Network Rail
Operative (Talent Pool - various disciplines)
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Who We Are
Join Network Rail! Where People and Connections Matter
At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team- you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.
We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.
Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.
About The Role
Operatives can specialise in a range of disciplines but for this role you'll become a specialist in (Depending which discipline you are successful for)
Signalling & Telecoms
You'll be working with equipment including signals that control when trains can run, level crossings, and points systems. With your willingness to learn, you'll develop a huge range of technical skills across a range of manual, electrical and digital equipment.
Track
You'll be responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing the track network, (also known as the Permanent Way or P-Way) to keep the railway safe and efficient. This is a very manual role as you'll be working with rails, sleepers and ballast that support the trains, together with their associated drainage and ancillary structures.
Offtrack
You'll be responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing the land alongside the track network to keep the railway safe and efficient. This includes vegetation management, drainage, and ancillary structures.
Undertrack
You'll be responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing equipment under the track network to keep the railway safe and efficient. This role has a heavy skill focus on joinery, lubrication, and welding.
Distribution & Plant
You'll work as part of a team to keep power flowing through the electrified rails safely and efficiently. Day to day you'll work on the nuts, bolts and cables of the electrification system making sure that the railway has the power to run the trains, signals, and stations.
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Overhead lines
Working with high voltage systems you'll ensure our railway has the power to run the trains. Working at height is routine, and you'll use various types of specialist tools and equipment to measure, adjust, repair, and modify cables and wires that keeps Britain's railway running.
Our operatives work outside in all conditions, at all times of the year, day, or night. You'll be involved in demanding manual work, often with the need to transport kit, across tricky terrain. Being safety focused, respectful of rules and a team player will be critical as you'll often be working next to moving trains travelling at high speed.
Salary
£30,351 or £35,785 depending on discipline
Please note this is an active talent pool used for both current and future vacancies with permanent or fixed-term contract opportunities available.
The pool is regularly monitored, and you will be contacted as soon as a suitable role become available. Your application will be retained for up to 6 months.
Click apply now to apply.
What does our recruitment process look like?
Once you have applied, our Recruitment Specialist will look at your CV.
If your experience matches what we're looking for, you'll be invited to an interview.
You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.
Your Experience And Skills
You matter to your team
The team depends on you. You're the one who shows up first and leaves last, who makes sure the van and equipment are checked and ready for every shift, and who drives the team from site to site. Every day you'll support your team in maintaining equipment and will provide lookout duties to keep the whole team safe.
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You matter to us
Your commitment to self-development and continuous learning is hugely important in this role and we'll provide you with all the training to develop both technical skills and non-technical skills. If you're joining us from another industry, the structured training will give you the skills and confidence to move into a rewarding career in rail. Today's operatives are tomorrow's technicians and team leaders, and we offer a clear career path for you.
Your Skills Matter
Our operatives play a key role in our maintenance teams. You don't necessarily need rail experience, but you do need to show how your transferable skills meet the following:
- Team-working Our maintenance teams depend on each other and you'll be able to work closely with the team to deliver safe and efficient work delivery.
- Communication You'll have good communication skills so you can work safely and effectively.
- Proactive planning Being punctual, having the van and equipment ready and anticipating the needs of the team are essential to keeping our passengers and freight moving.
- Working under pressure Working outdoors in all conditions, and with trains passing close by means you'll need to remain calm under pressure.
- Following rules and instructions It is important that you understand and respect the rules, but also feel confident to challenge if you see a situation is unsafe.
- Willingness to learn You'll consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures, and instructions.
It matters that this is the right role for you
Here's some additional information which might help you.
- Shifts: Operative roles involve a changing shift pattern including days, nights, and weekends.
- Outdoor working: Our operatives work outside in all weathers and so you'll be comfortable working in different conditions.
- Safe working: Offers of employment are subject to drug and alcohol testing and passing of the relevant medical assessment and BPSS pre-employment checks. This will include a hearing and eyesight examination.
- Driving: As an operative you'll also need a driving licence (category B) so you can drive Network Rail vehicles.
- Commute times: You'll also need to be within a 60-minute commute of the location that you're applying for.
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