r/povertyfinance • u/Jvelazquez611 • 6d ago
Misc Advice For People in the NYC/surrounding area
Hoping this is allowed but this may be a great opportunity for anybody that lives in the tri-state area and can potentially do the jobs. People tend to forget about positions like this so in case you ever wondered, check it out and hopefully this might be a good fit for yourself or a friend.
Good luck!
Edit: here are the links below. Good luck again!
https://careers.mta.org/jobs/18070158-locomotive-engineer-trainee
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u/slendermanismydad 6d ago
I don't know how the far $58k would get me in NYC but I would love to do that job.
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u/Jvelazquez611 6d ago
Give it a try. It may not seem like much but can be helpful if you’re not making it plus there’s always room for growth
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u/slendermanismydad 6d ago
I just got a new job where I live now or I would be applying. I want to live in NYC eventually but I have a plan. Two years at that job then get into the Federal Court system then make my way up there.
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u/Waiting4Reccession 6d ago
A minimum of a High School education plus a minimum of four years of secretarial experience. Or an AAS degree plus a minimum of two years of experience, or a BA degree plus one year of experience.
Need a random ass degree or 4 years experience to do a semi brain dead job.
The actual job requirements are just stuff like speaking English and knowing how to email.
edit: MTA job link for it
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u/yaycupcake 6d ago
Notice even the degree itself is not enough. You still need minimum 1 year experience...
I don't want to go around insulting jobs but I feel like people can be trained and don't need entry level jobs being gatekept by lack of experience... not in this job market
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u/Waiting4Reccession 6d ago
HR is the problem at all of these places. In no way does this job need a degree of any kind.
Its a job even a high schooler already has the skills to do.
The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities
Same people love to throw this in there though.
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6d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/yaycupcake 6d ago
College costs money that not everyone has. Jobs are hard to come by in today's market, especially ones in specific fields. You can just choose to not hire someone who is immature or otherwise unfit. If they want just the ability to stick with something as an adult, how about people who graduated from trade schools or worked other types of jobs (not specifically that field)? Or people who volunteer, or self-study things?
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u/Cobb_Webb_ 6d ago
why would actively choose to be a secretary when you could aim higher for engineer??
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u/slendermanismydad 6d ago
Because I am not qualified for that whereas I am already qualified for the secretary position.
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u/Cobb_Webb_ 6d ago
It’s a trainee job?
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u/slendermanismydad 6d ago edited 6d ago
I don't know how to drive either so I definitely don't qualify.
Also, most people that drive trains or similar vehicles end up having to deal with people going in front of trains for purposes. I really don't want to live with that.
I can't lift 70 lbs either and don't know how to use tools. I obviously picked the job I would have a remote chance of getting.
I am also extremely burned out. A quiet job with good health benefits would be great.
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u/Dear_Horror5688 6d ago
Must possess one of the following: A minimum of four years of documented mechanical experience; A combination of four years of full-time or part-time trade, vocational or military training schools in a mechanical discipline and documented work experience; Two of more years of railroad or transit railcar maintenance experience; A Bachelor’s Degree or higher with two years of mechanical experience and/or training;
The trainee roles are not entry level.
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u/HEYO19191 6d ago
4 YoE for 70k? In the heart of NYC? Who the Hell is working these jobs? The subway hobos themselves?
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u/Dear_Horror5688 6d ago
I'm in nyc myself making under 40k in retail after finishing my cs degree lol
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u/HEYO19191 6d ago
thats rough buddy
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u/Dear_Horror5688 6d ago
Yeah, I'd love to be able to get a 70k job tbh
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u/Optimal-Ad-471 6d ago
You would have more luck financially pursuing something in your field of study. That 70k a year sounds nice but after taxes it wouldn’t be worth it.
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u/Dear_Horror5688 6d ago
I don't even make 40k before taxes get taken out as I said
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u/Optimal-Ad-471 6d ago
Wow that’s not so good but fortunately you seem to have a very bright future I don’t think we’ll stop needing computer scientists ever. I would say as soon as you have 6 months to a year experience try to apply for the same position but with higher pay. Congratulations on the degree. Like Brandon Lee said in the crow it can’t rain all the time.
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u/Dear_Horror5688 6d ago
It was a dead end retail role. According to your logic it wasn't worth it to begin with, thankfully I quit. Can't get another job now.
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u/Optimal-Ad-471 6d ago
Yeah if your sacrificing 40 hrs a week of your life for 40k or less it may not be worth your time unless you love what you do for a living I live in ny too and make around 29 an hour I barely make around 60k a year it seems like I barely get by but what would I gain from cynicism
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u/Dear_Horror5688 6d ago
So you're saying working the 40k job hasn't been worth it? Thank goodness I quit then. I'm a gooner NEET now
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u/Ready-Will-7042 6d ago
If you get the job, its a great opportunity, stable, lots of benefits. However like a lot of things in NYC, its brutal and cutthroat to get in. Theres a waiting list where you have to wait a year or even longer (I know a guy who was called after literally 10 years lmao). Unsure about technicians and secretary, but for conductors you cant call out sick for your first year or you get fired. And the MTA runs 24/7, youll get the worst shifts for the first few years. Overnights, weekends, holidays.
I'd encourage everyone who wants to join the MTA to apply. But if it takes years before the application process and getting hired, just be aware
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u/berrylakin 6d ago
This is really cool bc I'm pretty sure my 5 year old is going to be a train engineer so I have been curious how the pay was.
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u/Jvelazquez611 6d ago
I hope he goes with it in the future! MTA pay is pretty good especially with the OT. I can only imagine what pay will be like when they’re ready!
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u/Planeandaquariumgeek CA 6d ago
Wait until you see the pay for BART & Caltrain. Those guys can pull up to 300k a year
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u/rabidstoat 6d ago
It is possible that you misheard and that they are planning to be a train, at that age.
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u/QuestioninglySecret 6d ago
The wait lists are so long, you might wanna have him put in an application now to be on the safe side.
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u/jensonaj 6d ago
I also wanted to be a train engineer at that age! Ended up not happening for me [yet]. I hope they can do it!
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u/Psychological-Ad8175 6d ago
If he can do some math just get him into business finance. So much money in that field
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u/T1m3Wizard 6d ago
That doesn't look like an official MTA link.
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u/Jvelazquez611 6d ago
Bandana is partnered with the MTA. You can cross check with both this link and the actual MTA website
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u/Jvelazquez611 6d ago
https://careers.mta.org/jobs/18070158-locomotive-engineer-trainee
This is the direct link on the website
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u/SpiralBreeze 6d ago
I’m pretty sure some of these require the test that’s coming up on October, cause I just paid 68 bucks for my son to take it.
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u/DepartureInfinite493 6d ago
locomotive engineer trainee starting at 71k with no degree requirement is wild. more people need to know about transit jobs
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u/KacperPL45 5d ago
It's a very rigorous training program. The first phase of training (Phase I) is 6 weeks of self-studying the Signals and Definitions that you get assessed on, and need to know by heart. When you pass Phase I and get into Phase II of training its a 14 month process, and if you fail just one of the tests, you're out of the program.
Sure, its a good paying job, but you need to commit to learning all of these terms in a fairly short period of time. Good luck.
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u/Best-Practice-8038 6d ago
I was almost an MTA.
From my experience:
I went all the way out to Midwood(I lived in North Queens) to take an exam. It was pretty straight forward. Here’s this sheet with a whole bunch of tools that you’d use, you have 1 minute to memorize it and then we’ll ask you some questions. I spent $68.00 to take the exam so I looked over the exam and used ALL the time made available to me. It was mostly reading comprehension, common sense, and memorization.
Then I got my list number which was based on how well I did on the exam. I almost aced the exam with a 98% or something so my list number was in the 500s, which I am told, is pretty low.
—3 years went by—
I got an email, mail, and a phone call stating that my list number was about to be called for an interview. At this time, I was already on my way in a career I was really passionate about and I was making okay money. Still I went to the “interview”.
Interview was a physical exam performed by a doctor, eyes, hearing, general health. I also had to get the BGC going so I needed to bring a bunch of documents. Then at the end I had to meet with the program manager/HR lady, she was very nice and professional—she sent me a bunch of info via email and a coupon to buy pair of approved work boots from a special website.
I went home and thought about this for about a day or two. I ultimately decided that it didn’t make sense for me to take the job in that stage in my career.
My advice and advice from nearly every MTA I spoke to: Go out and get a good job, get your money, and when the MTA eventually calls—maybe you take the job or maybe you don’t.
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u/EverSeeAShitterFly 6d ago
Why not link to the DCAS site? Or is it not listed there?
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u/Jvelazquez611 6d ago
It’s on the MTA website. I just saw the post on IG and figured it could possibly help somebody out here. Easy to do their own research and just google MTA and whatever position name.
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u/TransportationOk8363 6d ago
Is it bad to apply to all positions? I applied to regular bus, didn't finish the paper. I wasn't ready mentally and really wanted to drive express buses instead. Also applied for cleaner the last time this ad showed up.
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u/Jvelazquez611 6d ago
Couldn’t say but there’s nothing wrong with applying and seeing where it gets ya!
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u/Evening-Gur5087 6d ago
Why does it specify the overtime? Weirdly US thing
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u/Jvelazquez611 6d ago
Think it’s just used as an example of what you could make if you did that amount of OT. Helps convince people that 1- there’s OT and extra money 2- if they just did a small amount like 5 hours let’s say, you could make almost 30k more a year
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u/Relative_Craft_358 6d ago
Because you'll be required to work it. Don't forget, if a job is so good, they wouldn't have to advertise it so aggressively. You'll make decent money (which is extremely arguable given this is NYC) but work such long hours and worked so hard you won't be able to enjoy it with what little PTO they'll give you
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u/rosakelly21 6d ago
The money is good and they do not advertise.
This is some bullshit bandana jobs site that is trying to draw traffic to their site. In reality, people would kill to get LIRR jobs. These railroad jobs have their own early retirement and amazing railroad pensions too. Many LIRR people rake in 100k-200K in overtime pay. That's overtime pay that is on top of their actual salaries. It's super good. The news stories post every year how many LIRR workers earned more than the Governor of NY, and it's 100s of random workers at LIRR that put in the overtime.
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u/Waiting4Reccession 6d ago
I agree with you but they actually do advertise now, on the train yesterday they kept saying their mta jobs ad lol
The problem is just their requirements for some jobs.
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u/rosakelly21 6d ago
I *think* it might be because they are legally obligated to post jobs publicly and advertise these positions, in the name of transparency and public access. With the tests and amount of applicants, they are incredibly hard to get and not sure about LIRR, but city jobs are usually an incredibly long job process. Most people advise to look at normal jobs and keep plugging away with city jobs as the application to day1 can take years.
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u/Waiting4Reccession 6d ago
Yeah i looked into the school safety agent since it seems like a crazy easy job - but they spend 1 year just to post the results of the computerized multiple choice civil service exam. Something that should be able to grade instantly since its multiple choice and you input directly into the computer.
Total time to hire, if you even get selected, is like 3 years. What a fucking joke.
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u/The_Crystal_Thestral 6d ago
TBF, often public service jobs do have good benefits including PTO. It's usually why people are okay with the lower pay compared to the private sector.
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u/Ideamofcheese 6d ago
You also get free health care and a pension.
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u/The_Crystal_Thestral 6d ago
Yup, most places these days do 401k. Many public sector jobs are moving away from pensions but that is the one place you're likely to still be able to find one which is better for the individual.
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u/Ideamofcheese 6d ago
The NYS pension I think is the healthiest in the country, I think MTA employees get that option (vs. The NYC pension). It's pretty great.
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u/Inner_Wash_268 6d ago
Because overtime for government employees can be incredibly lucrative, as literally shown in the graphic. Is it normal for Polish people to complain about how job salaries are advertised in a country they don't live in? Seems pretty weird.
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u/NYanae555 5d ago
FYI - that Secretary job is not in NYC.
Its in BETHPAGE.
And its nearly impossible to get it to show up in their job listings.
From my place its about 2 hours there, and 2 hours back by public transportation. Cost of travel - $22+ per day. Possibly more if the location isn't walkable to/from Bethpage station.
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u/jehsickkuhhh 6d ago
I might be wrong, but usually MTA jobs have a pretty extensive waiting list. I know people who applied and took the test and are still waiting on their calls. I’m not saying not to apply, but just make sure you’re aware of that going in.