Occupation Details
Transit and Railroad Police
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
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Interests
Realistic
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
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
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.
Work Values
Relationships
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
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$54,540.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$54,540.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$74,810.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
1,700
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
1,940
+24 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
161
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
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 Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
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.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
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
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Public Safety and Security
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
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
English Language
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
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.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Psychology
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.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- 35 millimeter cameras
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Biohazard suits
- Biological hazard detectors
- Breathalyzers
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR face shields
- Chemical hazard detectors
- Crime scene tape measures
- Digital cameras
- Digital video cameras
- Distance measuring wheels
- Explosive detectors
- Filter masks
- Fingerprint evidence kits
- First aid kits
- Laptop computers
- Metal handcuffs
- Mobile data computers
- Multipurpose fire extinguishers
- Nightsticks
- Nuclear hazard detectors
- Pepper spray
- Personal computers
- Pistols
- Plastic handcuffs
- Police patrol cars
- Police rifles
- Police shotguns
- Protective gloves
- Riot helmets
Technology
- Crime mapping software
- Law enforcement information databases
- MapInfo StreetPro
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
- SmugMug Flickr
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- use firearms
- inspect commercial vehicles
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- prepare reports
- manage detailed records or files in security setting
- oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
- analyze existing evidence or facts
- develop safety regulations
- cooperate with court personnel or other law enforcement agencies
- monitor entrance or exit of persons
- patrol or guard area or premises
- communicate details in protective services settings
- operate vehicles in law enforcement or security setting
- use interviewing procedures
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- follow law enforcement methods or procedures
- use surveillance techniques
- read maps
- gather physical evidence
- interview crime witnesses or victims to obtain descriptive information
- apply appropriate physical restraint
- identify firearms or weapons
- recognize public safety hazards
- conduct legal searches or investigations
- investigate complaints, disturbances, or violations
- enforce laws, ordinances, or regulations
- apprehend or arrest suspect or perpetrator of criminal act
- make decisions
- reach conclusions quickly in law enforcement situations
- authorize entry or exit of individuals
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Patrol railroad yards, cars, stations, or other facilities to protect company property or shipments and to maintain order.
- Investigate or direct investigations of freight theft, suspicious damage or loss of passengers' valuables, or other crimes on railroad property.
- 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.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Police and detectives
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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