Railway Yard Clerk

Tacoma Rail Yard Clerk

Tacoma Rail has provided rail transportation as a public entity since 1914. With 16 locomotives, more than 100 employees and about 43 miles of track in two operating divisions within Pierce County, Tacoma Rail provides key freight connections for customers in the greater Tacoma Washington area, handling in excess of 100,000 freight shipments per year. The Yard Clerk works both in an office environment and while out in the rail yard. They will be performing data entry and clerical duties in the checking, marking, and recording of railway cars to support the billing and generation of reports. A significant portion of time is spent entering alphanumeric information in an accurate and timely manner. They will inform switching crew of railroad yard, location, disposition, and number of railroad cars to be switched for loading, unloading, makeup, and breakup of trains. Responsibilities include:

• Check railroad tracks for railcars; record cars received from and returning to mainline railroads; mark cars to indicate destination. Yard Clerks must keep an accurate inventory of all railcars arriving and departing the Tacoma Railyard from our class 1 railroad partners and our many customers in the Tideflats.
• Enter electronic data related to the movement of railcars to maintain records; generate and distribute computer reports to appropriate railroad personnel.
• Report railcar, track, or any other defects to appropriate personnel.
• Operate office equipment such as computers, printers and copiers; operate a motor vehicle as necessary to conduct work.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Railway office and railyard environment; subject to noise and fumes.
• Position requires walking and climbing, including stairs and uneven surfaces.
• Position is subject to all weather conditions.
• Position requires availability to work during any 24 hour period.
• Position is subject to 12 hour workdays.

Qualifications

An equivalent combination to: graduation from high school and two years' increasingly responsible clerical experience. Six months of railway yard clerk experience is preferred.

• Valid Washington State driver's license
• Successfully obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card and maintenance thereafter. Begin application process within 14 days of hire.

Knowledge & Skills

• Record-keeping techniques.
• Operation of a computer terminal.
• Railway rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Railway language and terms.
• Safety regulations and precautions.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Telephone techniques and etiquette.
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Maintain computerized records and generate reports.
• Anticipate and prioritize based upon changing circumstances.
• Meet schedules and time limits.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Operate office equipment machinery such as computer terminals, printers and copiers.
• Operate a motor vehicle.
• Quickly adapt to changes in operating procedures.

Compensation & Benefits

Hourly Rate: $33.51 - $44.68

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.