Brief Description
A critical part of the work we do is the day-to-day upkeep of the network. Our maintenance teams make sure every part of our infrastructure – such as signals and power supplies, or assets such as track and bridges – is maintained and in good working order.
Maintenance is delivered 24/7, 365 days a year, carrying out planned works as well as rapidly responding to faults as they arise.You will be based in one of our depots covering defined geographic areas. Depots on Western Route and located between Paddington and Penzance (including, but not limited to, Slough, Reading, Swindon, Westbury, Gloucester, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and Truro). Network Rail's maintenance structure is split into distinct disciplines:
•Track (or P-WAY)
•Overhead Line
•Electrification and Plant
•Signalling and Telecoms
About our people and the recruitment process – We are hiring into many of our depots and different disciplines at Operative, Technician and Team leader level (dependent on experience). This application process is to express an interest in working in the Maintenance Delivery team on the Western Route at Network Rail. Our assessment process will identify the best place for you.
We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! If you are unsure where you fit or if you meet all the requirements? Let us decide.
About the role (External)
Your Main Responsibilities will be to:
You will be working within a team (or gang) to safely and efficiently delivering maintenance tasks to keep the railway running safely and smoothly for passengers and freight users.
The day-to-day role is extremely varied, in terms of the work sites visited, the type of work carried out, as well as the assets/equipment that are maintained.The districts that each maintenance team cover contain a diverse range of equipment, both in terms of age and complexity (potentially anything from the Victorian era to modern systems that require a laptop and AI to perform a diagnostic).
You will be carrying out planned maintenance (knowing the work you and your team will be going to perform) and faulting (working in a reactive way, under time pressure to fix an issue).The common tasks that most Operatives undertake are as follows (this may vary by area and for Technician and Team Leader roles):
•Prepare the team's van and equipment (spares, tools etc.) for the coming shift
•Drive the van to and from site, ensuring the team gets to where they need to be
•Support the team with manual maintenance activities
•Provide lookout duties when required
•All of the above must be underpinned by safe working at all times
Technological advances are changing the way maintenance is delivered.This is a trend that is expected to continue in the future.Network Rail's Intelligent Infrastructure programme is a move towards a more proactive way of scheduling and performing maintenance, using monitoring data and predictive analytics to anticipate failure and make earlier, better-informed decisions. Equally, assets themselves are becoming more and more technologically complex, particularly with respect to signalling and communications technology.
The different disciplines:
Distribution & Plant - You'll be working with distribution and plant equipment which is instrumental in powering the railway network. With your willingness to learn, you'll develop a huge range of technical skills across a range of manual, electrical and digital equipment.
Due to the technical requirements of the work required in the Distribution and Plant team(s), roles in this discipline begin at Technician level. As such, you must hold:
· City & Guilds 2365 (accompanied by City & Guilds 2382 would be preferable)
· An advanced apprenticeship in railway engineering with an electrical bias;
· A course deemed equivalent to either of the above, such as courses provided by the armed services; and/or
· City & Guilds – 236 Part 2, 2360, 2330, 2365, 2357, 8202 or 5357 and 2381; along with BTEC - Level 3 Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Electrical Installation, and EAL - Level 3 Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Electrical Installation.
Off Track - You'll be responsible for maintaining, inspecting and repairing the land alongside the track network to keep the railway safe and efficient. This includes arboriculture, vegetation management, drainage, level crossing surfaces, drainage and ancillary structures.
This role requires some working from heights, especially when doing tree management.
Overhead Lines - Working with high voltage overhead lines you'll ensure our railway has the power to run the trains. You will use various types of specialist tools and equipment to measure, adjust, repair, and modify the equipment that keep Britain's railway running, often working at height. You will be working with both mechanical and electrical systems.
Rail Testing & Lubrication - You'll be responsible for the inspection of the rails using both visual and NDT techniques. You will also inspect, maintain and repair the rail lubrication equipment ensuring the track network is kept safe and efficient.Due to the role being heavily skill focused on detailed inspection and the maintenance of lubricators the work will involve working at a low level.
Signalling Maintenance - Signalling Maintenance (also known as Signalling & Telecoms or S&T) discipline undertakes Maintenance, fault rectification and renewals works on a wide range of equipment and technology including mechanical, electrical and computer-based systems. The primary purpose of this system is to maintain a safe distance between following trains on the same track, To safeguard the movements of trains at junctions and at crossings, to prevent movements which could foul the path of other trains and to regulate the passage of trains according to the service density and speed required.
Telecoms - You'll be responsible for maintaining, inspecting, testing, and repairing the Railway telecoms network to keep the railway safe and efficient. This is a technical role covering a wide range of equipment and technology, from legacy to cutting edge communications equipment. Principally radio and digital communications systems over fibre optic cables, now moving towards new Ethernet technologies.All with the purpose of enabling safe, secure, and reliable communications between drivers and signallers, and from asset to asset.
Track Maintenance - You'll be responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing the track network, (also known as the Permanent Way or P-WAY) to keep the railway safe and efficient. This is a very manual role as you'll be working with rails, sleepers and ballast that support the trains, together with their associated drainage and ancillary structures. .
Welding & Grinding - You will be part of a Welding & Griding team, supporting the Track organisation in our Maintenance Teams by joining rails using thermite welding or repairing the rails using MMA welding techniques. You will also be supporting the Track Maintenance function with inspection of the performance critical Switches and Crossings assets.
An attention to detail is critical as you will be working to very high tolerance levels to ensure the safety of the rail network. Due to the role being detailed inspection and the repair of the rails the work will involve working at a low level, sometimes under tents whilst on track.
You will ideally have
There is no specific prior work experience required. We focus on the right behaviours and personal qualities that fit the work. We provide the competency and skills development training to be a success in the role and develop a career in rail.
·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 may be working on tracks alongside trains moving at over 100mph. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety within your application.
· Teamwork – the ability to create good personal relationships, be supportive of others and play their part in the team structure. Also, understand how the tasks you perform the impact on the wider Network Rail team.
· Communication skills are critical in a safety critical environment – Clear spoken communication with colleagues, listening to each other and written reports. We want people who are able to challenge and build rapport and trust with colleagues.
· Proactive planning – This can be punctuality, preparing for tasks, or being proactive in supporting the team.
· Working under pressure – intense and challenging events that can occur on the railway, you need to be resilient, adaptable and remain calm under pressure.
· Follow rules and construction - It is important that you are diligent, understand and respect the rules and the standards set. You must also be comfortable taking guidance and instructions from your colleagues and acting on them without hesitation.
· Willingness and ability to learn – The rail industry is unique in terms of some of the tasks done, the environment you work in and the equipment you use. You will need to be inquisitive, engage with the training, and able to learn and deliver new skills.
· Ability to drive – Driving to key sites is a core part of the role, so an ability to drive company vehicles is a must.
· In Distribution and plant only - Due to the technical requirements of the work, roles in this discipline begin at Technician level. You must hold City and Guilds (19th edition) electrician or …. Electrician apprenticeships.
What could set you apart
·Demonstratable experience in a safety critical environment will be an advantage to understand the key role safety plays. You may be working on tracks alongside trains moving at over 100mph.
·Ideally hold (or be working towards) an NVQ 1 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.