Technician [Off Track] - Helmsdale
About Network Rail
Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. Watch our video to find out more!
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About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!
We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.
We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer 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.
Scotland's Railway is part of this large family and it covers a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users, drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues and protecting safety and wellbeing.
Brief Description
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 Technician you'll work outdoors in a team, supporting essential maintenance to keep the railway running safely and smoothly for passengers and freight users.
Our Technician 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.
Note for Internal Candidates: there may be a requirement to work on call in this role if you opt to take the GTRM IMC25 contract.
As part of the application process, you will be required to complete some pre-screening questions. Please read each question carefully before responding.
About the role (External)
Our Technicians provide the essential link between the Team Leader and the team's Operatives.
Technicians specialise in a range of disciplines and for this role you'll become a specialist in 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 vegetation management, drainage and ancillary structures.
Our Technicians work outside in all conditions, at all times of the year, day or night. You could be involved in demanding manual work, often with the need to transport kit across tricky terrain. Being safety focused, respectful of rules and a team player will be critical as you'll often be working next to moving trains travelling at high speed.
You matter to your team
A natural team player, you'll also be able to lead the team when asked by the team leader. You'll use your skills to deliver work safely and will check the team has the right competencies to meet our strict safety standards. You'll also be a role model for safe working behaviours and be confident to challenge any potential risks to safety, so that everyone gets home safe every day.
You matter to us
Today's Technicians can go onto become tomorrow's Team Leaders.
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 and non-technical skills. If you're joining us from another industry, the structured training will give you the skills and confidence to move into a rewarding career in rail.
Your skills matter
Our Technicians play a vital 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:
• Leadership - You're able to lead, motivate and direct a team for safe and efficient work delivery.
• Effective communicator - You'll need strong communication skills and be able to deliver clear instructions to the team and other colleagues.
• Technical skills -You'll have knowledge and experience of inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques in the discipline that you are applying for.
• Safety - You consistently role model safe behaviours, can arrange and implement safe systems of work, and are confident to challenge if you think a situation is unsafe.
• Problem solver - You'll be persistent in finding safe and effective solutions. You'll consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures and instructions to issues you find in your working environment.
• Willingness to learn - You'll consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures and instructions.
• Relevant qualification - You'll ideally hold an NVQ Level 1 or 2 linked to the discipline you are applying for. Or you have achieved an equivalent level of relevant experience.
It matters that this is the right role for you.
Here's some additional information which might help you.
• Shifts - the Technician role involves a changing shift pattern including days, nights and weekends.
• Outdoor working - Our Technicians 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 (if not already held). This will include a hearing and eyesight examination. If you're an external candidate - you will also be required to undergo BPSS pre-employment checks.
• Driving - As a technician 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.
Essential Criteria
• Experience of arranging and implementing safe systems of work
• Knowledge of how to organise and control the safe and efficient delivery of work
• Strong communication skills, both in person and in writing
• Knowledge of discipline-specific maintenance, inspection, faulting and renewal techniques
• Willing and able to work shifts in all weathers
• Meet the required benchmark for application screening questions (all applicants)]]>