Track Laborer/Welder

Overview

The wondrous achievement of the transcontinental railroad wasn't in building the trains. It was in laying the track.

And it's still our track that keeps us in business. Everything we do depends on our more than 32,000 miles of track. Union Pacific has invested more than $1 billion each of the last six years on track improvements.

In this entry-level position, you'll make those improvements. This is outdoor work – removing and replacing ties, pulling and driving spikes and shoveling rock ballast. You’ll handle equipment that weighs up to 75 pounds and help others handle even heavier equipment – like a track replacement train, the TRT 909. The TRT 909 pulls up old wooden ties and rail and replaces them with concrete ties and new rail all in one pass.

You'll be responsible for keeping the track and trackbed in good shape. That means checking for broken rails, defective switches, deteriorating trackbed, track obstructions and weather-related problems. Even the trains themselves are partly your responsibility. You'll watch for shifted loads or spillage. In your work, you’ll use air hammers, air- or gas-powered wrenches, rail drills and portable abrasive saws.

 

Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old. You must speak and read English because you'll be asked to follow government regulations and instructions.  This is heavy, physical work. You must have stamina and strength and pass a physical ability test to be considered for an interview. Two years of welding experience is preferred.

If You Are Offered a Job

We will conduct a thorough background investigation. This will include your Social Security number, criminal and drug history, past employment, education, professional licenses and certifications, military history, driving record, credit history and any other information relevant to the job.

You must complete a medical history questionnaire, a urine drug test and a medical screening to judge whether you are able to perform the essential tasks of the position.

You must also be able to prove that you are a U.S. citizen or that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Pay

Newly hired Track Laborer/Welders can expect to earn about $15.90 an hour, with actual pay depending on location and Union-negotiated agreements.

Benefits

You'll receive a competitive benefits package designed to complement your lifestyle. Generally, the agreement benefits package includes health and wellness, retirement and work/life-related benefits.

Health and wellness benefits include:

• Medical, prescription, vision and dental insurance
• Free wellness programs
• Life insurance
• For some crafts, a Supplemental Sickness Benefit Plan

Retirement benefits include:

• 401(k) thrift plan
• Railroad Retirement, a program similar to Social Security

Work/life benefits include:

• Paid vacation and holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee discounts

Potential Career Path

Training

As a Track Laborer/ Welder, you must complete mandated training related to safety, company policies and work procedures. Specific training – welding, track work, machine operation, crane operation, bridge work, etc. – is available if you wish to be promoted within the Engineering Department.

Application Process

To apply for a position at Union Pacific, select View Open Positions from any page on this site. You will then be able to view a list of open positions by location or by the type of career you're looking for.

If you select "See Open Positions" from a specific job description page – Apprentice Diesel Mechanic, for example – you will see locations where the job is available. Click on the position that you would like to apply for to see the official job description. When you select "Apply online" from this page, your application has officially begun.

Be prepared to spend 20 to 30 minutes completing your application. Have the following information ready:

• Social Security number.
• Employment history, including employer addresses, supervisor names and titles, and salary history.
• Education and training history, including school names and addresses, years completed, and degrees, certificates and licenses received.
• Military history.
• Three professional references.

You will be asked general questions about your background and qualifications for the job. And, if you have a resume in a word processing document, you will have a chance to cut and paste the text of your resume into your application.

After you apply

You can check the status of your application at any time by selecting Application Status on the Career site homepage. Enter your user ID and password, and you will see the status of any applications you have submitted. If your status is "Currently Being Reviewed," you can click on those words to see more details.

When your status is "Currently Being Reviewed," it means that your application has been successfully submitted and now is in consideration with other people who have applied for the same position. Depending on how many applications we receive and the scheduling of hiring sessions, applications could remain at this status for 60 to 90 days, so please be patient and check back often.

If your status immediately says "Thank You," this means that you are not currently eligible for employment at Union Pacific, based on the information you have provided. Several situations can disqualify you from working at Union Pacific:

• You are not 18 years old.
• You have a disqualifying condition.
• You have not met a requirement specific to the job or location.

Changing your application

Once an online application is submitted, the only information that can be changed or updated is your contact information (name, address, phone number). If you need to update your contact information please click here and enter your user name and password.  If you are invited to a hiring session, you will be given an opportunity to make other updates to your application before your interview.

Interviewing with Union Pacific

If you have applied for a union position, there are two ways you will be contacted for an interview. First, your web status will be updated to "Invited to Hiring Session." When you click on those words, you will receive the time and location of your interview. Second, you will receive a phone call informing you of the update. When we call you, we use the phone number you supplied on your application. So please make sure it’s a number where you can readily be reached.

If you have applied for a non-union position, you will receive a phone call.

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