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- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure safety and excellent customer service at the station.
- Company: Join South Western Railway, connecting communities across South West London and beyond.
- Benefits: Earn up to £30,000 plus perks like free travel and a great pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's journeys while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong customer focus, good interpersonal skills, and team leadership ability required.
- Other info: Flexible shifts across various stations; personal transport needed for commuting.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight. Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.
The Reward
- Opportunities to work on rest days or to do overtime could increase your annual earnings.
- Some Rail Operators earn up to £30,000 per annum plus regional allowance.
- On top of your salary, we offer a variety of valuable benefits, including:
- Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
- Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
- 75% discount on many other train operating companies
- Full training and support with development
- Excellent pension scheme
About the job:
To lead a team of station assistants to provide a safe environment whilst delivering excellent customer service at all times. To ensure that customers are extended a welcome to the station, are kept well informed and are assisted as necessary. To ensure that all areas are kept clean and well presented. As a Rail Operator 2 Supervisor GPR (General Purpose Relief), you will cover a variety of shifts at different stations and cannot rely on public transport to get to/from work and will require your own mode of motorised transport.
Your main responsibilities will be:
- Lead and direct staff in the provision of a safe, courteous, helpful service at all times.
- Lead and direct staff in the provision of a safe, clean and well-presented customer environment, ensuring that the tasks detailed in the cleaning schedules are maintained.
- Undertake emergency procedures and implement evacuation procedures when required.
- When the Duty Station Manager is not in attendance, maintain signing on/off records for staff under your control, ensuring that members of staff are fit, capable and presentable (including the wearing of name badges) for the duty they are working.
- Ensure that arrangements are made to cover short term and late notice absences and periods of sickness.
- You will be safely dispatching trains from the platform, ensuring all customers are clear of the train whilst observing the correct signal is showing.
- You will need normal colour vision for this position.
- You will need to be flexible in your approach and not afraid to get stuck in with a variety of tasks as you are responsible for your station and making sure it meets the quality and safety standards our customers expect.
- Whether this be cleaning toilets, checking everything is working and safe, clearing up rubbish or providing a helping hand to a customer, you are the face of SWR and can make a difference to someone's day.
As a minimum, you will need to have:
- Able to travel to your location of work within 60 minutes, for all shift times.
- Good general education
- Strong customer focus
- Good interpersonal skills
- Team leadership ability
- Resilience
- Supervisory experience is desirable
- Able to distinguish colours with normal colour vision
Applicants who require a visa must have 6 months remaining at the time of their appointment. Training is full time and you must be able to commit to this.
Working pattern:
Our customers need us all day, every day (except Christmas day) and as part of the stations team, you'll need to be able to work shifts at all times of the day and on every day of the week. On average you will work 37 hours per week over 5 days, including a mixture of early, late and night shifts. As this is a GPR role, you will be required to work a variety of shifts across several local stations and you must be able to get to each location for the required start times. For this reason, personal transport is necessary. Shifts start times include: 06:00 - 15:30 / 15:30 - 23:00 / 22:00 - 06:00.
We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent. We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.
If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.
Rail Operator 2 (S) GPR employer: South Western Railway
Contact Detail:
South Western Railway Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Rail Operator 2 (S) GPR
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research South Western Railway and understand their values, services, and what they stand for. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Having someone inside can give you insights and even a referral, which can make all the difference in landing that Rail Operator role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to customer service and team leadership. Think about examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills and resilience, as these are key for the Rail Operator position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining South Western Railway and ready to contribute to our mission of connecting communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Rail Operator 2 (S) GPR
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Rail Operator 2 role. We want to see how you can lead a team and provide excellent customer service, so don’t hold back!
Show Off Your Customer Focus: Since this role is all about delivering top-notch service, share examples of how you've gone above and beyond for customers in the past. We love seeing that passion for helping others shine through!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Western Railway
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to research South Western Railway. Understand their values, mission, and the services they provide. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in being part of their team.
✨Demonstrate Customer Service Skills
As a Rail Operator 2 Supervisor, excellent customer service is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've gone above and beyond for customers. Think about how you can relate these experiences to the role and the importance of creating a welcoming environment.
✨Show Your Leadership Qualities
Since you'll be leading a team, it's crucial to highlight your leadership skills. Be ready to discuss situations where you've successfully managed a team or resolved conflicts. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and direct staff effectively.
✨Be Ready for Shift Work Questions
Given the nature of the role, expect questions about your flexibility with shift patterns. Be honest about your availability and how you plan to manage travel to different stations. Showing that you're prepared for the demands of the job will set you apart.
