Intermodal Labourer / Equipment Operator

CN is home to opportunities for skilled tradespeople who are interested in continually learning and building a career in a safety-focused, team environment. Working on state-of-the-art equipment and train cars that carry freight from coast-to-coast-to-coast, you’ll feel proud knowing you’re a part of what makes the economy work. And with paid training, you’ll be able to evolve your skills. At CN, the careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!

Job Summary

The Intermodal Labourer (also known as Labourer, Equipment Operator or Heavy Equipment Operator) is responsible for performing the same tasks as a Helper or Attendant Equipment Operator and Heavy Equipment Operator. The incumbent begins employment at CN as a Spareboard employee. The position works on-call and receives a minimum of 2 hours' notice before the shift as the incumbent does not have a pre-set schedule for the week.

Major Responsibilities

• Perform basic hand and horn signals to guide the Heavy Equipment Operators

• Lift, carry, place and remove inter-box connectors (IBCs)

• Drive pickups, hitch trucks, and yard tractors

• Perform various tasks to ensure the proper setup of guides on the rail cars

• Setup rail cars and assist Heavy Equipment Operators in loading and unloading containers and empty chassis and trailers to and from rail cars

• Shunt inbound and outbound loads to and from railcars

• Lift rail car hitches

• Load reefers from carters

• Connect and disconnect gensets (portable fossil-fuel powered generators)

• Place, remove, and lock and unlock train connectors

• Ensure proper container and trailer placement on rail cars

• Drive pickup and hitch trucks

• Operate yard tractors, forklifts, and small cranes

• Complete paperwork associated with the loading and unloading of railcars and trailers

• Operate heavy equipment, including mobile cranes (primarily ‘reach stackers’) that lift containers to and from railcars and truck chassis

Working Conditions

• Available to work shifts, weekends, holidays, nights and occasional overtime when necessary

• Available on-call 24/7, 24 hours a day with a minimum of 2 hours’ notice

• Partially performed outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions

• Regular exposure to dust, pollen, noise and vibrations

• Physical: lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 70 pounds occasionally

• Climb and balance, grip handholds while working at heights of 4–8 feet (1–2 meters) off the ground

• Bend, stoop, squat, kneel, and perform overhead work

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)

• Valid driver’s licence

• Lift-truck operator certification

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Ability to work autonomously, adapt to different situations and manage stress

• Demonstrate good teamwork and maintain positive interactions with others

• Good verbal, reading comprehension, and writing skills

• Be dedicated to meeting established standards of quality, safety, productivity and client satisfaction

• Hand-eye coordination

• Proficiency with shovels, rods and pry bars, sledgehammers, jackhammers, wrenches, hand and power drills, hand tools and technical instruments (meters)

• Ability to use heavy equipment such as a backhoe, trencher, and directional barring machine

• Proficiency in the operation of lift trucks, up to 21,000 pounds (10,000 kg) capacity

• Vocational and technical training or knowledge of Rail Operating Rules

Training

The incumbent receives 40 hours of paid training (classroom training and 120 hours of on-the-job training). The role must remain in the position (Spareboard) for a minimum of 3 months after hire date.