Technician [Off Track]

Network Rail; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Rail in the United Kingdom is seeking a hands-on outdoor maintenance professional to lead a small team. You’ll organise work, ensure safety processes, and keep the railway network reliable day and night.

The role involves vegetation management, drainage maintenance, fencing work and operating on-track equipment, with emphasis on safety and teamwork. A full driving licence and proximity to the Central Route location are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience arranging and implementing safe systems of work.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Strong communication, both written and spoken.
• Must be within 60 minutes travel of the location and hold a full driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Organise and motivate the team to deliver safe, high-quality work.
• Carry out outdoor maintenance including vegetation, drainage and fencing.
• Respond to real-time challenges to keep trains moving safely.
• Work a varied shift pattern with rosters provided in advance.

Skills

Safe systems of work

Team leadership

Communication skills

Organising work delivery

Problem solving

Driving ability

Education

NVQ level 1 or 2 (or equivalent)

Job description

Who We Are

Network Rail operates and maintains the railway infrastructure. 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're part of our team, you matter to us and you matter to millions.

In the North West & Central Region, we're proud to be building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. Different perspectives help us make better decisions, drive innovation and deliver a safer, more accessible railway for our passengers and communities.

Even if you don't meet every single requirement of the job. If you're passionate about making a difference and you believe you have the skills, potential and ambition to succeed, we want to hear from you. Find out more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail here: Equity, diversity and inclusion - Network Rail.

Our Route

Central Route is at the heart of Britain's railway, connecting people, communities and businesses across the country. From the busy commuter routes of Birmingham to the vital links between the West Midlands and London, our network helps hundreds of thousands of passengers travel safely and reliably every week, while supporting the movement of freight that keeps the UK economy moving. Home to Birmingham New Street, the busiest station outside London, Central Route plays a critical role in connecting England, Scotland and Wales. Whether it's helping someone get to work, visit loved ones or access new opportunities, everything we do helps keep people and communities connected.

About The Role

You'll be right at the heart of keeping the railway safe, reliable, and moving every day. Working alongside the Team Leader, you’ll help organise and motivate the team, making sure work is delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards. This is a role where your expertise, judgement, and leadership really count.

You'll be part of a close¿knit outdoor team carrying out essential maintenance that keeps passengers and freight moving smoothly across the network. From inspecting and repairing the land alongside the railway to responding to real¿time challenges, your work will have a visible and lasting impact.

Your role will see you involved in a wide range of Off¿Track activities, giving you variety, responsibility, and the chance to continuously build your skills. You'll carry out hands¿on vegetation management, including tree work such as climbing and felling, maintaining flail strips, and operating specialist equipment including on¿track plant, brush cutters, hedge cutters, and chainsaws. You'll also play a part in protecting biodiversity, working within SSSIs and wildlife habitats to balance safety with sustainability.

You'll help keep the railway resilient by maintaining drainage systems both on and off the track. This includes using specialist machinery such as jetters and suction units, as well as clearing ditches and culverts often with a mini¿digger to reduce the risk of flooding and disruption.

Maintaining safe and secure boundaries is another key part of the role. You'll carry out fencing maintenance, respond quickly to emergency situations such as animal incursions, and support fencing renewal projects that help protect the railway and its surroundings.

This is a demanding, physical role carried out outdoors in all weather conditions, day or night, throughout the year. You'll often transport equipment across uneven or challenging terrain, so resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude are essential. Safety is always the top priority, and being rule¿focused, alert, and a strong team player is critical especially when working alongside live railway lines with trains travelling at high speed.

As part of your development, you may also be asked to deputise for the Team Leader from time to time, giving you the opportunity to step up, build leadership experience, and prepare for future progression.

This role requires flexibility, as you'll work a varied shift pattern, but rosters are provided in advance so you can plan your time around family, friends and personal commitments.

Salary: £38,482 per annum.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Want to find out more about what fantastic benefits we offer?

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of a range of pre-employment checks.

We're a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people.

Your Experience And Skills

What we're looking for

Role

We're looking for someone who is motivated by making a real impact and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. To succeed in this role, you’ll bring:

• Experience of arranging and implementing safe systems of work.
• Knowledge of how to organise and control the safe and efficient delivery of work.
• Able to demonstrate, promote and embed safe working behaviours within the team.
• Able to lead, motivate and direct a team.
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of permanent way inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques.
• Conversant with standards, procedures and instructions.
• Hold and retain competencies relevant to this post, required by business need.
• Ideally hold (or be working towards) an NVQ level 1 or 2 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject or have attained an appropriate level of knowledge through equivalent relevant experience.
• Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need.

Please note that you must live within a 60¿minute travel time of the location stated in this advert. A full driving licence is essential for this role.