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

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.

The ability to see details at a distance.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

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

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

The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

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.

Realistic

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.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

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.

Enterprising

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

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

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Locomotive Engineers and Operators

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

Rail Transportation Workers

Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.

Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.

Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.

Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.

Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.

Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.

Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.

Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.

Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.

Railyard inventory software

Softrail AEI Rail & Road Manager

RailComm DocYard

Softrail AEI Automatic Yard Tracking System

Positive train control PTC systems

Railcar inspection management software

Web browser software

Railyard management software RMS

Automatic switches

Hinged derailers

Rerailers

Sliding derailers

Bumping posts

Rail car stops

Rail chocks

Rail skids

Dinkey engines

Switching diesel engines

Switching locomotives

Cab signals

Color light signals

Position signals

Air pressure gauges

Steam pressure gauges

Water pressure gauges

Hand brakes

Hand wheels

Retarders

Tank car dome socket wrenches

Wrench sets

Backout punches

Punch sets

Mobile radios

Track switches

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

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

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

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

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

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

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

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Every day

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Extremely important

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Very high responsibility

High responsibility

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

Once a week or more but not every day

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

Extremely serious

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Constant contact with others

Contact with others most of the time

Occasional contact with others

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Once a month or more but not every week

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Overview

Career

What Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Do

Other Job Titles Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Overview

Career

What Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Do

Other Job Titles Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Majors Related to Career

Related Leaders