Amtrak is hiring Passenger Conductor Trainees at its New York Penn Station (NYP) crew base. This is a union position with competitive hourly pay, Railroad Retirement benefits, and rail pass privileges. Trainees work on and around the Northeast Corridor supporting train operations, customer service, and yard duties. If you’re ready for a physically active, on-call career on the rails, this posting is open now.
As a Passenger Conductor Trainee you move with the journey — your workplace is the train, the platform, and the rail yard. You’ll support safe operations, deliver customer service, and work in all weather conditions. Key duties include:
- Support train movements, enforce operating and safety rules, and carry out pre-determined service plans under the Conductor’s direction
- Assist passengers during boarding and detraining; respond to emergencies and enforce safety procedures
- Perform yard operations: connect and disconnect rail cars, operate track switches, handle heavy air hoses and electrical cables, and assemble trains in the correct order
- Organize and sort checked baggage on long-distance trains by final destination for accurate transfer on arrival
- Deliver customer service: make onboard announcements, provide connection information, manage passenger conduct, and handle service disruptions calmly and professionally
- Collect and verify fares and revenue documentation per established tariffs
- Prepare operational reports covering delays, incidents, passenger impacts, and mechanical issues
- Maintain knowledge of air brake rules, electrical instructions, emergency procedures, and equipment troubleshooting
- Represent Amtrak with professional appearance, complying with uniform and grooming standards at all times
On-Corridor vs. Off-Corridor: New York NYP trainees are typically assigned to the Northeast Corridor (NEC) — the high-frequency rail line connecting Washington DC, NYC, and Boston. On-corridor duties include hands-on yard work: assembling trains, operating track switches, working around diesel locomotives, and occasionally performing tasks under rail equipment. Off-corridor assignments support long-distance and regional routes at facilities outside the NEC.
This is an extra board position — there is no fixed schedule and no shift swap capability. Flexibility is required. Key conditions:
- Shifts may exceed 18 hours or span multiple days
- Must be available for nights, weekends, holidays, and extended periods away from home
- Assignments typically communicated approximately 3 hours before the shift; must report to the station no later than 40 minutes before departure
- Travel requirements: Up to 100%
- Work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions
- Physical demands include standing for extended periods, climbing on/off equipment, bending, walking on uneven surfaces, and lifting up to 50 lbs
All new hires attend a 7–8 week paid training program in Wilmington, Delaware. Full attendance is required. Candidates who live outside the Northeast Corridor should expect extended time away from home during this period.
Phase 1 — Classroom Instruction
Safety protocols, customer service techniques, operational procedures, air brake rules, and electrical instructions.
Phase 2 — On-the-Job Training
Hands-on fieldwork at your assigned crew base alongside experienced conductors, applying classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Minimum Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- 2 years of full-time verifiable work experience and/or college coursework (combination accepted)
- Demonstrated responsibility, initiative, and leadership characteristics
- Satisfactory attendance history in previous employment
- Must live within a 2-hour commute of the New York crew base
- Ability to lift 50 lbs; must meet FRA standards for vision, color vision, and hearing (49 CFR 242)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading or supporting others in a work or team setting
- Customer service experience involving cash handling
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to varying work schedules
- Basic mechanical experience or familiarity with equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
Driver License Note
A driver’s license is not required. However, applicants who hold a license must clear a motor vehicle record review after a conditional offer, per DOT regulations.
All positions require pre-employment screening including:
- Background check — prior employment verification and criminal history check
- Drug screening — administered per DOT regulations. Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified regardless of state law
- Prior drug/alcohol test records — Amtrak is required to obtain these under 49 CFR § 40.25 for safety-sensitive positions. Refusal to consent disqualifies the applicant
- Security screening — required under Title 6 U.S.C. §1143 for providers of public transportation
Starting pay is $24.38/hr, with increases provided per the applicable collective bargaining agreement. This is a union position — membership is required. Benefits include:
- Health, dental & vision insurance
- Wellness programs
- Medical plan opt-out credit
- No-cost personal health advocate
- 401(k) plan
- Railroad Retirement Benefits
- Life insurance
- No-cost financial advisor session
- Rail pass privileges
- Employee assistance program
- Commuter & flexible spending accounts
- Fertility & family building benefits
Some benefits are subject to the collective bargaining agreement.
Req ID 90292954 · New York, NY · Apply on Amtrak Careers
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