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Signal and Track Switch Repairers Occupation Detailed Description

Signal and Track Switch Repairers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Signal and Track Switch Repairers

The main tasks and work activities of Signal and Track Switch Repairers are to maintain work equipment or machinery, inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear, test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning, inspect equipment to locate or identify electrical problems. In general, for the Signal and Track Switch Repairers, troubleshooting, equipment Maintenance, quality Control Analysis, repairing and other 14 skills are required.
Signal and Track Switch Repairers Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Signal and Track Switch Repairers jobs. 12.82% of Signal and Track Switch Repairers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 31.57% of Signal and Track Switch Repairers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
12.82%
Post-Secondary Certificate
31.57%
Some College Courses
10.71%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
44.39%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.51%

Tasks and Work Activities of Signal and Track Switch Repairers

  • Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems.
  • Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors.
  • Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment.
  • Drive motor vehicles to job sites.
  • Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates.
  • Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts.
  • Replace defective wiring, broken lenses, or burned-out light bulbs.
  • Record and report information about mileage or track inspected, repairs performed, and equipment requiring replacement.
  • Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed.
  • Lubricate moving parts on gate-crossing mechanisms and swinging signals.
  • Clean lenses of lamps with cloths and solvents.
  • Maintain high tension lines, de-energizing lines for power companies when repairs are requested.
  • Test air lines and air cylinders on pneumatically operated gates.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Maintain work equipment or machinery.
  • Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear.
  • Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
  • Inspect equipment to locate or identify electrical problems.
  • Drive trucks or other vehicles to or at work sites.
  • Adjust the tension of nuts or bolts.
  • Repair electrical circuits or wiring.
  • Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Record information about parts, materials or repair procedures.
  • Inspect electrical or electronic systems for defects.
  • Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
  • Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
  • Control power supply connections.
  • Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.

Skills and Abilities for Signal and Track Switch Repairers

  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Equipment SelectionDetermining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • InstallationInstalling equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Active ListeningGiving 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.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Hearing SensitivityThe ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Depth PerceptionThe ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Speed of ClosureThe ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Articulating boom lifte.g. Articulating aerial lift equipment
  • Audio spectrum analyzere.g. Audio spectrum analyzers
  • Brush cuttere.g. Brush cutting equipment
  • Ammeterse.g. Clamp-on ammeters
  • Closed circuit television CCTV systeme.g. Closed circuit television CCTV systems
  • Oscilloscopese.g. Digital oscilloscopes
  • Digital camerase.g. Digital still cameras
  • Stop watche.g. Digital timers
  • Voltage or current meterse.g. Digital voltage meters
  • Voltage or current meterse.g. Frequency specific volt meters
  • Passive infrared sensore.g. Hotbox detectors
  • Inkjet printerse.g. Inkjet computer printers
  • Inkjet fax machinee.g. Inkjet fax machines
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Liftse.g. Mechanical lifts
  • Megohmmeterse.g. Meggers
  • Screwdriverse.g. Multi-tip screwdrivers
  • Hammerse.g. Multipurpose hammers
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge 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 LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.