Coal Operator – Norfolk, VA 2026

Job Description

Operators are responsible for facilitating the transfer of coal from freight cars to vessels and perform maintenance or make repairs on coal pier operating equipment.

Primary Responsibilities

• • Moving coal from freight cars to vessels using various equipment
  • The equipment includes rail car pushes, ship loaders, dumpers, and forklifts
  • Greasing roller bearings
  • Monitoring and replacing oil in gear reducers associated with coal loading equipment
  • Maintaining sufficient inventory of the materials necessary to perform job duties
  • Complete other tasks as needed

Job Requirements

• • Coal Operators holds a safety sensitive position in which he/she must maintain alertness and concentration while at work. Safety sensitive tasks may include:
  • Constantly working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines.
  • Frequently climbing on/off locomotives inside and outside the shop in all weather conditions.
  • Operating and moving a locomotive engine (some of these movements may fall under the Hours-of-Service act).
  • Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries.
  • Wear protective equipment such as hard hat, hearing protection, or safety-toe boots.
  • Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations.
  • Must pass all required assessments.
  • Must pass a background screening.
  • Must pass a post-offer medical examination, including a drug test.
  • This position is governed by a union position and membership is required.
  • Must be qualified to obtain a Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC).

Additional Information

Skills/Abilities

• • Understand oral and written communication
  • Problem solving and troubleshooting skills
  • Time Management
  • Soft computer skills
  • Mechanical aptitude

Minimum Qualifications

• • High school diploma or GED
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Training

Training

Operators will undergo 1 week of Mechanical Safety Orientation during their first week of employment at McDonough, GA. Norfolk Southern will pay reimburse travel and pay for lodging as required per union agreement.

Compensation & Benefits

Rate of Pay

• • First 244 Working Days: $29.07
  • Next 244 Working Days: $31.07
  • After 2 Years/Full Rate of Ray: $38.77

Benefits

• • Company Benefits – Eligible 1st day of second month after hire
  • 80/20 plan for employee, spouse, and eligible dependents
  • Union Benefits
  • Medical (Managed or 85/15 Plan)
  • $20K Life Insurance
  • 401 (K) First Day of Employment
  • After 1st year of service: Eligible for Dental / Vision

Work Conditions

Working hours will include shift work over all 3 shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Shifts are assigned/awarded by seniority. The work environment is a shop and outdoor work.

Company Overview

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visitingwww.NorfolkSouthern.com.

Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.