Regulator Operator
Northern Plains Railroad & Rail Services
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Posted on May 1, 2026
Company: Northern Plains Services, Inc.
Business Unit: Complete Track Works
Department: Construction
Travel: 80%+
Schedule: 7:00am – 4:30pm with additional hours as required.
Summary:
The Regulator Operator position is to perform the work that the machine is designed for, such as, shaping, distributing, shouldering, and sweeping ballast which supports the ties of railroad track. Operates a variety of equipment within the organization to move, load, or unload various ballast & railroad materials and install equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities are, but are not limited to:
- Operate regulator to perform the work that machine is designed for, such as, shaping, distributing, shouldering, and sweeping the track ballast that supports the railroad track ties.
- Installs equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures.
- Operate regulator with attachments to clear debris from tracks, remove snow, improve stormwater drainage, and brush cut.
- Operates On-track equipment to rehabilitate, construct, or install railroad track.
- Operates Construction equipment to move, load, or unload material.
- Operates equipment in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with governing regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Coordinates machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
- Manage the distribution of ballast, whether by roto dump, front end loader, or by using rail car.
- Ability to run regulator or direct regulator operator to establish work requirements and meet precise job specifications.
- Must be able to trouble shoot and/or diagnose machine problems to ensure steady production in the field.
- Perform maintenance and make repairs on machine and related equipment as necessary.
- Perform minor mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic repairs in the field and/or the shop.
- Order parts on their own and communicate with the mechanic.
- Must be able to work alone in remote locations independently and with minimum supervision.
- Communicate any safety or mechanical issues to supervisor.
- Inspect and recognize any deviation from FRA track safety standards part 213.
- Responsible for the safe completion and inspection of assigned task.
- Meet job production objectives safely, and within budget, with respect to detail and quality.
- Must fill out, maintain, and produce accurate and up-to-date production reports.
- Assist in the restoration, renewal, maintenance, and new construction of track structures as needed.
- Works with Truck drivers loads and offloads equipment as it arrives and exits project site.
- Takes action to avoid potential hazards and obstructions, such as utilities, other equipment, other workers, structural objects, and through traffic.
- Perform manual labor consisting of crouching, bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and lifting while working at ground level.
- Other Duties as assigned.
- Will perform work on Northern Plains Railroad as directed.
Competencies:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Ability to operate and maintain various types of Ballast Regulators.
- Track record of successful project management.
- Successful management of surfacing projects.
- Experience using hand tools, power tools and hydraulic equipment.
- Knowledge of and ability to adhere to safety requirements and procedures.
- Ability to work on their own in remote locations independently.
- Willingness to wear the proper and required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as hard hat, steel toed boots, eye and hearing protection and face shields and other PPE required for specific tasks.
- Basic internet and computer or other handheld device skills needed for payroll reports, equipment reports, safety and equipment reports, and email correspondence.
- A valid Commercial Driver’s License and a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Driving Record.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the physical demands listed below:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform on uneven or slippery surfaces, platforms, ladders, equipment in all weather and temperature conditions. Most of the day could be spent on feet standing. Eye/hand coordination, hand/feet dexterity and grasping hand tools, materials & equipment is required. The employee is frequently required to perform manual labor & physical activities that require considerable use of the whole body, such as standing and lifting from various levels.
- Additional physical demands are listed in the chart below.
- May require travel to various facilities and provide additional services (80+%).
Environmental:
- Continuous: Exposed to noise.
- Frequent: Exposure to smoke, dust, fumes, odors, grease, oil, works outdoors in hot and cold temperatures and in all extreme weather conditions, works outside, vibration, works with moving machinery and mechanical parts, works at heights.
- Occasional: Exposure to electrical hazards, works in cramped quarters, works inside, chemicals, stand on concrete, shift work, walks on uneven or slippery surface, wet conditions, works with others & alone, paperwork.
- Rare: Works with toxic materials.
Education and Training:
- GED or High School Diploma.
- 3+ Years’ experience operating a Regulator or heavy construction equipment.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Valid Drivers License required.
- Must have or be able to obtain a valid DOT (Department of Transportation) Medical Certificate (Med Card).
- CDL Preferred
- Must have and maintain an insurable driving status which includes but is not limited to NPRS driver provisions.
Requirements of Joining Our Team:
Our comprehensive pre-employment process ensures the well-being and integrity of our team. To join our organization, candidates are required to:
1. Pass a mandatory drug test to maintain a drug-free workplace. Random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing may also be required throughout employment.
2. Undergo a thorough physical examination to ensure the requirements of the position can be met.
3. Provide professional references to validate qualifications and character.
4. Complete a comprehensive background check to confirm suitability for the position.
We value transparency and the safety of our employees and customers, and these steps are essential in upholding our commitment to excellence.
LIFT 2 - Physical Demands Checklist
* Never (N) = Not at all * Rarely (R) = 1-5% * Occasionally (O) = 6-33% * Frequently (F) = 34-66% * Continuously (C) = 67-100%
TASKS | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Sitting |
|
| X |
|
|
|
|
Standing |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Walking Distance: 600 ft |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Bending/Stooping: 2 min |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Sitting while twisting & reaching above shoulder level |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Crawling 10 ft |
| X |
|
|
|
|
|
Squatting: 10 reps |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Climbing Stairs: YMCA Step Test |
|
| X |
|
| X | NOT Pass or Fail |
Climbing Ladder: 30 rungs |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Balancing CTSIB-M test |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Reaching- Forward |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Reaching- Overhead arm’s length |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Reaching Low Level |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Static Push/Pull: Static push force 50# at shoulder level |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Push/Pull: 90# force at waist level, simulate throw a switch |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Shoveling |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Grip Strength min. 50# |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Gross & Fine coordination |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Lift / Carry |
|
|
|
|
|
| Floor to Waist & Bilateral Carry |
<10# |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
11-24 # |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
25-34 # |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
35-50 # |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Lift 50 # Waist to Crown |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working around moving machinery, parts & equipment |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Working outside & in extreme weather conditions |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
TASKS continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Exposure to heat /humidity |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Exposure to cold |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Using power equipment |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Slippery surfaces |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Noise |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Works with others, alone, paperwork |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Dust, Smoke, Odors, Fumes, Grease, Oil |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Hearing |
|
|
|
| X | X | Hearing acuity-MEC/Medical Examiner's Certificate DOT vs FRA-DOT vs OSHA |
Speech |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Vision |
|
|
|
| X | X | Vision acuity-MEC/Medical Examiner's Certificate DOT vs FRA-DOT vs Standard |
Standard Vision |
|
|
|
| X | X | Standard Vision-Snellen/Ishihara/Perimetry |
Works at heights |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Electrical hazards |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Uneven surfaces |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Inhalation Exposure |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Cramped quarters |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Hazardous Material |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Chemical Exposure |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Vibration |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position. There may be unplanned activities and other duties assigned. This Job Description may change at any time declared by Management.
NPRS is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected under local, state, or federal statute, ordinance, or regulation. NPRS is a tradename used by Northern Plains Railroad, Inc. (NPR), Northern Plains Services, Inc. (NPS), and All Rail, Inc. (All Rail).
