How to hire a signalman

How to hire a signalman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step signalman hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a signalman, 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

   Hiring the perfect signalman also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents signalman salaries for various positions.

   Type of Signalman	Description	Hourly rate
   Signalman		$11-51
   Military	The military is responsible for maintaining peace and order within society. Militaries conduct patrolling operations, including reporting suspicious activities in designated areas, assisting in traffic enforcement, securing public events, and attending military defense training... Show more	$11-51

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Switches
   • FRA
   • Grade Crossings
   • Visual Communications
   • DIG
   • Trouble Calls
   • Boom Truck
   • Federal Safety Rules
   • Electrical Equipment
   • Pole Lines
   • AC
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • CPR

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage life threatening psychiatric emergencies and refer military and families to in-patient and out-patient network providers and provide supportive EAP counseling.
   • Drive cdl boom truck, bucket truck, and regular pickup truck with trailer to job sites.
   • Operate backhoes and trenchers for laying cable.
   • Rig ship's gangway, booms, and fueling and cargo stations.
   • Operate cranes, backhoes and trenchers to install cable and wayside devices.
   • Dig in cable, set signal houses, set signals and test as needed.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, signalmen' average salary in oregon is 50% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level signalmen earn 78% less than senior-level signalmen.
   • Certifications. A signalman 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 signalman's salary.

   Average signalman salary

   $51,593yearly

   $24.80 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level signalman salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a signalman job description

   A good signalman 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 a signalman job description:

   Signalman job description example

   The Railroad systems maintainer position will be based out of the RioTech office in Lewisville, Texas. The systems maintainer will have the role of providing responsive, compliant signal maintenance in the Lewisville area. This includes but is not limited to: FRA governed grade crossing inspection/maintenance, mainline switch inspection/maintenance, electric lock inspection/maintenance and E-ATC (PTC) enabled wayside signal system inspection/maintenance. This position reports directly to the Signal Maintenance Supervisor in Lewisville.
   Responsibilities:
   Properly inspect and test grade crossing circuitry, using standard electrical and/or electronic testing equipment.
   Properly inspect, test, and maintain batteries to insure the proper operation of grade crossing and wayside signal equipment.
   Properly test and adjust M-23 dual control mainline switch machines.
   Properly test and adjust electric locks & associated circuitry.
   Properly test and adjust wayside signal system which includes an active E-ATC (PTC) system.
   Document work activities and inspections in accordance with railroad, state transportation department and FRA requirements.
   Receive trouble calls from dispatcher and mobilize to trouble location.
   
   Work Environment:
   Typical workdays are Monday thru Friday but must be available for emergencies.
   Must be able to work nights, weekends, and holidays as RioTech is a 24/7/365 work environment.
   There will be on-call situations involved with this position.
   
   Required Qualifications:
   High School Diploma or GED Certificate required.
   Valid Texas Class C driver's license required; this must be maintained throughout employment.
   At least 2 years of previous signal maintenance experience.
   Completion of signal apprentice training preferred.
   Excellent communication skills.
   Detail-oriented individual with excellent problem solving and time management skills.
   Ability to stay on a task and meet important deadlines.
   Outgoing, self-motivated team player.
   Physical requirements:
   Pass pre-employment DOT physical, medical evaluation and drug screen.
   Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity.
   Ability to occasionally exert strong force (50 - 150 pounds) and to move comfortably, including stooping, bending, kneeling, or occasionally climbing a ladder.
   Ability to lift
   Ability to walk extended distances over uneven terrain.
   Requires working outdoors in all climate conditions.
   Complete and maintain all required safety certifications and testing on an annual basis.
   Required Background Investigation
   
   Job Type: Full-time
   
   Pay: $65,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
   
   Benefits:
   * Dental insurance
   * Flexible schedule
   * Health insurance
   * Paid time off
   * Vision insurance
   Schedule:
   * 8 hour shift
   Supplemental pay types:
   * Bonus pay
   
   Ability to commute/relocate:
   * Lewisville, TX 75057: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
   
   Work Location: One location

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right signalman 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 signalmen they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit signalmen 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 signalman job on Zippia to find and recruit signalman candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit signalmen, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   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 signalman

   Once you have selected a candidate for the signalman 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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