How to hire an assistant chief train dispatcher

How to hire an assistant chief train dispatcher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step assistant chief train dispatcher hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an assistant chief train dispatcher job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant chief train dispatcher
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The assistant chief train dispatcher hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An assistant chief train dispatcher's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, assistant chief train dispatchers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of assistant chief train dispatchers.

   Type of Assistant Chief Train Dispatcher	Description	Hourly rate
   Assistant Chief Train Dispatcher		$12-38
   Dispatch Coordinator	A dispatch coordinator is primarily in charge of dispatching and tracking vehicles that provide different services. The extent of their duties varies upon their industry or institution of employment... Show more	$14-22
   Dispatch Technician	A dispatch technician specializes in providing technical support to clients, particularly when it comes to network services. They primarily gather client information, identify their needs, sort out emergency and non-emergency calls, help clients troubleshoot issues, process requests, coordinating field technician services when necessary, and provide step-by-step instructions to solve problems... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Rules
   • Fire Protection
   • Emergency Situations
   • EMS
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Training Programs
   • Firefighting
   • FRA
   • Training Materials

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop training content for eLearning and instructor lead classrooms by evaluating Predix user experiences.
   • Direct inbound and outbound logistics operations, such as transportation and warehouse activities, safety performance, and logistics quality management.
   • Transition into dispatch and begin posting and dispatching emergency and non-emergency transport ambulances.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your assistant chief train dispatcher job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An assistant chief train dispatcher salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, assistant chief train dispatchers' average salary in montana is 41% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level assistant chief train dispatchers earn 69% less than senior-level assistant chief train dispatchers.
   • Certifications. An assistant chief train dispatcher with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an assistant chief train dispatcher's salary.

   Average assistant chief train dispatcher salary

   $45,759yearly

   $22.00 hourly rate

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   Entry-level assistant chief train dispatcher salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 29, 2025

4. Writing an assistant chief train dispatcher job description

   A good assistant chief train dispatcher job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an assistant chief train dispatcher job description:

   Assistant chief train dispatcher job description example

   * Department: Operations Southern Division
   * Job Type: Full-Time
   * Position Type: Non-Union
   * Location: Bensenville, Illinois
   * Country: United States
   * % of Travel: 40-50%
   * # of Positions: 2
   * Job Available to: Internal & External
   * Deadline to apply: 10/31/2022
   
   Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. For more on our purpose, culture, and strategy, visit cpr.ca/en/about-cp.
   
   PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
   
   Ensures the safe and tactical execution of the Operating Plan through active supervision of operating (train) crews, Yardmasters, support staff, and Assistant Trainmasters. Accountable for inputs and outputs of safety, service, productivity, financial metrics and adherence to corporate values, which includes compliance with regulatory environment. Provide leadership accountability for inputs and outputs of safety, service, productivity and financial metrics.
   
   POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:
   
   * Accountable for the safe, on time operations of all trains and contribute to the overall execution of the Operating Plan;
   * Conduct efficiency and proficiency tests, train rides and safety related activities to support a safe, efficient operation;
   * Accountable to investigate safety rules and policy failures, respond and act on safety, health and environmental related incidents, identify cause, implement or recommend corrective actions or action plans;
   * Participate and assist with safety and business plan roll-outs across the region;
   * Identify and act on opportunities to increase yard/road fluidity and productivity;
   * Create and manage a strong team of employees including determination of optimal numbers, recruitment and development;
   * Ensure compliance to CP's policies and collective agreements and recommend changes;
   * Ensure the delivery of optimal results against appropriate performance and financial metrics through maximum asset utilization;
   * Accountable for holding investigations (accident or discipline) in accordance with labor agreements, policies, etc;
   * Accountable for inventory management for terminals and line of road in their areas of responsibility;
   * Accountable for rail cars idle 24 hours or longer for any reason;
   * Accountable for full understanding of business requirements, service commitments and any service penalty conditions for customers in their geographic area.
   
   POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
   
   * Must have high school diploma or GED;
   * Must have previous railway experience;
   * Qualified Locomotive Engineer is preferred;
   * Effective/working knowledge of railway operations, terminal/road operations;
   * Knowledge of systems (Nexus, TYES, CMA, CAM's, AIR, ERRAP, Quads, FTO, CP Station reports);
   * Knowledge of and ability to conduct investigations;
   * Analyze, understand and resolve local issues related to interpreting variances to operating protocols;
   * Rules qualified - GCOR, familiarity with ABTH;
   * Must maintain current certifications and licenses (i.e. Engineer Cert.);
   * Willing to be available as required on a 7x24 basis;
   * Ability to understand and work with collective agreements and other applicable regulations;
   * Ability to drill down, understand root cause and resolve complex issues;
   
   * Must have a valid driver's license.
   
   WHAT CP HAS TO OFFER:
   
   * Flexible and competitive benefits package
   * Completive company pension plan
   * Employee Share Purchase Plan
   * Performance Incentive Program
   * Annual Fitness Subsidy
   
   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
   
   As an employer with national presence, the possibility does exist that the location of your position may be changed based on organizational requirements.
   
   Management Conductor Program:
   
   Becoming a qualified conductor or locomotive engineer is the single best way for a management employee to learn the business at CP. You may be required to obtain a certification or to maintain your current certification/qualification as a conductor or locomotive engineer.
   
   CP is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right assistant chief train dispatcher for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with assistant chief train dispatchers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit assistant chief train dispatchers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your assistant chief train dispatcher job on Zippia to find and recruit assistant chief train dispatcher candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit assistant chief train dispatchers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant chief train dispatcher

   Once you've found the assistant chief train dispatcher candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new assistant chief train dispatcher. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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