Train Coach Cleaner - 90068879 - Chicago

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

Job Summary

Are you ready to embark on a rewarding career with Amtrak? We are seeking dedicated individuals to become Coach Cleaners, responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of our train equipment. This is not just a job; it is an incredible chance to launch an enriching career in the dynamic railroad industry.

As a Coach Cleaner, you will play a key role in upholding Amtrak’s high standards by maintaining clean, safe, and regulation‑compliant train car interiors. This position supports a variety of cleaning functions, ranging from light tidying to thorough deep cleaning, to ensure a pristine environment for passengers. The role is fast‑paced and team‑oriented, requiring strong multitasking skills to meet tight deadlines and keep trains service‑ready. While not fully customer‑facing, the position may involve occasional interaction with passengers and collaboration with Onboard Services and other team members, where effective communication and professionalism are essential.

Joining Amtrak as a Coach Cleaner opens the door to a variety of advancement opportunities. Career paths include roles in Mechanical as a Carmen Helper, assisting with the inspection, maintenance, and repair of rail equipment, or in Onboard Services as a Train Attendant, supporting passenger comfort, safety, and onboard service operations. By becoming part of our team, you help create a welcoming environment for passengers while taking the first steps toward a rewarding career with growth and long‑term potential at Amtrak.

At a Glance:

• This is a union position, and membership is required.
• Shifts (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) will be assigned based on seniority, and while it may require working nights, weekends, and holidays, we value your commitment to our team.
• Individuals must be capable of working in varying climates, including exposure to both high heat and cold weather conditions based on location.
• This position supports a variety of cleaning functions, encompassing both light tidying and deep cleaning (top‑to‑bottom, detailed sanitation process, including but not limited to, sanitizing floors, seats, restrooms, high‑touch surfaces, ventilation systems) to ensure a pristine environment for passengers.
• Teamwork is essential in this role, requiring strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with fellow employees and ensure smooth operations.
• Play a key role in shaping each customer’s journey by ensuring our train interiors are spotless, welcoming, and safe. Shape the very first impression customers feel the moment they step onboard and setting the tone for a comfortable, enjoyable travel experience.
• Basic computer skills in MS Office are recommended to effectively perform administrative tasks which may include ordering supplies and timesheet submittal.

Training:

As part of your onboarding, you will undergo a comprehensive training program designed to equip you with the skills you will need to succeed. This includes:

• One (1) week of valuable classroom or computer-based learning, followed by practical on-the-job training to reinforce what you have learned.
• Regular evaluation through written and practical assessments to track your progress and ensure your proficiency and eligibility for required in-house certifications.

Essential Functions

• Conduct cleaning tasks for train cars, following all guidelines set by the FDA and Amtrak.
• Perform thorough, detail driven deep cleaning tasks to ensure every surface, corner, and hard to reach area meets our high standards for cleanliness, safety, and customer comfort.
• Utilize cleaning chemicals and equipment safely in compliance with regulatory agencies and HAZCOM guidelines and procedures.
• Maintain and care for materials, equipment, machines and hand tools relevant to your duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Prior experience in cleaning.
• Must be able to complete training and maintain necessary certifications for your position.
• Experience in commercial cleaning using OSHA-compliant cleaning chemicals, equipment, and safety practices.
• Must have basic computer skills to support essential job functions and communication.
• Ability to operate cleaning equipment such as vacuums, mops, brooms, dust pans and toilet servicing equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience interacting with the public in a customer service or related role.
• Experience working as part of a team in a fast-paced service environment.
• Experience working in or cleaning food and beverage preparation spaces while following FDA-approved hygiene and safety practices.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel. 
• Basic mechanical and equipment troubleshooting skills.
• Safely lift up to 50lbs.

Communications and Interpersonal Skills

• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions

The hourly range is $24.44 – $32.58 (with opportunity for increases, as per the applicable collective bargaining agreement, after beginning employment). 

Some benefits are subject to the collective bargaining agreement. Learn more about our benefits offerings here .

Requisition ID: 167295
Posting Location(s): Illinois

Relocation Offered: No
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.