Trainee Senior Conductor - Watford

Your Journey Starts Here – Recruiting Conductors for 2026! Join us as a Trainee Senior Conductor at our Watford depot and play a key role in delivering a safe, reliable, and customer-focused rail service. In this vital frontline role, you’ll help ensure the smooth running of our services by assisting passengers with queries, checking and issuing tickets, and prioritising the safety of both customers and crew.

We’re looking for individuals with experience in cash handling and customer service—whether from retail, hospitality, or another customer-facing environment. You’ll be approachable, confident, and calm under pressure, with excellent communication skills. Flexibility is key, as the role involves working shifts Monday to Saturday, with occasional Sunday shifts as agreed. Due to early starts and late finishes, access to your own transport is recommended.

Please note: We will only be accepting applications from candidates who live within a 60-minute radius of Watford.

What does the role involve?

As part of our onboard team, you’ll be responsible for delivering exceptional customer service on some of the busiest train services in the region. Your role will be varied, engaging, and vital to the overall passenger experience. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing every possible assistance to ensure our customers enjoy a comfortable and pleasant journey.
• Taking responsibility for the safety of our customers and the train throughout the journey.
• Checking and selling the full range of tickets, offering timetable information, assisting with luggage, and ensuring trains are clean and presentable.
• Making regular, emergency, and other necessary public announcements to keep customers informed.
• Completing reports related to ticket irregularities and ensuring accurate documentation.
• Upholding the highest standards of professionalism and customer care at all times.

To apply, you must be 18 years or over and have normal colour vision. For more information on colour vision requirements, please refer to the Ishihara Colour Test.

If you are interested, here’s what happens next;

What to Expect from the Recruitment Process

We know the recruitment journey is thorough, but that’s because the role is important. We’re looking for candidates who can confidently manage both the safety-critical and operational aspects of the role, while delivering an outstanding customer experience. Here’s how the process works:

• Apply Online – Submit a strong application and upload your CV.
• Application Review – Our recruitment team will assess your application.
• Psychometric Testing – If shortlisted, you’ll complete online safety-critical tests (SCAAT, RAAT, and TCT), which take around an hour.
• Interview – Successful candidates will be invited to a competency-based interview, either in person or via MS Teams.
• Offer or Talent Pool – If successful, you may be offered a role immediately or placed in our talent pool for up to 12 months. During this time, you won’t need to reapply—we’ll contact you directly when a vacancy arises.

What is the salary and benefits that come with the job?

• A defined benefit pension from day 1 – one of the best in the UK.
• Free travel on all London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway services for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
• 75% off all other train operating companies for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
• 8 Friends and Family Day passes to gift per annum on our network.
• A 24/7 Virtual GP service for you and your household.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential employee benefit that supports you with personal or work-related issues affecting your home life, work life, health, or wellbeing.
• Our cycle to work scheme with Evans Cycles.
• A retail discount portal - offering savings, discounts and cashback at over 800 retailers and restaurants.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, the advert may close earlier than the published closing date. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing out. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds and ensure no-one receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race/ethnicity, religion, belief and sexual orientation. Applications will be considered from colleagues with 6 months experience, after completion of their probationary period and a full check of absence and disciplinary records.