Traditionally, railroad clerks worked in railroad stations, freight houses, yards, terminals, and company offices. However, most local railroad companies have merged, and information and data processing systems are now computerized and centralized at the railroad's main office. With new computer technologies, clerks turn out the steady stream of information and reports that are needed to keep the business of railroading running smoothly.
Clerks may collect bills, investigate complaints, adjust claims, trace shipments, compile statistics, sell tickets, and keep books. Most clerks work at the central offices, and a few work at small offices at railroad stops selling tickets. Thousands of railroad clerks work in "specialized," or technical, positions. Some of the clerks in this group prepare statistics on employment, traffic, and other matters. This information is required by the federal government.
Other clerks specialize as dispatchers. Dispatchers telephone orders to the conductors regarding the train's route, timetable, and cargo. They also send additional information regarding track conditions. For example, if a tree limb falls on a railroad track, a message is called in to the central headquarters, and then the dispatcher sends a message to the conductors on all the trains running on that track to stop or slow down. The dispatchers also communicate information to the conductors and engineers by flashing colored lights on the sides of the railroads.
Another group of clerical employees includes secretaries, stenographers, typists, and operators of calculating, bookkeeping, and other office machines. They perform the same duties this type of worker performs in other industries.
Some clerks hold supervisory positions, such as chief clerks and station masters. They supervise the work of other railroad clerks and assume responsibility for the clerical activities of departments. They also may be asked to deal with difficult railroad business problems.
Education and Training
You must be a high school graduate to get a job as a clerk in a railroad company. For some jobs, such as accounting, you need specialized skills that you can learn in college or business school. Many railroad companies require you to take a clerical test. These companies hire those who do well on the test. Not all companies give this test, however.
Railroads prefer people who have worked with computers. Clerical and math skills are also helpful in getting a job. In most cases railroad clerks receive their training on the job. Many clerks begin on the "extra board." They are asked to work when regular workers are sick or on vacation. By filling in, they learn their duties before they take on regular jobs. Those who have been hired for certain jobs, however, often begin work in regular, full time positions.
Getting the Job
You can apply directly to railroad companies. The Association of American Rail roads provides a list of company addresses on request. The labor union can help you complete your application and find a job. The help wanted ads in newspapers sometimes list clerical openings.
You can also become a railroad clerk by starting at a lower level job and working your way up. Workers hired as office messengers often move up to clerical posts.
Employment Outlook
Railroad clerks can advance to higher paying clerical jobs with more responsibility such as dispatcher. Others may go on to even higher administrative jobs such as chief clerk and stationmaster. Railroad clerks also have a chance to be come ticket, station, or traffic agents. In certain cases further schooling and training can lead to jobs as auditors and statisticians.
The employment outlook for railroad clerks is poor. There will be little or no job growth because railroad companies have become computerized and centralized. Openings do occur as clerks retire or leave their jobs for better positions.
Working Conditions
Railroad clerks generally work 40 hours a week. Each workday is 8 hours long, although clerks may begin work at different hours. Ticket sellers, for example, often have evening or night duty. Clerks who are on the extra list also work ire regular hours.
Typists and clerks do accounting work in an office setting, whereas clerks who check freight orders work outdoors. Ticket sellers have to deal mostly with rail passengers. Freight clerks, on the other hand, must deal with valuable goods and see that they are protected. Office conditions may vary from station to station. Most railroad clerks work in large central offices and busy stations such as Grand Central Station in New York City. A few work in small quiet stations selling tickets.
New clerks are closely watched. Experienced workers are given more independence. Clerical work for the railroads, as for other companies, requires a great amount of detail work. Although this work is important to the railroad business, it is often repetitive.
Earnings and Benefits
Earnings vary, depending on the kind of clerical work done. Currently, clerks such as office machine operators and secretaries average about $20,000 a year. Those who work in specialized positions earn about $30,800 a year. Salaries are lower for beginning workers. Clerks earn time and a half for overtime work.
Benefits grow with length of service. Paid yearly vacations increase from 1 week after 1 year of service to 3 weeks after 15 years. Most railroad clerks receive 7 paid holidays a year. Pensions and unemployment compensation are an important part of railroad workers' benefits. Clerks with more than 10 years of service receive pensions when they retire. Railroad clerks also get medical and hospital coverage for themselves and their families.
