Joshua A Smith
Derby,Kansas
Summary
I have a lot of experience in a great number of fields and crafts. My best attribute would be that no matter what the situation from installing microwave communications assets, to running heavy machinery or being responsible for the safety & safe operations of people, trains, and heavy equipment, I always go into any situation with the same mindset. Even when my experience is lacking I have what it takes to succeed and exceed my and other's expectations with anything that I'm challenged with from work to life. I've always maintained this and it carried me a great distance in my professional and personal life.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Electronic Technician II
BNSF Railway
10.2021 - 02.2024
- Responsible for BNSF Railway telecommunications assets in a wide geographical territory in South/South East Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
- Experience with Cambium / Exalt Communications platforms for BNSF's internal microwave internet backbone. Installing, diagnostic troubleshooting, repair, and preventative maintenance with both sets of equipment and their respective software.
- Experience with BNSF's tag reader platform from Comet, AEI (Automated Equipment Identification). Including installation, maintenance, and diagnostic troubleshooting/repair of Comet APUs, 900mhz radios, Banner Presence Radars, and Frauscher Wheel detectors.
- Experience with the installation, maintenance, repair, and diagnostic troubleshooting of both Icom and Kenwood mobile, dispatcher, and handset radios operating in the narrowband 160mhz Railroad FCC frequencies, including programming, with their respective software and preventative maintenance with test equipment.
- Experience with the Railroads ClassOne dispatcher radio communication system. Including installation, scripting, repair, diagnostic troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance of this system and its equipment.
- Experience with the Railroads PTC network operating on the 220mhz FCC frequency. Including repair, installation, diagnostic troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance with test equipment. Using Xterm to script, update, and troubleshoot all PTC systems, wayside, base station, and Head of Train PTC radios.
- Experience with the Railroads CTC or Centralized Traffic Control Network on the 900mhz band. Including diagnostic troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, and repair of both railroad protocols (ARES & ATCS) with both MCP's or Mobile Control Packages and BCP's or Base Communications Packages. Including WIU's or Wayside Interface Units.
- Experience with BNSF Railway's HLCS or Hy-rail Limits Compliance System operating on the 44mhz frequency band. Including the installation of mobile packages in a wide array of vehicles and also the installation of base station packages at microwave towers.
- Experience with the installation, maintenance, and repair of BNSF HOT/EOT (Head of Train/End of Train) Telemetry and Control Devices operating on 400/900mhz frequency band.
- Experience with a wide array of antenna/coax systems from all telecommunications systems listed previously. Including the installation, repair, and preventative maintenance of all systems. Also, I have knowledge and experience in tower climbing and safety from the railroad and my previous experience as a tower climbing contractor.
- Experience in the installation of antennas on communication towers and general tower climbing & safety.
- Experience with fiber optic installation, repair, and troubleshooting of BNSF's IP network. Including fiber optic fusion or mechanical splicing.
- Experience with BNSF's Digital IP Camera network, including the installation, repair, troubleshooting, and maintenance of assets on my specific territory.
- Experience with the railroads IP network, including Cisco switch programming, testings, and installation. Including ethernet or fiber pulling, installation, and routing at microwave or building sites across the system.
- Experience with BNSF's Data & Network Connectivity
Connections & Operation including wiring installation standards for ethernet, fiber, and coax. Also, in-depth knowledge of IP Traffic, protocols, and systems related to day-to-day railroad operations. - Experience with the operation, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of BNSF's VOIP systems and equipment.
- Experience with the installation and maintenance of DC Plants and Battery systems for Microwave/Depot backup systems. Along with +/- 48v, +24v, and +12v systems, equipment, and devices.
- Experience with a wide array of testing equipment including service monitors, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, network analyzers, and power sensors from FieldFox, Bird, HP, Anritsu, Viavi/Aeroflex, and several other manufacturers. Also, wattmeters from Bird and Telewave. Bird Sitehawk's and FieldFox SA for Coax testing (VSWR & DTF, etc). Fluke multimeters and network testers. Battery testing equipment. Fluke and Anritsu OTDRs for Fiber optic testing. A multitude of other specialize equipment for the various systems that BNSF owns and operates.
- Experience with BNSF's Hazardous Energy Control Program (HECP) which sets forth standards and procedures for controlling hazardous energy on equipment/machinery, including railroad equipment
- Experience with Lock Out Tag Out or LOTO for both equipment and machinery.
- Certified in Soldering & Trained in ESD Prevention Methods with years of practical application and experience.
- Experience with electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic, diagrams, and schematics mostly from machines, vehicles, and microwave communication buildings.
- In-depth knowledge of all major OS environments (PC, mobile, tablet) including MS Windows, Apple OSX, Linux, Android, and MS Office Suites.
- Working knowledge of most Microsoft, Apple, & Google/Android office productivity, editing software products, and general knowledge of Programming, DOS, & Network+, A+, MS remote desktop, and software installations across a multitude of systems and devices.
- Experienced in the building, troubleshooting, and repair/maintenance of desktop computers, laptops, radios, cellular phones, tablets, and electronic devices in general.
- FCC GROL or General Radiotelephone Operator License (PG) November 14th, 2018, Call Sign PG00060334
- FCC Amateur Extra Class Licensee (HA) October 15th, 2018, Call Sign KE0SMG. I also maintain a GMRS license as well for personal use.
- Eight plus years of general electronics experience from my work at BNSF Railway telecom craft, also with my experience at Cessna Aircraft and Electronic Sales & Service combined.
Maintenance of Way FRA Trackman & Machine Operator
BNSF Railway
04.2012 - 10.2021
- From 2018 to 2021 I was the Lead Flagman/Foreman (EIC) for BNSF's Emporia 2MT or double main project on the Emporia Subdivision. In charge of up to 10 BNSF flagmen at a time, including the responsibility for their orientation, training, safety, and day-to-day operations. Including daily contractor briefings of large groups of BNSF employees, gangs, and contractors (100+). My main responsibilities were the safe operations of trains through my corridor on the Emporia Sub including the use of Form B and Track and Time (Through radio or SMC- Smart Mobile Client and GRiT), to maintain safe operations of BNSF Capitol and District mechanized gangs, and also for day-to-day use of contracted heavy machines and cranes interlinked between multiple active segments of operations in a wide geographic area.
- Knowledge and practical application of BNSF Maintenance of Way Safety Rules(MWSR), BNSF Maintenance of Way Operating Rules(MWOR) and the General Code of Operating Rules for all railroads (GCOR), BNSF Engineering Instructions, BNSF Current Standard Plans, BNSF System Special Instructions, BNSF U.S. Hazardous Material Instructions for Rail, and BNSF Timetables & Track Charts.
- Knowledge and practical application of FRA Track Safety Standards Part 213 and FRA Railroad Workplace Safety Part 214.
- Experience with CWR installations, de-stressing, maintenance, rail joint inspections, extreme weather inspections, and record keeping.
- Experience working in extreme weather and applying BNSF safety rules in small and large work environments.
- Experience establishing protection on track and being the EIC of small workgroups including Mini-Mechanized Tie-Gangs and Sections.
- Experience in conducting BNSF gold standard job safety briefings as the EIC (Employee in Charge) of small to large groups.
- Experience in inspecting yard track, excepted track, and out-of-service track then repairing using prescribed BNSF/FRA remedial actions.
- Experience in several derailment operations on the main line and yard track involving RJ Coreman Railroad Group and LG Pike Railway Maintenance.
- Experience in grade crossing, switch, and bridge renewal projects involving on and off-track equipment with multiple railroad crafts involved.
- Section support of manned and unmanned geometry cars, Sperry (HSRD also) or Herzog rail defect detector cars, heavy construction gangs, super surfacing gangs, on/off-track undercutter & TLM gangs.
- Machine Operator on Production Tie Gangs TP03, TP04 in KS, TX, OK, CO, MO, & IA.
- Machine Operator on Production Rail Gangs RP01, RP09, RP21 in KS, TX, OK, CO, MO, & IA.
- Machine Operator on Mini Mechanized Tie Gangs TP37, TP47, TP57, TP44 in KS, CO, OK, MO, & NE.
- Machine Operator on Surfacing Gangs in KS, CO, OK, & MO.
- Production Rail Pickup Train (Southwest Colorado)
- Production Rail Grinder (RG402/RG308 on the TransCon. from Chicago to LA)
- Trackman/Flagman for tie gangs, mini mechs, rail gangs, sections, Herzog tie unloader, constructions gangs, Grex-Aurora tie inspection truck, contractor rail pickup, contractor tie pickup, and roadway construction workers.
- Lone worker for tie marking, weed mowing, and other tasks assigned by Track Supervisors & Roadmasters.
- Assisted welding crews with thermite and flash-butt welds as well as welding rail ends, frogs, and grinding.
- Worked in all major Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas Yards.
- Worked with section crews from all of Kansas, all of Colorado, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas.
- Operated & qualified on over 21 unique on & off-track machines including heavy equipment for multiple gang types, sections, and projects.
- Experience with all BNSF-approved hydraulic power tools, battery-operated tools, and all types of hand tools.
- Experience working with BNSF Signal, TY&E, Telecom, Mechanical, Contractors, Foreign Railroads, and Terminal Associations.
- BNSF Related Training; NSC First Aid and CPR/AED Training Yearly, BNSF Book of Rules Training (BOR), FRA Continuous Welded Rail (FRC), FRA Tier I Initial Qualification (FRA1), FRA Tier II Restore/Renew (FRA), FRA Tier II Inspect Track (FRB), Crane Operator Tier I (CR1), X86 Track Stabilizer Training (STB1), Roadway Work Protection(RWP), Engineering Safety Certification 2018+ (SFTY), Engineering Safety Leadership Training (ESLT), Machine Operators Safety Requirement (M01 & M02), Approaching Others About Safety Training 2018+ (AO), Front Line Supervisor Qualification (FLS), Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC Card), and DOT Driver Training and Courses (DDT/DOT)
Self-Employed
Smith & Sons Construction
06.2001 - 04.2012
- Commercial Subcontracting (w/ Small Businesses)
- Residential Housing (Framing & Complete Construction)
- Room & Garage Additions for Residential Housing
- Decks, Patios, Gazebos, Fences, Roofing, and Flooring
- Electrical & Circuit Breaker Panel Installation and Repair
- Plumbing, Heating & Air Installations and Repair
INSTR. Panel & Wire Bundle Assembly
Cessna Aircraft
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Certified for Soldering and Instrument Panel Assembly
- Assembled Circuit Breaker Panels, Wire Harnesses, and Instrument Panels for Citation Mustang, CJ1+, CJ2+, Citation XLS+, Citation Sovereign, Citation X, & all Caravan 208 Models
- Assemble Power Junction Boxes (JBox) for Citation Mustang, Citation X, all Citation CJ Models, and All Caravan 208 Models.
- Performed on-site & hanger troubleshooting & repairs for all Caravan 208 models. (I was the 208 Specialist for wire harnesses, circuit breaker panels, power junction boxes, and instrument panels during my tenure.)
Contractor
Electronic Sales And Service
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Two-Way Radio Installations (Vehicles, Fleets, and Buildings)
- Tower Climbing Jobs with Ground Crew Support
- Installation of Radio Antennas on Comm. Towers.
- Coaxial Cable Routing from Antenna/Tower to Base Station
- Kit Tower Construction for Rural Internet & Communication (Base, Tower, & Antenna)
Education
High School Diploma -
Wichita High School SouthEast
Wichita, KSCertification
- Jeremy Willingham - BNSF Signal Supervisor (Amarillo, TX) - 806-672-8819
- Nick Landis - BNSF Assistant Roadmaster (Kansas) - 316-393-5644
- Patrick Greenwood, CQM - Jax Engineering, INC Vice President of Construction Services (Texas) - 817-456-7022
- Cole Robinson - BNSF Electronic Tech II (Great Falls, MO) - 316-200-6675
- Rocky West - BNSF Electronic Tech II (Woodward, OK) - 580-579-8541
Timeline
Electronic Technician II
BNSF Railway
10.2021 - 02.2024
Maintenance of Way FRA Trackman & Machine Operator
BNSF Railway
04.2012 - 10.2021
INSTR. Panel & Wire Bundle Assembly
Cessna Aircraft
01.2007 - 01.2009
Contractor
Electronic Sales And Service
01.2003 - 01.2006
Self-Employed
Smith & Sons Construction
06.2001 - 04.2012
High School Diploma -
Wichita High School SouthEast