Location
Ashford, GB
Department Name
Kent Recruitment Multiple Locations
About Network Rail
Are you looking to join an organisation where you do meaningful work every day? As an Operative you'll be starting a rewarding career with Network Rail.
Our role is to run a safe, reliable and efficient railway, serving customers and communities. We exist to get people and goods where they need to be and to support our country's economic prosperity.
We're undertaking an ambitious change. Our vision is Putting Passengers First – we're a company that is on the side of passengers and freight users; that is easy to engage with and is an efficient and dependable partner
; a company people are proud to work for ; instinctively recognised as an industry leader.
We're an organisation where people matter. We matter to millions. Everyone matters is our diversity strategy. By 2024 we will be an even more open, diverse and inclusive organisation that is better at reflecting the communities that we serve. By putting our passengers first, our strategy will help us to provide a more accessible and more inclusive experience for you.
Brief Description
Kent are holding a talent pool Operative assessment centre in January and want you to apply if you're interested in becoming an Operative for Kent. Successful applicants will be invited to attend an assessment centre where you will be briefed on the Operative role. If successful at the assessment centre your application will be considered for our vacant posts or added to our talent pool where we will stay in touch and let you know of future Operative vacancies as they become available .
Working in all weathers on the frontline, you'll carry out everything from maintenance to faulting. What's more, you'll develop your management skills by deputising for the Team Leader.
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 a Operative you'll work outdoors in a 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 transferrable 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.
And if you make the grade then you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that recently joined the top 50 in the Glassdoor's 2021 Best Places to Work.
About The Role (External)
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 so you will become a specialist in one of our disciplines
- Track
- Off Track
- Distribution and plant
- Signalling Maintenance
- Conductor Rail Equipment
We are currently recruiting across ALL locations throughout Kent
All disciplines will require availability for night shifts.
You're important to us!
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!
Our Operatives play a key role in our maintenance teams. You don't necessarily need rail experience, but you do need to show how your transferrable skills meet the following Essential Criteria required for this role:
- 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.
Here's Some Additional Information Which Might Help You.
- 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
How To Apply (External)
Salary Starting from £30351, dependent on discipline and any competencies held
Been referred by a friend, then please complete this form
Network Rail Benefits – To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
Closing date: 6 th January 2025
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.
Click ‘
apply now' to apply. -
We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone!
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.
Network Rail Benefits – To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
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