Assistant Trainmaster
CPKCCPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad, connects the United States, Canada and Mexico. They’re hiring for an on-site Assistant Trainmaster based in Fort Steele, British Columbia. If you like shaping how traffic moves, coordinating complex yard and road plans, and putting safety first, this could be the right fit. The company emphasises training, development, and clear opportunities for advancement, all within a culture that values diversity and accountability.
This is a hands-on leadership role that keeps communities connected and goods flowing. You’ll be part of a team that moves people and cargo across a broad network, and you’ll benefit from a strong focus on safety, performance, and career growth. It’s a fit for someone who enjoys practical problem-solving, cross-functional teamwork, and steady, on-site leadership.
Based in Fort Steele, you’ll operate on-site with regular interaction across yard, terminal and road operations. If you’re ready to step into a role that blends supervision with occasional hands-on work and training, you’ll find this opportunity meaningful and concrete.
Minding the yard and mainline rhythm
In this job you’ll supervise train movements within the yard and along the mainline by directing personnel and keeping lines of communication open across departments to ensure compliance with the Local Service Operating Plan and the Operating Plan. You’ll help standardize how the operating plan is executed, from arrivals and classifications to building, inspecting and dispatching trains, so processes run consistently. You’ll also own the performance aspects of safety, service, productivity and the financial metrics that drive the business, and you’ll be looked to as a safety leader by engaging staff in rule compliance and preventative actions.
Along with planning and supervising, there is room to operate trains from time to time, provided you keep your certifications up to date, such as Canadian Rail Operating Rules for Canada or GCOR for the U.S., and you’ll maintain the necessary licenses as required by the industry. You’ll also help with crew transportation to and from trains, contributing to smooth day-to-day operations and reliable service delivery.
What you need to join the team
This section separates the essential qualifications from the nice-to-haves. Here are the must-haves, reworded to reflect the role itself:
- A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma
- A valid driver’s license
- A valid passport with unrestricted travel to the U.S. and Canada
- Availability to work all shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays, in all weather conditions
- A leadership presence and a clear track record of pursuing career advancement
- Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to identify root causes and resolve complex issues
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and work situations
- Excellent communication skills, able to give clear instructions and directions over radio
- The ability to read and understand safety instructions, operating rules, regulations, and other written material in English
- Proficiency with MS Office applications, including Outlook, Word and Excel
Nice-to-haves include experience in railway operations as a conductor or locomotive engineer, which would be an asset in this role.
Compensation, benefits and practical details
The company offers a flexible and competitive benefits package, a pension and/or retirement plans, an employee share purchase plan, a performance incentive program, an annual fitness subsidy and a part-time studies program. This full-time, non-union position is based on-site in Fort Steele, British Columbia, with travel estimated at 10-20%.
Pre-employment qualifications include a medical and drug screen because this is a safety-critical role. A comprehensive pre-employment medical assessment, including physical, vision and hearing checks, and a negative drug test, is required. Post-hire drug testing may also be required. A background check is part of the process, covering criminal history, education verification, professional references, driver’s license verification and driving history, and passport verification. The location may change based on organizational needs, and there is a Management Conductor Program designed to help qualified employees become conductors or locomotive engineers.
CPKC is committed to inclusion and equal opportunity. U.S. applicants will find an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer presence, while Canadian applicants are welcomed with employment equity and inclusion practices. Accommodations for the application process can be provided upon request, and all applicant information is managed in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
Req ID: 106674
Department: Operations Pacific Division
Job Type: Full-Time
Position Type: Non-Union
Location: Fort Steele, British Columbia
Country: Canada
% of Travel: 10-20%
# of Positions: 1
Job Grade: 5
Job Available to: Internal & External
Tips from a recruiter to win this role
Lead your resume with evidence of operational leadership in railway settings, especially where you supervised movements, safety and crew communications. If you’ve coordinated yard and mainline activities, call that out up front with a concise, concrete example.
Show you can prove the must-have skills. Describe times you identified a root cause in a complex rail situation and what preventive measures you put in place by engaging staff, and mention any radio communication you used to give clear instructions.
Be ready to explain how you handle shifting priorities and unexpected weather or scheduling changes. Have a short story ready about a time you adapted quickly and kept safety and service levels intact.
Ask about the Management Conductor Program and what the path looks like toward conductor or locomotive engineer certification, since that program is called out as part of becoming a railroader within the company.
Submitting your application
Reference ID 106674 is the key identifier, with the department listed as Operations Pacific Division in Fort Steele, British Columbia, Canada. The role is full-time, non-union, and onsite, with travel expected to be 10-20%. The posting is open to internal and external candidates, and the job grade is 5. If you’re ready to pursue this path, prepare to discuss your rail experience, leadership approach, and readiness to work across yard and mainline operations.