Signal and Track Switch Repairers

Career Description: Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.

Industry: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Other Job Titles for Signal and Track Switch Repairers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• 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.
• Provide customers with cost estimates for equipment installation.
• Prepare documents such as invoices and warranties.
• Order replacement parts.
• Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions and orders from stock.
• Fabricate and assemble structural and functional components of refrigeration system, using hand tools, power tools, and welding equipment.
• Lift and align components into position, using hoist or block and tackle.
• Drill holes and install mounting brackets and hangers into floor and walls of building.
• Insulate shells and cabinets of systems.
• Cut out sections around cracks on percussion instruments to prevent cracks from advancing, using shears or grinding wheels.
• Refinish and polish piano cabinets or cases to prepare them for sale.
• Solder or weld frames of mallet instruments and metal drum parts.
• Remove drumheads by removing tension rods with drum keys and cutting tools.
• Assemble bars onto percussion instruments.
• Remove irregularities from tuning pins, strings, and hammers of pianos, using wood blocks or filing tools.
• Travel to locations such as churches and concert halls to work on pipe-organs.
• Repair breaks in percussion instruments such as drums and cymbals, using drill presses, power saws, glue, clamps, grinding wheels, or other hand tools.
• Clean, sand, and paint parts of percussion instruments to maintain their condition.
• Replace xylophone bars and wheels.
• Strike wood, fiberglass, or metal bars of instruments, and use tuned blocks, stroboscopes, or electronic tuners to evaluate tones made by instruments.
• Place rim hoops back onto drum shells to allow new drumheads to dry and become taut.
• Assemble and install new pipe organs and pianos in buildings.
• Cut new drumheads from animal skins, using scissors, and soak drumheads in water to make them pliable.
• Stretch drumheads over rim hoops and tuck them around and under the hoops, using hand tucking tools.
• Remove material from bars of percussion instruments to obtain specified tones, using bandsaws, sanding machines, machine grinders, or hand files and scrapers.
• Adjust lips, reeds, or toe holes of organ pipes to regulate airflow and loudness of sound, using hand tools.
• File metal reeds until their pitches correspond with standard tuning bar pitches.

Emerging Tasks

• Test and repair track circuits.
• Explain proper operation of vehicle systems to customers.
• Inspect, repair, or replace brake systems.
• Weld, repair, and fabricate various equipment and machinery.
• Unlock cars and other vehicles.
• Order bicycle parts.
• Sell bicycles and accessories.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing 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.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• apply cleaning solvents
• clean equipment or machinery
• de-energize high tension power lines for repairs
• distinguish colors
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• install electrical fixtures or components
• install lead-in wires to control boxes and other components
• install or replace meters, regulators, or related measuring or control devices
• install/connect electrical equipment to power circuit
• install/string electrical or electronic cable or wiring
• lubricate machinery, equipment, or parts
• move or fit heavy objects
• operate pneumatic test equipment
• perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
• prepare reports
• read blueprints
• read schematics
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• repair or adjust measuring or control devices
• repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
• service batteries or transformers with specified fluids
• solder electrical or electronic connections or components
• splice electric cable
• test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
• test electronic or electrical circuit connections
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use high voltage apparatus
• use measuring devices in repairing industrial or heavy equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use precision tools in electronics repair
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• operate pneumatic test equipment
• order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
• overhaul industrial or construction machinery or equipment
• position, align, or level machines, equipment, or structures
• pressure test piping system or equipment for leaks
• read blueprints
• read schematics
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• repair or adjust measuring or control devices
• repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
• repair or replace gas, steam, sewer, or water piping or fixtures
• repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
• repair refrigeration or HVAC equipment
• replace electronic components
• schedule activities, classes, or events
• solder electrical or electronic connections or components
• solder metal parts or components together
• test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
• test electronic or electrical circuit connections
• test mechanical products or equipment
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use acetylene welding/cutting torch
• use arc welding equipment
• use basic carpentry techniques
• use basic plumbing techniques
• use braze-welding equipment
• use combination welding procedures
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use electronic calibration devices
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use knowledge of metric system
• use knowledge of ventilation systems
• use knowledge of welding filler rod types
• use pipe fitting equipment
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision tools in electronics repair
• use pressure gauges
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• use control or regulating devices to adjust or maintain industrial machinery
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use high voltage apparatus
• use knowledge of metric system
• use knowledge of ventilation systems
• use knowledge of welding filler rod types
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use measuring devices in repairing industrial or heavy equipment
• use pipe fitting equipment
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision tools in electronics repair
• use pressure gauges
• use soldering equipment
• use tube bending equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Overall Experience
Previous 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 Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$24.58
• Average annual wage (2007) - $51,120.00

• Employment (2006): 7,165

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