At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and repair railway land to ensure safe and efficient operations.
- Company: Network Rail, dedicated to a greener and better railway experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, discounts, pension schemes, and 28 days annual leave.
- Other info: Clear career progression from Operative to Technician with full training provided.
- Why this job: Join a diverse team making a real impact on the UK's rail network.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just a passion for teamwork and safety.
The predicted salary is between 32639 - 32639 £ per year.
Network Rail operates and maintains the railway infrastructure 24/7, 365 days a year. Our purpose is to connect people and goods with where they need to be and our vision is for a simpler, better, greener railway. Our North West route covers Cheshire to Cumbria, including key cities like Liverpool and Manchester, and destinations such as Blackpool and the Lake District. Major stations include Crewe, Liverpool Lime Street, Preston, and Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria. This busy region sees 1.3 million daily passengers and moves 700,000 tonnes of freight weekly, with 571 stations making up a quarter of Britain's rail network.
In the North West & Central Region, we're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills or potential to thrive in this role, we'd love to hear from you. We're committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably.
About the role: 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 an operative, you'll work outdoors in a small team, supporting essential maintenance to keep the railway running safely and smoothly for passengers and freight users. Our operative 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 transferable 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.
As an Off-Track Operative, 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 and boundary management; previous experience of vegetation and boundary management would be desirable.
Please Note: There may be a requirement to work on call in this role if you opt to take the Standard Maintenance Contract. We are a Disability Confident Leader and want to make the most of the skills and talents disabled people bring to the workplace.
Salary and benefits:
- Salary: £32,639 Maintenance T&Cs plus additional benefits (overtime, weekend, on-call, night rates)
- Pro-rata annual leave entitlement (28 days)
- A range of discounted offers including childcare vouchers, healthcare offers - cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits
- Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets
- A choice of contributory pension schemes
- 2 weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community
Closing date: 21st September 2026. Assessment Centres will take place for this in October. Late applications may not be accepted. Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision. We will endeavour to offer a diverse interview panel wherever possible.
Drugs & Alcohol test: All prospective candidates offered a conditional role 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 will be enforced.
Your experience and skills:
- Your commitment to self-development and continuous learning is hugely important in this role and we'll provide you with all the training to develop both technical skills and non-technical skills.
- Teamworking - Our maintenance teams rely on your hard work and you will play an important role within the team.
- Communication - A variety of clear communication skills to deliver instructions to the team and other colleagues are essential so work can be completed safely and effectively.
- 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 have knowledge of Off-Track inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques to follow daily work instructions.
- Technical skills - You must have technical knowledge of the discipline you are applying for and know about construction management processes.
Shifts: Operative roles involve a changing shift pattern including days, nights, and weekends. Outdoor working - Our operatives 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 and BPSS pre-employment checks. This will include a hearing and eyesight examination. Driving - As an operative 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.
Operative [Off Track] in Preston employer: NETWORK RAIL
Network Rail is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while contributing to vital infrastructure projects in the UK. The supportive culture and commitment to maintaining accurate data ensure that your role as a Data & SharePoint Support Specialist is both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operative [Off Track] in Preston
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We think you need these skills to ace Operative [Off Track] in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at NETWORK RAIL, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at NETWORK RAIL and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into NETWORK RAIL. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at NETWORK RAIL
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at NETWORK RAIL.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to NETWORK RAIL.
