Job Opportunities in Canada

Train Conductor

Enjoying physical labour, teamwork and working outdoors as well as being safety-minded are vital to a career in rail operations at CN. With a vibrant, 24/7 schedule, no two days will ever be alike. You can expect fresh challenges, a safety-focused work environment, paid training and supportive colleagues who share your passion for motion. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!
Conductors work as members of two- or three-person train crews and perform duties associated with the movement of trains, rail cars, and locomotives in rail yards and on the road. They coordinate the assembly of trains and execute any ground work outside the locomotive cab while in the yard or en-route (ex: operating track switches, picking up rail cars, making emergency repairs, etc.).
Responsibilities
The statements in this section are essential job functions that an employee must be able to perform with or without accommodations in order to achieve the objectives of the Conductor job.

• Ensuring compliance with all train orders, signals, railroad rules and regulations related to safety and operations

• Providing and receiving various forms of oral and printed instructions concerning the movement and placement of rail cars

• Assembling/dismantling trains in the rail yard, and picking up/setting off rail cars en-route

• Observing, interpreting, and relaying signals to ensure safe train and locomotive movement

• Operating track switches to change locomotive and rail car routes

• Inspecting the condition of a train and equipment

• Making effective decisions when in unfamiliar locations or emergency situations

• Communicating effectively with the Rail Traffic Control centre, other train crews and other departments on a regular basis via handheld radio

Paid Training Structure
Newly hired CN Conductors participate in a comprehensive paid training program at the CN Campus in Winnipeg, MB. Expenses related to transportation, accommodations, and meals while at Campus are covered by CN.
Successful completion of the entire training program is required in order to work as a CN Conductor and includes:

• 9-10 weeks at CN Campus (classroom training & exams)
• 11+ weeks at CN Home Terminal (on-the-job training & qualification trips)

• The specific number of weeks spent training will depend on the requirements of the home terminal and union agreement.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Working a flexible schedule with regular and predictable attendance, in line with the 24/7 railroading environment (includes night, weekend, holiday work hours, some overtime, and being away from home for extended periods of time)

• Pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying up to 90 pounds

• Working outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions

• Operating various devices on rail cars and locomotives, such as uncoupling levers and handbrakes

• Climbing on and off ladders of moving rail cars

• Grasping and holding objects while riding the side of a train

• Walking for frequent extended periods

• Bending, stooping, squatting, and kneeling frequently

• Meeting medical fitness requirements for the position, including those established by the Railway Association of Canada, such as the ability to recognize and distinguish between the colors of signals

Other Requirements

• Writing and passing safety and rules exams. (Note: As per collective agreement, subsequent mandatory Locomotive Engineer qualification to retain seniority/employment.)

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Obtaining and maintaining Conductors Rule Card

• Possessing and maintaining a passport allowing entry/re-entry to the Canada and the United States (in certain specific locations)

• Proficiency in both oral and written communications

Assets

• Completion of college or vocational/technical school and/or Freight Conductor experience

• Relevant work experience in similar working conditions or regulatory/safety environment

• Possessing and maintaining a valid driver’s license

Candidate Pool
When you apply to this job requisition, you are not applying to one specific job, but rather enlisting in CN's recruitment process to secure your place on our priority roster for upcoming Train Conductor positions. As Train Conductor positions become available, applicants that have met the qualifications and completed the entire recruitment process will be contacted with an official offer of employment for the location they applied to.
If you are successful in joining the pool of qualified candidates, the result of your interview, background check and medical assessment will remain valid for 6 months.
About CN
CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.

At CN, we are dedicated to building North America’s safest, most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates from underrepresented groups often don’t apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. Even if you don’t see yourself in every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please reach out to our team at cnrecruitment@cn.ca.
As an equal employment opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted. Please monitor your email on a regular basis, as communication is primarily made through email.