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

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Interests
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Knowledge
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Public Safety and Security - 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.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Skills
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening - 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.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Tasks
Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.
Perform routine repair and maintenance duties.
Operate and control dinkey engines to transport and shunt cars at industrial or mine sites.
Operate flatcars equipped with derricks or railcars to transport personnel or equipment.
Provide assistance in the installation or repair of rails and ties.
Operate switching diesel engines to switch railroad cars, using remote controls.
Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.
Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
Apply and release hand brakes.
Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors.
Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.
Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges in order to ensure proper operation of equipment.
Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations.
Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
Ride on moving cars by holding onto grab irons and standing on ladder steps.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $31,790.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $26,350.00 and $38,650.00.

Outlook

During 2004, there were approximately 360 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 140 employed in 2014. This occupation will have about -22 openings due to growth and about 11 replacement openings for approximately -11 total annual openings. This occupation experienced significant decline.

Colleges and Training
There are currently no programs listed for this occupation.
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