How to hire a signal maintainer

How to hire a signal maintainer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step signal maintainer hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The signal maintainer 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

   A signal maintainer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, signal maintainers 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of signal maintainers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Signal Maintainer	Description	Hourly rate
   Signal Maintainer		$14-46
   Maintainer	A maintainer serves as a time tracker that oversees and monitors the tasks of employees. They are the one who facilitates and reviews all the work, ensuring it is done according to specifications... Show more	$14-39

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Switches
   • Signal Systems
   • Signal Equipment
   • FRA
   • Warning Devices
   • Ac
   • Trouble Calls
   • CDL
   • Hand Tools
   • Traction
   • Switch Machines
   • Electrical Equipment
   • Construction Crews
   • Signal Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Used UNIX base analysis systems to accomplish all tasks.
   • Lead, manage, and mentore the signal gang leadership team.
   • Develop and mentore 3employees to perform COMSEC custodian duties.
   • Maintain and inspect railroad crossings and signals, crossing programming, stay FRA compliant
   • Map out routines and used onboard GPS configure laptop computer to trace signals.
   • Carry out all kinds of electrical repair, HVAC, carpentry, painting and janitorial duties.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your signal maintainer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A signal maintainer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, signal maintainers' average salary in florida is 43% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level signal maintainers earn 69% less than senior-level signal maintainers.
   • Certifications. A signal maintainer 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 a signal maintainer's salary.

   Average signal maintainer salary

   $54,117yearly

   $26.02 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level signal maintainer salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a signal maintainer job description

   A signal maintainer 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 signal maintainer job description:

   Signal maintainer job description example

   Regional travel may be required. Assist in the installation, repairing, testing and maintenance of various railroad signals and grade crossing protection equipment. Employees must be able to meet and comply with the manufacturer's weight limitation safety rating and recommendations for any equipment associated with performing their duties, including the 300 lb. safety rating for ladders (both portable and affixed) and fall arrest equipment.
   Primary Activities and Responsibilities
   
   * Be able to safely perform all job responsibilities
   * Perform work on signal equipment including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems
   * Install signal/communication structures and component
   * Lubricate moving parts on mechanical equipment such as switch machines, car retarders and controllers
   * Use the risk management process to isolate potentially dangerous situations
   * Prepare and paint signal equipment
   * Inspect, test, repair and maintain communication/signal and electrical equipment
   * Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
   * Drive and operate medium to heavy duty vehicles daily.
   * Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by manager
   * Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by manager
   
   Pay Rate
   
   Minimum entry rate of $29.40/hour. *Pay rates are progressive upon completion of all required apprentice training. Pay rates vary by location.
   
   Training
   
   Initially, you will attend training in Atlanta, GA., and two (2) additional training sessions that will be scheduled approximately 130 days apart. CSX will pay for travel, lodging and meals as required by collective bargaining agreement. Once training has been completed this position will advance to Signal Maintainer. Signal Maintainer rate of pay is $35.84/hr
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   
   * High School Diploma/GED
   * You must currently possess a CDL or obtain one within 90 days of your start date
   * 21 years of age or older
   * Valid Driver's License
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   
   * One or more years of outside work experience (e.g. construction, heavy equipment operator, farming, etc.)
   * One year experience using Volt / Ohm meters
   * One year experience interpreting circuit schematics or diagrams
   * One year work experience in electronics, electrical, or electromechanical field
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   * Heavy work, lifting up to 60 pounds occasionally and up to 85 pounds on a rare basis
   * Stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb
   * Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity/tracking/inspection
   * Climb ladders and poles up to 40 feet to make repairs, tests and installations
   * Work outside in all weather conditions and occasionally on uneven terrain
   * Must meet color vision and hearing requirements as described in FRA Regulations
   
   Basic Competencies
   
   * Verbal comprehension (Understand oral and written communications)
   * Communication skills (provide clear instructions/directions)
   * Reasoning skills (problem solving and troubleshooting skills)
   * Basic Math
   
   Job Requirements
   
   * Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries
   * Wear protective equipment such as hard hat, hearing protection, or safety-toe boots
   * Work hours may include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shift work
   * Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations
   * The applicant selected may be required to successfully complete a background check
   * Must pass all required assessments
   * Must pass a background screening
   * This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and membership is req.
   * Extensive travel required
   * Must pass a post-offer medical examination, including a drug test

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right signal maintainer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your signal maintainer job on Zippia to find and recruit signal maintainer 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 signal maintainers, 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 signal maintainer

   Once you've decided on a perfect signal maintainer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new signal maintainer. 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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