Operative [Track Maintenance] x2

Network Rail; Reading; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Privileged staff travel

Rail season tickets subsidy

Healthcare package

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted childcare

Hybrid working

Volunteering leave

Reserve leave

PROUD recognition

Job summary

Network Rail in Wales and Western region is seeking operatives who specialise in Off track maintenance to maintain, inspect and repair land alongside the track network, ensuring safety and efficiency.

You will work outdoors in all conditions, day or night, performing demanding manual work and transporting equipment as needed. A safety-focused mindset and teamwork are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Teamwork and collaboration within maintenance teams.
• Strong communication for safe and effective work.
• Proactive planning to keep the team prepared.
• Ability to work outdoors in all conditions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, inspect and repair land alongside track network to keep railway safe.
• Perform vegetation management, drainage and ancillary structures.
• Work outdoors in all conditions, day or night, with safety focus.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Proactive planning

Working under pressure

Following rules

Willingness to learn

Job description

Who We Are

At Network Rail, We're Part Of a Large Family Serving Millions Of Passengers And Freight Users Throughout The UK Every Day. Our Service Impacts Millions Of People And We Strive To Become More Efficient As We Enhance, Maintain And Operate Our Network. Now Is a Fantastic Time And Join Our Team In Wales And Western Region As We Finalise The Reforms To Our Maintenance Organisation Which Will Deliver

A safer and more reliable and punctual service for passengers and employees quicker fault fixes by more agile multi-disciplined response teams.

Individual rostering enabling us to send the right number or people to fix a fault.

Multi-skilling ¿ investing in the knowledge and skills of our people so they are better equipped to fix the most common faults themselves.

Accelerated and improved technology deployment we have a raft of labour and life-saving technology ready to be rolled out.

Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. When you are part of our team, you matter to us and you matter to millions.

Watch our video to find out more!

About our people and the recruitment process

We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We look for opportunities to offer great opportunities to learn and grow through personal and professional development. And, if you make the grade then you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that joined the top 50 in the Glassdoor's 2021 Best Places to Work.

About The Role

Operatives can specialise in a range of 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 keep the railway safe and efficient. This includes vegetation management, drainage and ancillary structures.

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.

As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!

• Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
• Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.
• Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, with hybrid working, flexible working, and family friendly support.
• 5 days paid volunteering leave.
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.
• In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.

Salary: £32,639 per annum

Some on call may be required at times.

Closing date: 7th September 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

The assessment process will consist of a competency and technical interview.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We're constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we're working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.

We are working in conjunction with the Cultural Fusion team. If you would like support with your application or interview please contact Wales&[e-mail] or visit the connect page: Wales and Western Cultural Fusion (sharepoint.com).

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. 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 contact [e-mail]

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety within your application.

Our Drugs and Alcohol Standard has changed. All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5-year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced

Your Experience And Skills

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 transferrable skills meet the following:

• Teamworking. 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.

Experience as an arborist