Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference
Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all on the same team. One Watco.
Here's what you can expect from Watco:
• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Overtime and weekend work required as needed
Pay: $25.00 – $27.00 per hour, depending on experience
Benefits Note: This position is not eligible for Railroad Retirement (RRB) benefits
Watco is hiring a Rail Switching Crew Leader to oversee a 3-person switch crew at our Sauget, IL marine and rail terminal. Prior railcar switching or railroad experience is required. This is a working leadership role — you will actively participate in switching operations while directing crew members and upholding all safety and operational standards.
Job Summary
A Crew Leader oversees day-to-day field operations by guiding work teams to ensure tasks are completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company standards. This role provides hands-on leadership in operational activities, supports team member training and development, and helps maintain compliance with safety and environmental requirements. The Crew Leader also assists in resolving operational issues and promotes a well-organized, productive work environment across all assigned areas.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Assist leadership in supervising and directing teams to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant daily operations across assigned work areas
• Support loading, unloading, switching, spotting, and transfer activities while ensuring accuracy of required documentation and records
• Enforce company safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements for all team members, contractors, drivers, and visitors on site
• Support a safety-first culture and ensure all team members properly utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) Operate equipment as needed to support operations
• Support training efforts by coordinating, delivering, and reinforcing operational and safety procedures for team members
• Troubleshoot operational issues and assist in resolving equipment, process, and workflow challenges in the field
• Promote and maintain a clean, organized, and environmentally compliant work environment across all assigned areas
• Participate in safety meetings and actively identify, report, and help correct safety and environmental hazards
• Communicate and collaborate with management regarding operational performance, team member development, and safety improvements
• Ensure all required documentation, logs, and reporting are completed accurately and in a timely manner
• Perform additional duties across operations as trained or assigned
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be able to pass and/or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position and location. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant operational or field experience
• Understanding of basic workplace safety practices, PPE requirements, and ability to follow and enforce safety procedures consistently
• Ability to guide small teams, give clear instructions, and communicate effectively with peers and supervisors in a field environment
• Knowledgeable of industrial, terminal operations, port, and or rail operations with the ability to learn and support loading, unloading, transfer, or similar workflow activities
• Ability to identify operational issues in the field and assist in resolving basic equipment, process, or workflow challenges
• Willingness to work in changing conditions, learn multiple operational tasks, and consistently support team and production needs
• Valid Driver’s license
• TWIC, (Transportation Worker Identification Card) current or the ability to obtain and maintain one