Go to Workplace Alaska to review current employment opportunities and apply for a career at the Alaska Railroad. The Alaska Railroad Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
ARRC Department Overview
As the Railroad’s largest work group, the Transportation Department has the most varied workforce, from Train Dispatchers to Train Crews (Locomotive Engineers / Conductors / Brakemen) and from Terminal Supervisors to Crew Drivers and other support personnel. Working together, they move passengers and customer goods to destinations across the Alaska Railroad system, always focused on the safe and efficient transport of cargo and passengers to meet our customers' expectations.
The Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Department constructs and maintains hundreds of miles of track infrastructure and right-of-way, bridges and tunnels traveled by the trains every day. Department personnel include heavy equipment operators, track and bridge repair crews who work in some of the most beautiful country in the world.
The Mechanical Department keeps over 50 locomotives and over 1300 passenger and freight cars in serviceable condition. Mechanics operate a locomotive overhaul shop and two facilities for preventive maintenance, repairs and servicing locomotives. Carmen perform preventive maintenance, modifications and heavy repairs to freight and passenger railcars at car shops, in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The Safety Department fosters workplace safety by creating an awareness and performance expectations for safety and health through employee participation, education and leadership, at all levels of the organization.
The Engineering Department's engineers, signal technicians, project managers, and support staff are responsible for the design, construction and oversight of capital improvement projects that expand the vertical and horizontal structures of the Alaska Railroad. Projects range from straightening and extending track, to installing new technology, to replacing bridges and bridge components, to building or renovating railroad facilities. These investments ensure greater operational safety and efficiency, as well as enhance customer services.
The Marketing and Customer Services Department includes freight and passenger marketing activities, advertising rail capabilities, anticipating customer needs and working to exceed customer expectations. On the freight marketing side, experienced professionals promote rail as an excellent option to move cargo and coordinate related logistics. On the Passenger side, Guest Services at the depots including baggage handling, on-site and online gift shops, and reservation and ticketing for rail travel and tours. Once travelers are on the train, the Guest Services team delivers on-board services including dining, customer assistance and route narration.
Technology, which includes Telecommunications, is important to the future of the Railroad, as we embrace an era of technological advancement in all facets of the railroad business. The Network Infrastructure and Business Systems Applications groups provide wide-ranging support for complex automated business and operating systems. The Technology Department works closely with the Advanced Train Control Systems Department as the Alaska Railroad pursues the federal mandate to implement a Positive Train Control system that uses computer-assisted dispatch and GPS monitoring of train locations.
The Finance Department makes sure the company stays on budget and meets its profitability goals by overseeing all financial activities, including budgeting, auditing, regulatory compliance, and financial reporting. The Accounting team is also responsible for paying employees and vendors.
The Finance Department’s Supply Management group oversees purchasing of equipment and materials needed for daily operations and capital projects. Contract specialists and the warehouse team work cooperatively with other departments, ensuring that the right materials and services arrive at the right time, at the right price.
The Human Resources Department is responsible for developing and administering all employment related programs. These include compensation and benefits (health and life insurance, and retirement savings and pension plans), drug and alcohol program management, job classification, and recruitment.
Like many railroads, the ARRC owns land along the right-of-way and in reserves adjacent to communities along the railbelt. Real Estate professionals manage these assets through permits and leases allowing uses that promote economic and business development, and that contribute to community wellbeing. The Facilities group includes mechanics, electricians and plumbers that improve and maintain railroad buildings. The ports of Seward and Whittier have ARRC port management personnel to oversee the docks and real estate in those communities.
The Legal Department is responsible for managing the legal affairs of the corporation, including pursuing or defending against claims by third parties and regulatory agencies, administering the workers’ compensation and liability insurance programs, and meeting civil rights requirements related to federal transit regulations.
The ARRC has its own police and security department, headed by the Chief Special Agent, and including several sworn Special Agents and support staff. Additionally, contract security officers are engaged to conduct routine security patrols and inspections across the system.
FAQs About Employment
All position vacancies are posted at Workplace Alaska (WPA). Applicants must submit a Workplace Alaska application to be considered for any posted vacancy.
Check out Workplace Alaska for current Alaska Railroad career opportunities. Sign up for Job Alerts to receive email notification about current open positions.
We employ people at many locations across the railroad system. Management and professional positions are generally located in Anchorage, Alaska. Non-management opportunities can be found throughout the Alaska Railroad system from Fairbanks to Seward.
If you are unable to apply thru WPA and/or access a WPA Paper Application, then you may contact the Human Resources Department at 907.265.2220 to request a paper application.
A person must be at least 18 years old to be employed at the Alaska Railroad Corporation.
Once you have established your Workplace Alaska Applicant Profile, you can update your information as frequently as you wish by using your personal user name and password.
- Follow the instructions carefully. There are step-by-step guides to help you with the process.
- Fill out the application completely. Workplace Alaska has copy and paste capability for various word processing applications, so if you have a resume in electronic format you can copy text and paste it into the Workplace Alaska application.
- When applying for a specific job, read the recruitment bulletin. In your cover letter, be sure to highlight the skills, knowledge and abilities that are specific to the job for which you are applying. Focus on required qualifications.
It varies. The number of applicants and work schedules of the hiring managers can influence the recruitment process timeframe. You may not hear from us for a few weeks after the job bulletin close date. You will receive email notification, whether you are invited in for an interview or not.
Scroll down to the ‘Employee Benefits Summary’ section to get an overview of ARRC benefit programs for employees.
Those wishing to work in food and beverage service should contact our contract caterer, ESS at 907.344.1207 or email jobs@ess-worldwide.com or visit www.essalaska.com.
The Alaska Railroad provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health, prescription drug, dental, vision and hearing coverage for employees and their dependents. Other benefits include life insurance and AD&D, a defined benefit pension plan, 401(k) plan with an employer match, holidays, employee assistance program, rail travel program, and vacation and sick leave programs.
The Benefit Journal found below describes the Alaska Railroad's benefit programs.
