Surface Foreman
Northern Plains Railroad & Rail Services
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Posted on May 19, 2026
Now Hiring: Surface Foreman
Summary
The Surface Foreman is responsible for managing and directing a crew of workers to deliver a successful project by meeting or exceeding corporate or project goals for safety, quality, profitability, and schedule, resulting in extreme customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and manage day-to-day project operations, ensuring proper allocation of labor, equipment, materials, and tools for safe and timely execution.
- Lead crew performance by enforcing safety standards, monitoring productivity, and ensuring compliance with company policies and project goals.
- Conduct daily safety briefings, communicate production goals, identify hazards, and foster team feedback and engagement.
- Maintain documentation (production reports, equipment logs, inspections, and change orders) and communicate with customers to ensure satisfaction.
Requirements
- GED (or equivalent) with at least 1+ year of railroad or construction experience.
- Valid driver’s license with insurable status. Ability to obtain a Class A CDL, preferred.
- Ability to travel extensively (90%+).
- Ability to work in physically demanding outdoor environments in all weather conditions; DOT medical card/CDL preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong leadership and team management skills with a focus on safety, quality, and performance.
- Ability to read and interpret project documents such as plans, schedules, and specifications.
- Expertise in operating and training others on track surfacing and alignment equipment.
- Strong communication, customer relations, and organizational skills; Microsoft Office proficiency or ability to learn.
Interested? Please see full job description below.
Company: Northern Plains Railroad, Inc.
Business Unit: Complete Track Works
Department: Construction
Travel: 90 % or more outside region.
Schedule: M-F 07:00-15:30 with OT, Occasional weekends, additional hours as necessary.
Summary:
The Surface Foreman is responsible for managing and directing a crew of workers to deliver a successful project by meeting or exceeding corporate or project goals for safety, quality, profitability, and schedule, resulting in extreme customer satisfaction.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities are, but are not limited to:
- Pre-plans projects and work activities with Regional Manager or Project Manager to develop the best means and methods as it relates to standard and safety action plans.
- Plans the day-to-day operations on assigned project and ensures that proper resources are in place for the timely and safe completion of work, including labor, tools, equipment, and materials.
- Takes responsibility for crew performance as it relates to quality, department goals, work performance audits, and company policies and procedures.
- Conducts daily job briefings with crew to review the production goals, performance feedback as relates to efficiency, identify potential hazards, and welcome feedback from the workers.
- Always maintains a dedication to safety and quality being the example, educating & training the workers, and enforcing safe work practices designated by the company or customer.
- Communicate with customers and ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.
- Produces daily production reports, tracks project time, keeps equipment logs, keeps inspection reports, administers change orders, and keeps updated project files.
- Will perform work on Northern Plains Railroad as directed.
Competencies:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Ability to read and understand project specific documents including schedules, standard plans, and specs.
- Must have skills required to operate and train those needed to operate all pieces of equipment associated with track surfacing and alignment.
- Knowledge of Federal Railroad Administration Part 213 track standards. Specifically, Part 213 Subpart C, as required for track surface and alignment.
- Thorough knowledge of the potential occupational hazards and safety precautions of work being performed.
- Able to inspect and recognize any deviation from track safety standard and can diagnose, prescribe and perform the procedures correctly.
- Must have the comprehensive skills necessary to understand and transfer detailed written & oral instruction.
- Strong client relation skills & strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office is a bonus or possesses the skills to learn.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to meet 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, and equipment in all weather and temperature conditions. Most of the day could be spent standing on foot. 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 locations (90+% or more outside region)
Environmental:
- Continuous: Must be able to work outdoors in all extreme weather conditions. Work outdoors at project sites in harsh weather conditions including very hot and very cold weather. Must wear appropriate safety equipment such as safety glasses, hard hats, safety footwear, and hearing protection as required. Exposure to dust. Uneven surfaces. Must wear appropriate safety equipment such as safety glasses, hard hats, safety footwear, and hearing protection as required by the company.
- Frequent: Noise
- Occasional: Vibration works at heights.
- Must be able to work in all types of weather, including very hot and very cold weather.
- Exposed to live track/trains/moving equipment.
- Exposed to loud noises.
Education and Training
- GED or higher.
- 1 Year or more working in Railroad or Construction
- Must have and maintain an insurable driving status which includes but is not limited to NPR driver provisions/
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability to obtain a DOT medical card & CDL preferred.
- Class A non-tractor trailer CDL preferred
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 |
|
TASKS continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
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 & extreme weather conditions |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
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 |
TASKS continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
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).
