Enter a job title or keyword

Braker-Switcher

Army Transportation

Job Location:

Southport, NY - USA

Hourly Salary: USD 26 - 26

Posted: 6 October 2026 (7 hours ago)

Application Deadline: 3 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

About the Position: This position is with the US Army Transportation Command 596th U.S. Army Transportation Surface Brigade 832nd US Transportation Battalion Rail Operations Division located in Southport North Carolina.

Duties

Monitor the safe movement of trains and railcars.
Give and respond to signals and instructions in routine and emergent situations.
Set out transfer and pick up rail cars by uncoupling setting and releasing car brakes and air brake hoses.
Use proper signaling means and equipment such as arms hands lanterns lights and flags to signal for normal and emergency conditions.
Inform locomotive engineer by use of signals of malfunctioning or track obstructions.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination as determined by a completed background investigation.
This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination.
This position requires preemployment and annual drug testing to comply with Federal and Department of Army Drug Free Workplace Programs.
In accordance with AR 690-11 this position has been designated as Key and shall not be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization as doing so would seriously impair the capability of the organization to function effectively.
This position has a requirement to lift up to 20 the regular performance of duties.
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.
This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 25% of the time.
This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings weekends holidays or special situations.
This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.
This position has been designated Mission the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis.

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 Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
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 Braker-Switcher without more than normal supervision. Ability to work without more than normal supervision I have experience independently working as a Braker-Switcher and railroad crew member for 120-ton diesel electric locomotives. I perform switching signaling flagging coupling brake setting involved in the movement of box cars containing hazardous cargo. Check track switches to ensure they are properly set and reset. Judges braking and stopping distances. Sets out transfers and picks up rail cars and groups of rail cars. Checks tracks for obstructions defects train derailment unsealed rail cars and malfunctioning railroad equipment. - 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 (Screen-out Element)
Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) and Ability to Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
Ability To Interpret Instructions Specifications etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
Operation of Motor Vehicles
Reliability and dependability as a Braker-Switcher
Work Practices (includes keeping things neat clean and in order)

PHYSICAL EFFORT - Must use physical agility and effort in pushing pulling lifting positioning and turning various braking switching and coupling devices; moving and lifting arms and devices to give signals; walking over rails and ties and running to perform tasks. Must be able to climb aboard locomotives and train cars sometimes while they are moving or have slippery steps rungs and grab irons. Required to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds and put forth similar effort in pushing and removing obstacles from the railway.
WORKING CONDITIONS - Works under many adverse conditions in both good and bad weather. Frequently exposed to loud noise fumes and odors. Exposed to possible injuries from accidents. May wear protective clothing such as safety shoes and gloves. Any unusual environmental working conditions that may arise will be compensated for under an appropriate category of the environmental pay regulation.

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 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 Logistics 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 Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Salary includes applicable 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Apply Now