Technician [Off Track]

NETWORK RAIL; Fort William; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave entitlement

Choice of pension schemes

Discounted leisure train travel

75% subsidy on Rail and Underground

5 days paid volunteer or carers leave

My Benefits platform

Job summary

NETWORK RAIL in Scotland is seeking a Full-Time Technician specialising in Off Track maintenance to inspect and repair land alongside the track network, including vegetation, drainage and ancillary structures.

You will work outdoors in all conditions, receive comprehensive training, and contribute to a safe and reliable railway for passengers and freight. This role provides a clear progression path within a nationwide network.

Qualifications

• Experience of arranging and implementing safe systems of work.
• Knowledge of how to organise and control the safe and efficient delivery of work.
• Strong communication skills, both in person and in writing.
• Knowledge of discipline-specific maintenance, inspection, faulting and renewal techniques.
• Willing and able to work shifts in all weathers.
• Meet the required benchmark for application screening questions (all applicants).

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the team to deliver safe and efficient work.
• Ensure the team has the right competencies to meet safety standards.
• Be a role model for safe working behaviours and challenge risks to keep everyone safe.
• Adapt to changing shift patterns and coordinate with rail operations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in safety and performance.

Skills

Leadership

Effective communicator

Technical skills

Safety

Problem solver

Willingness to learn

Relevant qualification

Education

NVQ Level 1 or 2

Job description

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. 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.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Scotland's Railway is part of this large family and it covers a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users, drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues and protecting safety and wellbeing.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.

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 a Technician you'll work outdoors in a team, supporting essential maintenance to keep the railway running safely and smoothly for passengers and freight users.

Our Technician community comes from a variety of different backgrounds, and this might be the first time that you've even considered a career in rail. We're focused on your transferrable skills and behaviours and if you can demonstrate that, then we will provide you with all the necessary training to have you working safely and competently out on the network.

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

About the role

This is a Full-Time / Permanent position.

Technicians specialise in a range of disciplines and 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 Technicians work outside in all conditions, at all times of the year, day or night. You could 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.

We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone!

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 Evenbreak's 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].

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

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. Applicants should demonstrate their personal commitment to safety in their application.

Network Rail Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Choice of pension schemes
• Discounted leisure train travel for you and your family
• 75% subsidy on Rail and Underground season tickets
• 5 days paid volunteer or carers leave
• My Benefits platform - giving national and local discounts on retailers, gym membership and more

Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any point, simply let us know - we'll do our best to assist you.

PLEASE NOTE - all offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Your experience and skills

You matter to your team

A natural team player, you'll also be able to lead the team when asked by the team leader. You'll use your skills to deliver work safely and will check the team has the right competencies to meet our strict safety standards. You'll also be a role model for safe working behaviours and be confident to challenge any potential risks to safety, so that everyone gets home safe every day.

You matter to us

Today's Technicians can go onto become tomorrow's Team Leaders.

Your skills matter

• Leadership - You're able to lead, motivate and direct a team for safe and efficient work delivery.
• Effective communicator - You'll need strong communication skills and be able to deliver clear instructions to the team and other colleagues.
• Technical skills - You'll have knowledge and experience of inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques in the discipline that you are applying for.
• Safety - You consistently role model safe behaviours, can arrange and implement safe systems of work, and are confident to challenge if you think a situation is unsafe.
• Problem solver - You'll be persistent in finding safe and effective solutions. You'll consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures and instructions to issues you find in your working environment.
• 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.
• Relevant qualification - You'll ideally hold an NVQ Level 1 or 2 linked to the discipline you are applying for. Or you have achieved an equivalent level of relevant experience.

Here's some additional information which might help you

• Shifts - the Technician role involves a changing shift pattern including days, nights and weekends.
• Outdoor working - Our Technicians 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 (if not already held). This will include a hearing and eyesight examination. If you're an external candidate - you will also be required to undergo BPSS pre-employment checks.
• Driving - As a technician 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.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of arranging and implementing safe systems of work
• Knowledge of how to organise and control the safe and efficient delivery of work
• Strong communication skills, both in person and in writing
• Knowledge of discipline-specific maintenance, inspection, faulting and renewal techniques
• Willing and able to work shifts in all weathers
• Meet the required benchmark for application screening questions (all applicants)

Grade: Maintenance Grade Terms and Conditions (Standard Maintenance Contract)

Salary: £38,482

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 29th June 2026 - late applications will not be accepted.

We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date (based on application volumes).