Track Worker

Performs various duties in the inspection, maintenance, repair, and construction of railroad track, also including signaling and flagging activities associated with track construction and maintenance work.

Qualifications

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs various duties in the installation, maintenance and removal of track ties, rails, fasteners, ballast, turnouts and other track components.
• Inspects track, including ties, rail, fasteners and switches for safety defects.
• Loads and unloads work train material.
• Removes snow and ice from track, switches, walkways and other locations as required.
• Removes debris from track, switches, subway and rail yards.
• Assists in maneuvering equipment, vehicular traffic and other tools required for track repair and track construction.
• Operates rail borne track maintenance equipment as required.
• Performs flagging duties as required.
• Performs other duties associated with track maintenance and construction as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Title

CHALLENGES

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Required to submit to and pass drug and alcohol testing as mandated by the Federal Transportation Administration for safety sensitive positions.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must pass the CTA math class.
• Must pass the CTA Third Rail Safety Training
• Must pass the CTA flagging qualification class in order to properly set up work site slow zones and to flag trains through a work site.
• Must pass the 30/90/120 Day Trackman reviews during probationary period
• Must pass the CTA training class for Track Inspector.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Required to perform extensive lifting, carrying, and maneuvering of materials and track tools weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Must be able to perform extensive digging and spiking of track ties.
• Must be able to walk on elevated open deck track and foot walk at heights up to 60 feet above the ground.
• Must be able to accurately swing a spike maul and sledgehammer.
• Bending, stooping, reaching, crawling, crouching, climbing, pushing, pulling and coordination to perform track repairs.
• Climbs up and down ladders and stairs.
• Walks up to six miles per day inspecting track on various track structures, including elevated open deck and uneven ground.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Must be knowledgeable of safety rules in order to perform work without injury.
• Must be proficient in the use of devices required for measuring track.
• Required to have knowledge of track construction and maintenance.
• Must have high school level math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, especially of fractions.
• Must be proficient in the use of all types of hand- and power-operated tools used by track crews.
• Must have the ability to communicate with other employees to assure safety while performing work.
• Must be able to work as part of team and follow directions.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Works outdoors subject to prevailing weather, including extreme heat/cold, wind, rain and snow.
• Works various days, hours and locations. Subject to 24-hour emergency call out.
• Works in conditions subjected to noise, vibration, dust, exhaust fumes and various odors.
• Works on open deck elevated structures (up to 60 feet high), ground level track structures and in cool, damp subways.
• Works immediately adjacent to electrically energized rail (600-volt) and associated power distribution apparatuses.
• Works on in-service track immediately adjacent to moving trains and vehicular traffic at street level.
• Works with power-operated, moving equipment.
• Exposed to chemical hazards from creosote on ties.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Large hand tools including sledge hammers, spike mauls, pinch bars, claw bars, shovels, track wrenches, track jacks, tie tongs and rail tongs.
• Small hand tools including screw drivers, wrenches and hammers.
• Measuring devices including rulers, tape measures, gages, thermometers, string lines and compasses.
• Impact tools included drills, socket drivers, and tamping guns.
• Power-operated tools including rail saws, rail drills, chainsaws, impact guns, generators, hydraulic power packs, air compressors and man lifts.
• Cutting and burning devices including oxygen and acetylene torch and propane torch.
• Small electronic devices including handheld digital assistants and tablet PCs.
• Creosoted wood tie, plastic tie, concrete tie, steel rail, steel joint bars, steel tie plates, steel track spikes, steel screw spikes, steel track bolts and grease.

Additional Details

Employees and/or union members will be given priority consideration in the hiring process, per the applicable labor contracts.

Rate to be determined by applicant's entered service date and service date in union jurisdiction of this classification.

CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our workforce and supporting the communities we serve. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected] prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided.

TO BE CONSIDERED APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN THEIR ENTIRETY INCLUDING:

• UPLOADED RESUME / WORK HISTORY
• QUALIFICATIONS
• JOB ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

INFORMATION PROVIDED MUST BE ACCURATE AND TRUTHFUL.

Failure to respond to correspondences during the hiring process in a timely fashion may result in your application being closed out for non-responsiveness.

CTA Benefits

Primary Location : USA-Illinois-Chicago

Job : Track Maintenance

Job Posting : Jul 2, 2026, 1:14:49 PM

Position Type : Full-time Temporary (FTT)