Transit and Railroad Police

Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $44K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $54K
Median Salary: $72K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $83K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $99K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Prepare reports documenting investigation activities and results.

Monitor transit areas and conduct security checks to protect railroad properties, patrons, and employees.

Apprehend or remove trespassers or thieves from railroad property or coordinate with law enforcement agencies in apprehensions and removals.

Direct security activities at derailments, fires, floods, or strikes involving railroad property.

Investigate or direct investigations of freight theft, suspicious damage or loss of passengers' valuables, or other crimes on railroad property.

Patrol railroad yards, cars, stations, or other facilities to protect company property or shipments and to maintain order.

Examine credentials of unauthorized persons attempting to enter secured areas.

Enforce traffic laws regarding the transit system and reprimand individuals who violate them.

Provide training to the public or law enforcement personnel in railroad safety or security.

Direct or coordinate the daily activities or training of security staff.

Record and verify seal numbers from boxcars containing frequently pilfered items, such as cigarettes or liquor, to detect tampering.

Interview neighbors, associates, or former employers of job applicants to verify personal references or to obtain work history data.

Seal empty boxcars by twisting nails in door hasps, using nail twisters.

Plan or implement special safety or preventive programs, such as fire or accident prevention.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
National Crime Information Center NCIC database
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Graphics or photo imaging software
SmugMug Flickr
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Map creation software
MapInfo StreetPro
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Web platform development software
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Two way radios
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Mobile data computers
Emergency and field medical services products
Automated external defibrillators AED
Fire protection
Multipurpose fire extinguishers
Hand tools
Pepper spray
Law enforcement
Metal handcuffs
Light weapons and ammunition
Police rifles
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Nuclear hazard detectors
Motor vehicles
Police bicycles
Personal safety and protection
Filter masks
Photographic or filming or video equipment
35 millimeter cameras
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Public Safety and Security
98%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Law and Government
95%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

English Language
88%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service
83%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Transportation
74%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Education and Training
71%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Geography
71%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Psychology
71%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Administration and Management
70%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Computers and Electronics
70%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
80%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking
80%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking
78%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving
75%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Monitoring
68%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Social Perceptiveness
68%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Active Learning
65%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Coordination
65%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Judgment and Decision Making
65%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Writing
65%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Top 10 Abilities
Problem Sensitivity
83%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Inductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Speech Clarity
78%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Deductive Reasoning
75%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Far Vision
75%
Importance

The ability to see details at a distance.

Near Vision
75%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Written Expression
75%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Speech Recognition
73%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Top 10 Work Activities
Documenting/Recording Information
93%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
93%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
91%
Importance

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
90%
Importance

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Processing Information
89%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
88%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
88%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Performing General Physical Activities
88%
Importance

Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Getting Information
84%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
84%
Importance

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Detailed Work Activities

Prepare investigation or incident reports.

Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.

Apprehend criminal suspects.

Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to respond to incidents.

Direct security operations.

Patrol properties to maintain safety.

Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.

Direct law enforcement activities.

Examine personal documentation to ensure that it is valid.

Enforce rules or regulations.

Provide safety training.

Develop fire safety or prevention programs or plans.

Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.

Direct employee training programs.

Record information about suspicious objects.

Interview people to obtain information about actions or status of individuals.

Block physical access to restricted areas.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Education
Majors
Major
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Interests
Realistic
96%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Enterprising
67%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional
62%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Investigative
39%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Social
29%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Artistic
15%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Top 10 Work Styles
Integrity
97%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Self Control
97%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Stress Tolerance
97%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Dependability
96%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Leadership
92%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Initiative
88%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Adaptability/Flexibility
87%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Attention to Detail
87%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Cooperation
86%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Concern for Others
84%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Work Values
Independence
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Relationships
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Support
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Working Conditions
69%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Achievement
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
48%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.