Job Description
The incumbent receives 40 hours of paid training (classroom training and 120 hours of on-the-job training). The role must remain in the position (Spareboard) for a minimum of 3 months after hire date.This position is a unionized position. As such, pay and benefits are governed by the applicable collective agreement.
Intermodal Equipment Operator
Req Id:
1418
Job Location:
Calgary - AB
Business Unit:
Operations
Highest Level Division:
Intermodal
Posting Start Date:
11/6/26
Posting End Date:
11/10/2026 11:59 PM CST
French/English Bilingual Requirement:
No
Please note that new hires in this role may be paid a lower hourly rate during their qualifying period. In addition, CN employees are also eligible to an employee share investment plan (ESIP), Pension, Benefits and other perks.
At CN, the careers we offer are meaningful because the work that we do matters. Every day, our team of dedicated railroaders power the North American economy from coast-to-coast-to-coast, with an unwavering commitment to safety and service excellence.
If you enjoy hands-on tasks, working outdoors, and have a safety-first mindset, a career in railway operations might be right for you. With fresh challenges, paid training, and a host of great benefits - a career at CN means work that makes a true difference in the lives of people.
Join us today and get your career moving!
Job Summary
The incumbent is responsible for performing the same tasks as a Helper or Attendant Equipment Operator and Heavy Equipment Operator. The incumbent begins employment at CN as a Spareboard employee. The position works on-call and receives a minimum of 2 hours' notice before the shift as the incumbent does not have a pre-set schedule for the week.
Main Responsibilities
- Perform basic hand and horn signals to guide the Heavy Equipment Operators
- Lift, carry, place and remove inter-box connectors (IBCs)
- Drive pickups, hitch trucks, and yard tractors
- Perform various tasks to ensure the proper setup of guides on the rail cars
- Setup rail cars and assist Heavy Equipment Operators in loading and unloading containers and empty chassis and trailers to and from rail cars
- Shunt inbound and outbound loads to and from railcars
- Lift rail car hitches
- Load reefers from carters
- Connect and disconnect gensets (portable fossil-fuel powered generators)
- Place, remove, and lock and unlock train connectors
- Ensure proper container and trailer placement on rail cars
- Drive pickup and hitch trucks
- Operate yard tractors, forklifts, and small cranes
- Complete paperwork associated with the loading and unloading of railcars and trailers
- Operate heavy equipment, including mobile cranes (primarily 'reach stackers') that lift containers to and from railcars and truck chassis
Working Conditions
- Available to work shifts, weekends, holidays, nights and occasional overtime when necessary
- Available on-call 24/7, 24 hours a day with a minimum of 2 hours' notice
- Partially performed outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions
- Regular exposure to dust, pollen, noise and vibrations
- Physical: lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 70 pounds occasionally
- Climb and balance, grip handholds while working at heights of 4-8 feet (1-2 meters) off the ground
- Bend, stoop, squat, kneel, and perform overhead work
- Respirator use is required for certain tasks, with periodic audiometric testing and respirator fit testing conducted as needed
Experience
- Relevant experience working in a similar environment
Education/Certification/Designation
- High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
- Valid driver's licence
- Lift-truck operator certification
Competencies
- We Care About Each Other
- We Strive for Excellence
- We Succeed Together
- We Lead Responsibly
Technical Skills/Knowledge
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Ability to work autonomously, adapt to different situations and manage stress
- Demonstrate good teamwork and maintain positive interactions with others
- Good verbal, reading comprehension, and writing skills
- Be dedicated to meeting established standards of quality, safety, productivity and client satisfaction
- Hand-eye coordination
- Proficiency with shovels, rods and pry bars, sledgehammers, jackhammers, wrenches, hand and power drills, hand tools and technical instruments (meters)
- Ability to use heavy equipment such as a backhoe, trencher, and directional barring machine
- Proficiency in the operation of lift trucks, up to 21,000 pounds (10,000 kg) capacity
- Vocational and technical training or knowledge of Rail Operating Rules
Additional Information (If Any)
The incumbent receives 40 hours of paid training (classroom training and 120 hours of on-the-job training). The role must remain in the position (Spareboard) for a minimum of 3 months after hire date.This position is a unionized position. As such, pay and benefits are governed by the applicable collective agreement.
About CN
CN is a premium railroad that sustainably generates value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to safety and service. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. CN's network connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through an 18,800-mile rail network. CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN powers the North American economy and is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
At CN, we are dedicated to building North America's safest, most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates often don't apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. To all potential applicants, even if you don't meet every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please get in touch with our team at cnrecruitment@cn.ca.
As an equal opportunity employer, qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.
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