Railroad Operations Intern

US Sugar Railroad Internship

Position:                       Summer 2024 Railroad Intern 

Supervisor:                  Railroad Manager          

Department:                Railroad Operations                  

FLSA:                           Non-Exempt

Hourly Rate:                 TBD 

Position Overview

United States Sugar Corporation is seeking Full Time Interns. These are full time Railroad Operations/Maintenance Leadership Internships. These positions will assume the duties of a Railroad Operations Supervisor while learning our railroad practices and assisting the Railroad management team with daily activities such as directing employee railroad activities, technical railroad activities such as managing schedules, planned work, locomotive maintenance, various projects and continuous improvement initiatives, etc. These positions will offer competitive compensation and free rooming. Must be a highly motivated and energetic current or future student who enjoys a challenge and is seeking experience in production agriculture. Successful internships will end with a high probability of a competitive job offer upon the completion of your degree.

Job Responsibilities 

• Assisting the Railroad management team in the day-to-day operations and transportation responsibilities 
• Assist in budgetary, performance, and quality goals for all work to be performed in conformance with good railroad practice and applicable state & federal requirements, in a timely and cost- effective manner 
• Learns and becomes proficient in different locations, company operating system software and other necessary computer programs
• Maintains high standard professionalism in outlook and communication with fellow employees and customers
• Works effectively in a team environment with changing priorities and time pressures 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Reliable, dependable and can be relied upon to bring projects through to completion
• Maintains a clean and professional office and work area environment
• Ability to follow proper safety and housekeeping procedures pertaining to the area
• Ability to work anywhere within the company and in variable/extreme weather conditions as well as outdoor/indoor environments
• Ability to work the posted schedule with shift work and overtime as necessary
• This position may be required to work weekends, holidays, and overtime
• Ability to work with others and or alone with minimum supervision
• Ability to follow instructions and communicate information pertaining to the job
• New hires must pass a drug test and other pre-employment background screening and successfully complete any required training
• Ability to read, speak and write English
• Must have a valid driver’s license 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent verbal, presentation, and written communications skills, including group settings and in public meetings.
• Proficient in the entire Microsoft Office suite and in data management.
• Undergrad or Graduate students enrolled in a related program such as Construction Project Management, Logistics Planning, Civil Engineering, Agriculture Operations Management, Agricultural Economics, or Business Management.
• Understanding of OSHA and/or FRA requirements and compliance.

Physical Requirements:

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to handle and/or move various objects, tools and/or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, talk, hear and see. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

Physical requirements also include the following but are not limited to: 

• Ability to freely access all areas of the railroad operations including offices, railcars, locomotive shops, elevators, etc. 
• Ability to operate and use all equipment necessary to run all of the railroad operations equipment and common office equipment. 
• Ability to move or handle various items throughout the operational areas generally weighing between 0-65 pounds. Ability to lift and carry up to 65 pounds. 
• Ability to work varied hours and days to oversee railroad operations. 
• Will be expected to work outside in all kinds of weather. 

Working Conditions 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in outside weather conditions on a regular basis and in an office setting. Working conditions may be rainy, hot, humid, dusty, etc. depending on the weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Employee is also required to drive a vehicle for extended time periods.

To apply for this position, send:

- Resume

- Cover Letter

To: Isabel Perez (iperez@ussugar.com) 

The above declarations are not intended to be an “all-inclusive” list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job.  Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job, and a reasonable representation of its activities.

U.S. Sugar is a Florida farming company and market leader involved in sustainable growing and processing of sugarcane, citrus and sweet corn. Southern Gardens Citrus and South Central Florida Express railroad are part of the family and compliment sugarcane operations. Since its founding in 1931, the company’s success has been rooted in traditional farming values coupled with innovation and technology. A focus on hard work, integrity, high quality and continuous improvement makes us one of America’s premier, privately held agribusinesses with the largest farming operations east of the Mississippi. Each year, our local farmers feed American families by providing:

• Nearly 10% of all sugar produced in America
• Up to 90 million gallons of premium, Florida, not-from-concentrate orange juice
• Nearly 50% of Florida’s sweet corn crop

U.S. Sugar is a recognized innovator in sugarcane farming. Lasers, satellites, a world-class private Wi-Fi network and data analytics are some of our precision agricultural and farm management tools. They help us achieve the optimum balance of high crop yields and quality food production while conserving our natural resources and protecting the land we farm. Our integrated sugarcane processing facilities are among the worlds most efficient and technologically advanced. 

Nearly 2500 farmers, factory and transportation workers, engineers, scientists, technical staff and management call our company home. Employees and charitable foundations have an ownership stake. Our diverse team depends on 245,000 acres of rich, productive farmland on the southern shores of Lake Okeechobee. This drives our deep commitment to good stewardship of the land in the Everglades Agricultural Area and inspires our efforts to protect our natural resources, abundant wildlife habitat and promote a sustainable and healthy environment.

For more information, feel free to explore our company website https://www.ussugar.com/