Railway and Marine Traffic Controllers
(NOC 2275)
in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information TechnologyRailway traffic controllers coordinate passenger and freight train traffic on railways. They work for rail transport companies. Marine traffic regulators monitor and regulate coastal and inland marine traffic within assigned waterways. They are employed by port, harbour, canal, and lock authorities and by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
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Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Railway Traffic Controllers and Marine Traffic Regulators most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 73% of Railway Traffic Controllers and Marine Traffic Regulators who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $98,295. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$70,363
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
Hourly Pay
$18.00
Minimum$37.80
Median$48.46
MaximumAnnual Pay
$13,568
Minimum$60,422
Median$107,009
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Railway traffic controllers coordinate passenger and freight train traffic on railways. They work for rail transport companies. Marine traffic regulators monitor and regulate coastal and inland marine traffic within assigned waterways. They are employed by port, harbour, canal, and lock authorities and by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Job duties
Railway traffic controllers:
- Use and monitor centralized traffic control systems to coordinate and follow railway traffic.
- Chart train movements, calculate arrival and departure times, and record rail traffic information.
- Issue instructions to control the movement of passenger and freight train traffic and on-track mobile maintenance equipment.
- Receive, record, and relay train instructions to train crew by hand or radio telephone.
- May supervise and train other railway traffic controllers.
Marine traffic regulators:
- Direct and monitor vessel movements using radar or closed-circuit monitors, remote radio systems and other telecommunication equipment.
- Get position, course, speed and estimated arrival time of vessels and monitor vessel progress through traffic zone.
- Issue clearance instructions to vessels, advise vessels of traffic volumes and weather conditions, and relay information to next marine traffic control sector.
- Report accidents, distress signals, navigational hazards, and other emergencies to authorities.
- Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent marine control sectors and with vessels within area of jurisdiction.
- Maintain log of vessel movements, size, and structure.
Sample job titles
- centralized traffic control (CTC) operator - railway traffic
- centralized traffic controller - railway traffic
- chief rail traffic controller
- chief train dispatcher
- marine traffic controller
- rail traffic controller
- train dispatcher
- train operator
Skills
You need a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to perform under pressure. Attention to detail is important. You must be alert and articulate, and have excellent communication skills.
Job requirements
- Railway traffic controllers usually require completion of high school and several years of experience in the railway industry.
- Up to 35 weeks of a combination of classroom and on-the-job training is provided for railway traffic controllers.
- Railway traffic controllers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.
- Marine traffic regulators require completion of high school and several months of formal traffic regulator training.
Other considerations
There is little movement between traffic controlling jobs in the railway and marine sectors. With experience, railway traffic controllers may progress to supervisory positions in rail transport operations.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Southern
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Public administration
Construction
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
35-44
15-24
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
High school
N/ACollege Diploma
N/ABachelor
N/ACompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
College Diploma
$59,986 median annual incomeBachelor
$63,965 median annual incomeHigh school
$45,835 median annual incomeMaster
$65,105 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$57,773 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult High School Siploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramThe Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.