PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90263131 - Washington

Location: Washington, DC, US

PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90263131 - Washington

Date

Oct 21, 2026

Location

Washington, DC, US, 20002

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Company

Amtrak

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

Embark on an exciting career as a Passenger Conductor Trainee, where the open rails become your workplace, and every shift takes you somewhere new. In this fast-paced, hands-on role, you will move with the journey—supporting train operations, ensuring safety, and working as part of a close-knit crew—ideal for adaptable, safety-driven individuals ready to learn on the move and deliver a confident, professional experience for every passenger.

As a Trainee, you will support safe and efficient train operations by performing both customer-facing and physically demanding duties. Responsibilities include assisting passengers, managing service disruptions with calm and professionalism, conducting safety checks, and supporting the Conductor in overseeing onboard operations and on-train staff. Strong communication skills and the ability to think and act independently are essential, as you will interact regularly with crew members, dispatchers, and customers in real time.

Trainees may be assigned to either on‑corridor or off‑corridor locations. On‑corridor assignments are located on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC), the main passenger rail line that connects major cities such as Washington, DC, New York City, and Boston. This is a high‑activity area where passenger trains operate frequently throughout the day. Trainees working on the corridor support daily train operations by performing hands‑on duties in rail yards and near active tracks. These duties include preparing trains for service (putting rail cars together in the correct order), operating track switches that guide trains from one track to another, connecting and disconnecting rail cars, working safely around diesel locomotives, and occasionally performing tasks underneath rail equipment as part of inspections or setup.

Off‑corridor assignments are located outside the Northeast Corridor, typically supporting facilities that serve Amtrak’s long‑distance and regional routes. All trainee positions—on‑corridor and off‑corridor—are physically demanding. The work requires climbing on and off rail equipment, moving between rail cars, bending, reaching, walking on uneven surfaces, riding alongside slow‑moving equipment when required, and lifting or carrying tools and equipment. Trainees must always remain alert to their surroundings and strictly follow safety instructions while working in rail yards, on station platforms, and along railroad right‑of‑way areas. Most work is performed outdoors and may take place in all types of weather conditions.

Safety is always the top priority—you will be expected to follow operating rules, remain vigilant around moving equipment, and make smart decisions in complex, high-risk environments to protect yourself, your team, and passengers.

Equally important is your commitment to customer service, bringing a friendly, calm, and professional approach, especially during high-stress situations, such as service disruptions. If you are adaptable, eager to learn, and ready to thrive in an on-call, fast-paced setting, this is your opportunity to grow in a career built on safety and service. Take the next step, watch the video and see what a day in the life of an Amtrak Conductor is all about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1clZI-RZGc.

At a Glance

This is a union position, and membership is required.

This position requires a high degree of flexibility and resilience, as Trainees work on an extra board with no set schedules or shift swap capability, may be assigned long and variable shifts, including those exceeding 18 hours or spanning multiple days—and must be available to work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended periods away from home.

This position is physically demanding and requires the ability to stand and remain on your feet for extended periods throughout the workday.

Applicants must possess strong analytical skills to troubleshoot equipment and understand and comply with safety regulations and emergency procedures.

The role requires individuals to have clear verbal and written communication, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail to accurately document delays, incidents, passenger impacts, and mechanical issues.

This role requires individuals to possess problem-solving and conflict-management skills to not only arrange contingency solutions during service disruptions, but also ensure orderly, compliant passenger conduct.

Training

New hires must be willing and able to attend a comprehensive training program lasting seven (7) to eight (8) weeks in Wilmington, Delaware. This training requires full attendance and may involve extended time away from home, particularly for candidates who live outside the Northeast Corridor. This program uniquely blends classroo