Transit and railroad police protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.

  • Prepare reports documenting investigation activities and results.
  • Monitor transit areas and conduct security checks to protect railroad properties, patrons, and employees.
  • Apprehend or remove trespassers or thieves from railroad property or coordinate with law enforcement agencies in apprehensions and removals.
  • Direct security activities at derailments, fires, floods, or strikes involving railroad property.
  • Patrol railroad yards, cars, stations, or other facilities to protect company property or shipments and to maintain order.
  • Investigate or direct investigations of freight theft, suspicious damage or loss of passengers' valuables, or other crimes on railroad property.
  • Examine credentials of unauthorized persons attempting to enter secured areas.
  • Enforce traffic laws regarding the transit system and reprimand individuals who violate them.
  • Provide training to the public or law enforcement personnel in railroad safety or security.
  • Plan or implement special safety or preventive programs, such as fire or accident prevention.
  • Direct or coordinate the daily activities or training of security staff.
  • Record and verify seal numbers from boxcars containing frequently pilfered items, such as cigarettes or liquor, to detect tampering.
  • Interview neighbors, associates, or former employers of job applicants to verify personal references or to obtain work history data.
  • Seal empty boxcars by twisting nails in door hasps, using nail twisters.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 97% responded "Every day".
  • In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — 96% responded "Every day".
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 75% responded "Every day".
  • Deal With External Customers — 85% responded "Extremely important".
  • Contact With Others — 71% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Responsible for Others' Health and Safety — 61% responded "Very high responsibility".
  • Telephone — 65% responded "Every day".
  • Read More
Work Activities
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Read More
Detailed Work Activities
  • Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.
  • Enforce rules or regulations.
  • Provide safety training.
  • Patrol properties to maintain safety.
  • Examine personal documentation to ensure that it is valid.
  • Apprehend criminal suspects.
  • Read More

Knowledge

Public Safety and Security
  • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Law and Government
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Read More

Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving
  • Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Read More

Abilities

Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity
  • The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Read More

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
Read More

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
Graphics or photo imaging software
  • SmugMug Flickr Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Read More