Operative [Off Track]

TN United Kingdom; Chester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading rail maintenance company as an operative, where you'll work outdoors and ensure the safety and efficiency of the railway network. This role offers comprehensive training and a clear career path, focusing on essential teamwork and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Must have a category B driving license.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, inspect, and repair the land alongside the track network.
• Transport equipment across challenging terrain.
• Support team in maintaining equipment and provide lookout duties.

Skills

Team-working

Communication

Proactive planning

Working under pressure

Following rules and instructions

Willingness to learn

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

You’ll help keep our nation moving every single day.

A critical part of the work we do is the daily upkeep of the rail network. As an operative, you’ll work outdoors in a small team, supporting essential maintenance to keep the railway running safely and smoothly for passengers and freight users.

Our operative community comes from a variety of backgrounds, and this might be your first consideration of a career in rail. We focus on your transferable skills and behaviors; if you can demonstrate these, we will provide all the necessary training to ensure you work safely and competently on the network.

And if you make the grade, you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that recently ranked in the top 50 in Glassdoor's 2021 Best Places to Work.

About the role (External)

Operatives can specialize in various disciplines, but for this role, you’ll become a specialist in Off track. You’ll be responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing the land alongside the track network to ensure safety and efficiency. This includes vegetation management, drainage, and ancillary structures.

Our operatives work outdoors in all conditions, at all times of the year, day or night. You’ll be involved in demanding manual work, often transporting equipment across challenging terrain. Being safety-conscious, respectful of rules, and a team player are critical, as you’ll often work near moving trains traveling at high speed.

You matter to your team

The team depends on you. You’re the one who arrives first and leaves last, checks that the van and equipment are ready for each shift, and drives the team from site to site. Every day, you support your team in maintaining equipment and provide lookout duties to ensure everyone's safety.

You matter to us

Your commitment to self-development and continuous learning is vital. We’ll provide comprehensive training to develop both your technical and non-technical skills. If you’re transitioning from another industry, this structured training will give you the confidence to build a rewarding career in rail. Today’s operatives can become tomorrow’s technicians and team leaders, with a clear career path ahead.

Our operatives are key members of our maintenance teams. While rail experience isn’t mandatory, you must demonstrate how your transferable skills meet the following criteria:

• Team-working: Our maintenance teams rely on collaboration to deliver safe and efficient work.
• Communication: Good communication skills are essential for safe and effective work.
• Proactive planning: Being punctual, prepared, and anticipating team needs are crucial to keep passengers and freight moving.
• Working under pressure: Working outdoors in all conditions near moving trains requires calmness under pressure.
• Following rules and instructions: Respect and understanding of safety rules are essential, with confidence to challenge unsafe situations.
• Willingness to learn: Continually develop your skills and stay updated with new standards and procedures.

Additional information

Consider the following to determine if this role suits you:

• Shifts: The role involves rotating shifts, including days, nights, and weekends.
• Outdoor working: Comfort working outside in various weather conditions is necessary.
• Safe working: Employment is contingent on drug and alcohol testing, medical assessments, and BPSS checks, including hearing and eyesight examinations.
• Driving: A category B driving license is required to operate Network Rail vehicles.
• Commute times: You should live within a 60-minute commute of the location you’re applying for.