Cottrell Smith
Houston,TX
Summary
Dynamic Freight Conductor at Union Pacific with a proven track record in enhancing safety standards and improving on-time delivery rates. Skilled in logbook maintenance and problem-solving, I effectively coordinated train schedules, reduced operational costs, and fostered a collaborative team environment, ensuring compliance with regulations and promoting a culture of reliability.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Freight Conductor
Union Pacific
Denver, CO
11.2021 - Current
- Contributed to an increase in profitability through careful monitoring of fuel consumption levels.
- Regularly reviewed performance metrics, making data-driven decisions that contributed to continuous improvement initiatives within the department.
- Assisted in resolving conflicts between team members when necessary, promoting a harmonious work environment conducive to achieving goals effectively.
- Improved on-time delivery rates by efficiently coordinating train schedules and cargo loading.
- Reduced operational costs with thorough inspections of freight cars, identifying maintenance issues early.
- Enhanced safety standards by enforcing proper procedures and regularly conducting safety drills.
- Ensured compliance with federal regulations by staying up-to-date on industry changes and implementing necessary adjustments.
- Streamlined communication between train crews and dispatchers, resulting in more efficient operations.
- Established clear communication channels among crew members during high-stress situations which ensured smooth operations.
- Identified potential risks during daily operations, taking proactive measures to mitigate hazards and maintain safety standards.
- Developed strong working relationships with team members, fostering a supportive work environment that contributed to increased morale and productivity.
- Collaborated with other departments to optimize operations, leading to improved overall efficiency within the company.
- Communicated with train dispatchers to obtain and adjust directions.
- Communicated through various methods to conduct train movement.
- Performed daily inspections on switches.
- Inspected train in motion and stationary to determine proper functionality.
- Signaled crew members, utilizing hand or flag signals, radio communications and lantern.
- Prepared forms, required reports, switch lists and train orders daily.
- Performed air brake and electrical connection coupling.
- Negotiated and directed train and rail cars movement.
City Mail Carrier
United States Post Office
Houston, TX
02.2010 - 11.2021
- Handled customer inquiries and concerns professionally, directing them to appropriate resources when necessary for further assistance or information.
- Navigated various weather conditions while delivering mail, ensuring consistent reliability for customers regardless of external factors.
- Collaborated with fellow carriers to cover additional routes when needed, supporting team cohesion and effective workload distribution.
- Managed high volumes of incoming and outgoing mail during peak seasons without compromising quality or timeliness of service provided.
- Used portable devices to maintain system records by scanning items delivered to homes and businesses.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with timely and accurate deliveries, adhering to strict schedules and protocols.
- Greeted customers and answered questions regarding mail pick up times, postal regulations, and delivery costs.
- Loaded and secured items in trucks to avoid damage to parcels during delivery.
- Promoted safety standards by maintaining a clean driving record and following proper vehicle maintenance procedures.
- Inspected truck equipment and supplies and reported problems and safety hazards to supervisors following each shift.
- Directly interacted with customers to deliver mail, packages, and ordered goods.
- Streamlined package handling processes by implementing proper organization methods within the postal vehicle for fast retrieval during deliveries.
- Trained new City Mail Carriers on best practices, enhancing overall team knowledge and performance levels.
- Balanced daily cash transactions accurately when collecting postage fees from customers upon delivery of certain items requiring additional payment.
- Facilitated seamless communication between postal service departments for efficient mail sorting and processing.
- Demonstrated adaptability by quickly adjusting to changes in assigned routes or schedules, minimizing disruption to customers'' mail services while accommodating new demands placed on the team.
- Utilized USPS-provided technology devices for tracking deliveries and updating route information, maintaining accurate records of all transactions and actions taken during daily work activities.
- Adhered strictly to USPS policies regarding parcel handling procedures, ensuring safe transportation and preservation of contents at all times during transit.
- Sorted and placed mail into mailboxes and post office boxes with high levels of accuracy.
- Displayed excellent stamina while walking long distances over varied terrain throughout each day''s scheduled route assignments, contributing positively to overall health levels as well as job performance.
Education
High School Diploma - High School Teaching
Spring High School
Spring, TX06.2007
Skills
- Logbook maintenance
- Route planning
- Weather condition adaptation
- Hazardous materials handling
- Security awareness
- Coupling and uncoupling
- Air brake systems
- Yard traffic coordination
- Signal interpretation
- Train assembling
- Track switch control
- Switching operations
- Railroad safety regulations
- Freight car inspection
- Locomotive operation
- Railcar positioning
- Maintaining equipment
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Safety conscious
- Reliability
Certification
FRA Class 6 license & Class 8 license
part 240 & part 242
Timeline
Freight Conductor
Union Pacific
11.2021 - Current
City Mail Carrier
United States Post Office
02.2010 - 11.2021
High School Diploma - High School Teaching
Spring High School