Assistant Possession Planning Engineer

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: Assist with all aspects of Engineering Access Planning, ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective planning of engineering access. Produce safe and effective SSOW plans in accordance with project timescales and industry standards. Manage resources including quality, safety, time, costs, people, materials and tools/equipment for the task. This role is critical in the development and delivery of robust SSOW plans. The role will involve close liaison with a wide range of people, within and external to the company, including Construction, Engineering and Projects staff as well as Network Rail.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY / TASKS:

• Responsibility for production of project Safe System of Work Packs to time and budget.
• Ensure the safety culture is authentic zero accident/incident.
• Plan safe systems of work for nominated projects with appropriate safety and performance measures applied, within required timescales.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of SSOW plans.
• Produce plans compliant with operational standards, rules, and procedures.
• Attend site to identify risks/hazards, enabling production of robust SSOW plans.
• Book track access as required through Network Rail's Green Zone Access process.
• Ensure appropriate protection staff and equipment are booked/confirmed within timescales.
• Ensure appropriate risk assessments are carried out prior to issue of SSOW plans.
• Assist in resolving track access conflicts to deliver the plan, whilst minimising commercial risk.
• Identify risks associated with work on or near the line and put in place mitigation measures.
• Deliver safe and efficient engineering access, whilst maximising access opportunities.
• Develop effective working relationships with the company, our delivery partners, and key stakeholders.
• Support/assist the Head of Infrastructure Access as necessary with business requirements.
• Maintain and hold appropriate licence for the activities carried out.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Track competences relevant to role (Safe System of Work Planner, COSS, IWA, PTS).

COMPETENCIES:

• Minimum of 2 years railway operations experience.
• Good communication skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent IT skills (specifically MS Office).
• Experience carrying out duties of a COSS.
• Technical competence demonstrable by appropriate SSOW planner licence.
• Thorough knowledge of the rule book, group standards and other documentation relating to Possessions, SSOW planning and electrical isolations.
• Excellent working knowledge of SSOW planning tool (including Green Zone Planner, Sectional Appendix, Weekly Operating Notice, Engineering Access Statement, hazard directory and on-trac/e-pic systems).
• Understanding of key operational roles and how they can affect engineering access (Signaller, SWL, E/S, COSS).
• Commercial awareness and ability to identify change.
• Hold full UK driving licence.

Specific Health, Safety & Environmental Responsibilities for this Post:

• Set and lead the right behaviours to support creating a robust H&S culture.
• Set an example by their own actions and activities.
• Set targets and objectives for H&S and environmental for their direct staff, using the HSE tool and processes on the BMS for managing H&S and environmental objectives.
• Ensure that directed staff are capable and competent to undertake the tasks allocated to them.
• Ensure effective implementation of the SMO UKI BMS relating to Manuals, Plans, SSOW and other activities for which your role has responsibilities to ensure compliance with PCL requirements.
• Communicate and encourage feedback on H&S and environmental issues.
• Undertake appropriate disciplinary action for any breach of H&S following the just culture process.
• Investigate accidents or incidents to determine basic causes, feedback information both up and down the organisation using the SMO reporting system.
• Ensure adequate H&S equipment is to hand and is used by employees.
• Undertake H&S tours or inspections; take action where deficiencies are observed.
• When unable to rectify or remedy unsafe situations either stop work if the risk is too high and/or report the deficiency (and involve HSE) to the Project Manager for action.
• Promote and use the business procedures to control and manage work.
• Understand the H&S and environment risks involved in any activity they control and ensure any mitigation designated to control that risk are effectively operated/implemented.
• Be prepared and be competent to manage any foreseen emergency situations.
• Become involved in any worksafe problem and help resolve that problem.
• Maintain their competence to manage their own H&S and environmental responsibilities and contribute to their directs competence to manage their H&S and environmental responsibilities.