Driver (Retford /Wakefield)

Colas Rail UK; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

34 days Annual Leave

Industry leading Life Assurance

Healthcare Cash Plan

Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme

Pension Scheme

Eye Care Vouchers

Long Service Award

Season Ticket Loan

Occupational Health Service

Job summary

Colas Rail UK is seeking a Driver to operate On Track Machines for tamping and maintenance across the UK. This front-line role requires adherence to safety standards, strong teamwork, and the ability to work across sites from Retford to Wakefield.

You will be responsible for maintaining competency, staying informed on rules, and reporting as part of a skilled crew. This position offers a mobile role with shift work and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Able to follow policies and procedures safely without direct supervision.
• Rail industry experience preferred as engineer, operator or driver.
• Hold a Full UK Driving License.
• Willingness to work shifts, including nights, weekends and bank holidays.
• Physical fitness to meet role demands.

Responsibilities

• Maintain competency in all aspects of TO2-201.
• Stay up to date on all rules, regulations, and operating notices whilst ensuring assessments are completed on time.
• Take personal responsibility for route learning, refreshing, and reporting any issues.
• Obtain and acknowledge late notice information from the Control Room.
• Safely move machines unsupervised in accordance with rules and regulations.
• Adjust driving techniques for prevailing conditions.
• Perform risk-triggered commentary during driving duties.
• Observe all signals and report irregularities immediately in line with rules and procedures.
• Communicate with external parties and Control to understand and report delays.
• Report any safety incidents to the appropriate parties immediately.
• Perform Driver-Only Operation (DOO) duties if qualified.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Problem analysis

Team player

Positive attitude

Education

OPC psychometric pass

European Train License (desirable)

Tools

PTS competency (desirable)

Job description

Make your mark with Colas Rail UK

At Colas Rail, differences matter. Join a team where being your authentic self is respected, encouraged, and vital to our success. At Colas Rail you'll be at home. You'll be welcomed into an inclusive team where there's a role for every talent and a close-knit, familial culture. You will also get the opportunity to help us transform transportation, set new standards, and dare to be different.

This is true because...

• We value everyone as part of the same team.
• We treat everyone as equals - and everyone is approachable, from the CEO down.
• We put you in control of your career to lead and grow in any way you want.
• We have a culture of care, from safe working environments to diversity and inclusion.
• We're renowned for innovation, adopting new ideas, and daring to be different.
• We are building a more sustainable future and our projects impact infrastructure for generations.

About Us

Step into the world of Colas Rail, where a century of expertise merges with a daring spirit to shape the future of rail infrastructure.

At Colas Rail, we deliver transport solutions for sustainable mobility. We are a leading rail infrastructure business with on track plant and freight capabilities. As a subsidiary of the Colas Group, we are part of over a hundred years' experience in delivering major innovations across our sector. Every day, thousands of trains run on tracks built, designed, or maintained by Colas Rail.

Leading by our Values

Our values, Respect, Commitment, Pioneering and Sharing are at the heart of everything we do. These values feed into our main strategies and accompany us daily in realising our ambitions.

We Respect

We respect our employees, celebrate diversity and foster a culture of safety, care and respect for everyone we interact with. We care about our employee’s wellbeing and create an environment of inclusivity and support.

We Commit

By showing up wholeheartedly. When we commit together, we invest in everyone’s success. We invest in our customers, our teams and our colleagues, and we lead with safety, integrity, passion, purpose, ethics and transparency.

We Share

We share as we all hold knowledge that could and should be shared, enabling us to grow and making us a strong collective. We have a passion for excellence, celebrating achievements and nurturing talent.

We Pioneer

We pioneer to push boundaries, imagine what does not yet exist and dare to do what others do not. We innovate with ambition, and we find solutions.

Even if you don't meet every requirement, please don't rule yourself out, we still encourage you to apply if your skills, values, and experience align to the role.

Purpose of the Role

The purpose of the role of a Driver on our On Track Machines (OTMs) is to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient maintenance of the railway infrastructure. This is a front-line position working on our fleet of tampers across the UK. This individual will work collaboratively within a skilled team of operators, maintainers and drivers, utilizing their expertise to successfully deliver tamping operations for infrastructure maintenance and renewal work scopes key for passenger services.

Location of the Role

This role is based in Retford / Wakefield and is a UK Mobile role.

Key Responsibilities

Driver

• Maintain competency in all aspects of TO2-201.
• Stay up to date on all rules, regulations, and operating notices whilst ensuring assessments are completed on time.
• Take personal responsibility for route learning, refreshing, and reporting any issues.
• Obtain and acknowledge late notice information from the Control Room.
• Safely move machines unsupervised in accordance with rules and regulations.
• Adjust driving techniques for prevailing conditions.
• Perform risk-triggered commentary during driving duties.
• Observe all signals and report irregularities immediately in line with rules and procedures.
• Communicate with external parties and Control to understand and report delays.
• Report any safety incidents (including safety of the line incidents) to the appropriate parties immediately.
• Perform Driver-Only Operation (DOO) duties if qualified.

All roles

• Responsible for reporting fit for duty via booking on and off duty at the time and place directed by rosters, weekly orders.
• Use all relevant PPE where required checking it is fit for purpose
• Work within the lifesaving rules and all relevant safety procedures
• Demonstrate clear and open communications with Rugby Control Room
• Work towards all targets as outlined in your Professional Development Review (PDR) including safety targets (safety conversations, safety briefs, close calls etc)
• When required, liaise with the maintenance department regarding machine repairs, faults and spares.
• When required, ensure detailed reports are submitted from machine crew to the maintenance department regarding faults arising from shift.
• Only perform safety-critical tasks you are competent to do.
• As you will expect the organisation may change from time to time and you will be expected to meet the operational requirements.
• Any other reasonable duties as required from time to time.
• Adhere to all Colas Rail policies and procedures at all times.

Person Specification

Experience

• Ideally have experience following policies and procedures safely without requiring direct supervision
• Ideally have previous experience within the Rail Industry as an engineer, operator or driver

Personal Attributes

• Have a positive attitude and thrive in a busy and pressurized environment
• Are motivated to learn and develop and maximize personal contribution to the business.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team

Skills And Competencies

• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Can analyze problems thoroughly and make timely decisions.
• Hold PTS competency (desirable)

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work shifts, including nights, weekends and bank holidays
• Willingness to stay away from home (at company expense) where required
• Hold a Full UK Driving License
• Physical fitness to meet the demands of the role.

Role specific qualifications

• Hold an OPC psychometric pass (required- can be sent for this test during the recruitment process)
• Hold a European Train License (desirable)

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary
• 34 days Annual Leave
• Industry leading Life Assurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Long Service Award
• Season Ticket Loan
• Occupational Health Service

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation and creativity, and we actively seek to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, heard, valued and respected. Regardless of background, disability, age, race, religion, or gender, everyone is welcome at Colas Rail.

We strive to promote equity and eliminate discrimination, actively seeking to create a workforce reflective of communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, offering flexible and inclusive adjustments to the interview process.

As part of a positive action drive to address under-representation we encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse individuals and people with disabilities, along with all candidates who identify with protected characteristic groups under the Equality Act 2010.

We are proudly part of the Disability Confidence Scheme, and as such we operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme if you meet the minimum requirements.

On joining Colas Rail you’ll have access to our growing Employee Network Groups including Railbow (representing the LGBTQ+ community), BeyonDisability (representing those with disabilities) and Cross Culture (representing people from ethnic backgrounds). Everyone is welcome to join our network groups whether you are part of the community or an ally.

Work life balance is important to us; flexible working options are available where feasible and dependant on the role. Please discuss this during the interview process.

Join us in making a positive impact! Apply and be part of a team that values diversity and embraces unique perspectives.