties, and switch ties; and maintaining, repairing, cleaning, lubricating, and adjusting switch points. I am considered an expert in installing and adjusting mechanical flanges, oilers, spring switches, and related switch equipment; using railroad hand and power tools, including tongs, bell hammers, spike hammers, wrenches, power drills, power saws, grinders, air hammers, and pneumatic jacks; repairing rail, ties, ballast, roadbeds, trestles, bridges, and highway-crossing signal components; responding to derailments; and operating and performing driver maintenance on trucks and motor maintenance cars. I work with a high degree of independence. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
• Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Dexterity and Safety
• Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order)

• Physical Effort: Grade 5 railroad repairers perform extremely strenuous work for long periods. For example, they frequently lift and carry tools and equipment weighing over 36 kilograms (80 pounds) or exert comparable effort in moving and positioning railroad track components. Their work involves frequent or continuous bending, reaching, pushing, kneeling, lifting, and similar body and limb movement.
• Working Conditions: Grade 5 railroad repairers typically work outside, often in seasonal temperature and weather extremes and are subject to the following conditions: loud machinery noises; possible burns from hot equipment; fumes from creosote, insect sprays, and smoke; falls from hazardous footing; dirt, cuts, and grease or oil; insect bites; and possible injuries from handling equipment. They may wear protective gloves, hard-toe shoes, safety glasses, and similar protective devices, some of which may be uncomfortable and worn for long periods.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• This is a Transportation and Distribution Management Career Field position.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the information sheet.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement..
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.