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- Tasks: Ensure railway safety and efficiency through maintenance and teamwork.
- Company: Network Rail, dedicated to connecting people and goods safely.
- Benefits: Comprehensive training, flexible working, and clear career progression.
- Why this job: Join a diverse team and make a real impact on railway safety.
- Qualifications: Electrical experience or qualifications required; teamwork and communication skills essential.
- Other info: Outdoor work in all weather; commitment to safety is crucial.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 ÂŁ per year.
About Network Rail
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. We’re continuing to build a diverse organisation which is representative of the people we serve. We want to harness the skills and expertise of our people and attract the best talent to enable a safe and accessible railway for everyone.
About our people and the recruitment process
We’re an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don’t always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we’ll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance. We’re also a Disability Confident Leader employer 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.
Brief Description
We welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds, even if you’ve never considered a rail career before. Your role will be critical for ensuring railway safety and efficiency through adherence to safety procedures, alignment with Network Rail’s safety vision, and engaging in practical problem‑solving with your team. We prioritise transferrable skills and behaviours, and we are committed to providing the training required for you to work safely and competently on the network. Our workplace is diverse, and we strive to make it as welcoming as possible to everyone. You’ll be a member of a small team responsible for daily rail network maintenance, contributing to the safe and smooth operation for passengers and freight users.
Please note: To be successful in this role we do require you to have some form of either electrical experience or electrical qualifications. All candidates are required to complete the question bank and should you successfully pass this you will be invited to take part in AON testing, which will look at your mechanical comprehension. Candidates that pass this stage will be sent over to the hiring manager for further review.
About the role
If working outdoors in any weather, day & night, and engaging in fulfilling manual tasks sounds exciting to you, the role of Railway Operative might be for you. Your focus on safety, respect for rules, and teamwork are essential whilst working in a safety‑critical environment. Operatives specialise in a range of fields but for this role, you’ll become a specialist in Signalling & Telecoms. You will be working with equipment including signals and communication systems that control when trains can run, level crossings, and points systems. Whilst working with us, you will have the opportunity to develop a huge range of technical skills across manual, electrical and digital equipment.
Your dedication to self‑development is highly valued. We provide comprehensive training for both technical and non‑technical skills. Whether you’re new to the industry or transitioning from another field, our structured training prepares you for a rewarding career in rail. Today’s operatives are tomorrow’s Technicians and Team Leaders, and we offer a clear career path for your advancement. Your dedication matters to both your team and us and we pride ourselves on tailoring our support to our specific employee’s needs. For example, we actively encourage members of our team to seek accommodations that will make their lives at work easier.
Your Skills Matter to us!
- Team working – our maintenance teams depend on each other, and you will be required to work closely with the team to deliver safe and efficient work delivery.
- Good Communication Skills – so you can work safely and effectively within a team.
- Proactive planning – being punctual, having equipment ready in preparation for the needs of the team.
- Thriving in high‑pressure situations – working outdoors in all conditions, and with situations where trains will be passing close by, so you’ll need to remain competent in a fast‑paced environment.
- 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 – consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your team, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures, and instructions.
Shifts – Operative roles involve a changing shift pattern including days, nights, and weekends. Outdoor working – Our operatives operate outdoors in all kinds of weather, and you’ll be equipped with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment to handle various weather conditions. Safe working – offers of employment are subject to drug and alcohol testing and passing of the relevant medical assessment and BPSS pre‑employment checks. This will include a hearing and eyesight examination. Driving – A driving license (category B) will be required so you can drive Network Rail vehicles. Commute times – You will need to be within a 60‑minute commute of the location.
Please get your application in as soon as possible; we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted. Please note the recruitment process for this role is a Competency‑based interview. 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 add a note to your application.
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 on your application.
Drugs and Alcohol Standard: 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.
Operative - Signalling Maintenance in City of London employer: Network Rail Limited
Contact Detail:
Network Rail Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operative - Signalling Maintenance in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Watch their videos and read up on their values. When you show genuine interest in Network Rail, it’ll shine through in your conversations and interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for the competency-based interview by thinking of examples from your past experiences that showcase your teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. We want to see how you handle real-life situations!
✨Tip Number 3
Network, network, network! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and maybe even refer you. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it keeps everything organised and helps us track your progress through the recruitment process.
We think you need these skills to ace Operative - Signalling Maintenance in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Safety: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your commitment to safety. This role is all about keeping the railway safe, so share any experiences or examples that demonstrate how you prioritise safety in your work.
Tailor Your Skills to the Role: Take a good look at the job description and match your skills with what they're looking for. If you've got electrical experience or qualifications, shout about them! We want to see how your background fits into the Operative role.
Be Yourself: We’re all about diversity and inclusion here at StudySmarter, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your unique experiences and perspectives – we want to know what makes you, you!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure you submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the recruitment process there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Network Rail Limited
✨Know Your Safety Procedures
Since safety is paramount in this role, make sure you understand the key safety procedures and protocols that Network Rail follows. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise safety in your previous experiences and how you would apply that knowledge in this position.
✨Showcase Your Teamwork Skills
This role requires strong teamwork, so think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others. Highlight your communication skills and how you contribute to a positive team environment, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Demonstrate Your Willingness to Learn
Network Rail values self-development, so be ready to talk about how you’ve pursued learning opportunities in the past. Discuss any relevant training or qualifications you have, particularly in electrical work, and express your eagerness to continue developing your skills.
✨Prepare for Competency-Based Questions
Since the interview will be competency-based, review common questions related to the skills and behaviours mentioned in the job description. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and provide clear, concise examples from your experience.
