How to hire a rail car repairer

How to hire a rail car repairer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step rail car repairer hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a rail car repairer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A rail car repairer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, rail car repairers 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.

   Here's a comparison of rail car repairer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Rail Car Repairer	Description	Hourly rate
   Rail Car Repairer	Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, rail transportation, and other industries.	$15-50
   Carman	A carman repairs and restores different kinds of vehicles. Although their responsibilities vary upon their company of employment, it usually entails inspecting vehicles for any damages, fixing or replacing components, attaching different parts, and doing minor paint jobs... Show more	$11-45
   Repairer	The job of a repairer is general maintenance of machinery, general repairs, and routine fixing. They have a very wide range of jobs depending on the organization or workplace... Show more	$20-29

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Torches

   Responsibilities:

   • Ensure that work center technical publications and safety bulletins are up-to-date at all times and adhere to AAR standards.
   • Change out turnbuckles and couplers.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your rail car repairer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A rail car repairer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, rail car repairers' average salary in hawaii is 41% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level rail car repairers 69% less than senior-level rail car repairers.
   • Certifications. A rail car repairer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a rail car repairer's salary.

   Average rail car repairer salary

   $58,335yearly

   $28.05 hourly rate

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   Entry-level rail car repairer salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a rail car repairer job description

   A rail car repairer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a rail car repairer job description:

   Rail car repairer job description example

   ADM Milling This is a full-time, hourly level position.
   **Responsibilities** :
   
   · Must be able to perform repairs and maintenance on railcars entering the shop and surrounding ADM facilities.
   
   Requirements: · Ability to pass entry-level Welding and Torch Cutting test
   
   · Safety oriented attitude
   
   · Ability to work well within a team environment and maintain a positive, professional, and respectful attitude
   
   · Must have good attendance record and the ability to follow directions
   
   · Good communication skills required
   
   Relocation assistance is not available with this position.
   
   This position offers a complete benefit package, including 401K/ESOP, pension, health, life, vision, and dental insurance.
   
   ADM requires the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen/medical questionnaire and a background check.
   
   ADM is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability and veteran status.
   
   **City:**
   
   Cedar Rapids
   
   **State:**
   
   IA - Iowa
   
   **Ref ID:**
   
   \#LI-DNI
   
   **EEO:**
   
   ADM is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability and veterans status.
   
   **About ADM::**
   
   ADM unlocks the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. We're a premier global human and animal nutrition company, delivering solutions today with an eye to the future. We're blazing new trails in health and well-being as our scientists develop groundbreaking products to support healthier living. We're a cutting-edge innovator leading the way to a new future of plant-based consumer and industrial solutions to replace petroleum-based products. We're an unmatched agricultural supply chain manager and processor, providing food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. And we're a leader in sustainability, scaling across entire value chains to help decarbonize our industry and safeguard our planet. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional and sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow. Learn more at www.adm.com.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right rail car repairer 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 rail car repairers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit rail car repairers 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 rail car repairer job on Zippia to find and recruit rail car repairer 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 rail car repairers, 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 rail car repairer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the rail car repairer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new rail car repairer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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