Signal & Track Switch Repairers
Signal Inspector, Signal Maintainer, Signalman, Train Control Electronic Technician
What they do:
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
On the job, you would:
- Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors.
- Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts.
- Test and repair track circuits.
Knowledge
Engineering and Technology
- mechanical
- product and service development
Transportation
- movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Arts and Humanities
- English language
Safety and Government
- public safety and security
Skills
Basic Skills
- thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Technical
- figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work
- planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment
Abilities
Hand and Finger Use
- keep your arm or hand steady
- hold or move items with your hands
Spatial
- imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed
Visual Understanding
- see hidden patterns
- quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
Controlled Movement
- quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Self Control
- Stress Tolerance
- Integrity
- Initiative
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook
Industrial control software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Education
Education: (rated 3 of 5)
no high school diploma/GED or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed
high school diploma/GED
usually needed
Job Outlook
Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about signal and track switch repairers.