Operative- Talent Pool; Disciplines and Locations

About Network Rail

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

Bedford, GB

EM HRSS (348103) G5

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments we value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

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 an operative you’ll work outdoors in a small 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 transferable 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.

Please note:

If successful, there may be a requirement to work on call in this role.

Operatives can specialise in a range of disciplines but for this role you’ll become a specialist in the following areas:

• Signalling & Telecoms
  :
  You'll be working with equipment including signals that control when trains can run, level crossings, and points systems. With your willingness to learn, you’ll develop a large range of technical skills across manual, electrical and digital equipment.
• Track
  :
  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.
• Offtrack
  :
  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.
• Undertrack
  :
  You’ll be responsible for maintaining, inspecting and repairing equipment under the track network to keep the railway safe and efficient. This role has a heavy skill focus on joinery, lubrication and welding.
• Distribution & Plant
  :
  You'll work as part of a team to keep power flowing through the electrified rails safely and efficiently. Day to day you’ll work on the nuts, bolts and cables of the electrification system making sure that the railway has the power to run the trains, signals, and stations.
• Overhead lines
  :
  Working with high voltage systems you’ll ensure our railway has the power to run the trains. Working at height is routine, and you'll use various types of specialist tools and equipment to measure, adjust, repair, and modify cables and wires that keeps Britain’s railway running.

Our operatives work outside in all conditions, at all times of the year, day, or night. You’ll 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.

The team depends on you. You’re the one who shows up first and leaves last, who makes sure the van and equipment are checked and ready for every shift, and who…