Operative

Operative [Signalling Maintenance] - Didcot Depot

**Location**:
Didcot, GB

**Department Name**:
Wales & Western Region

**About Network Rail**:
At Network Rail, we’re part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain and operate our network.

Now is a fantastic time and join our team in Wales and Western region as we finalise the reforms to our maintenance organisation which will deliver:

- A safer and more reliable and punctual service for passengers and employees - quicker fault fixes by more agile multi-disciplined response teams.
- Individual rostering - enabling us to send the right number or people to fix a fault.
- Multi-skilling - investing in the knowledge and skills of our people so they are better equipped to fix the most common faults themselves.
- Accelerated and improved technology deployment - we have a raft of labour and life-saving technology ready to be rolled out.

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.** **When you're part of our team, you matter to us and you matter to millions. **Watch our video to find out more**

**Brief Description**:
You’ll help keep our nation moving every single day. This is 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 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.

**About the role (External)**:
Operatives can specialise in a range of disciplines but for this role you’ll become a specialist in

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 huge range of technical skills across a range of manual, electrical and digital equipment.

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.

**You matter to your team**

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 drives the team from site to site. Every day you’ll support your team in maintaining equipment and will provide lookout duties to keep the whole team safe.

**Your skills matter**

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:

- Teamworking Our maintenance teams depend on each other and you’ll be able to work closely with the team to deliver safe and efficient work delivery.
- Communication You’ll have good communication skills so you can work safely and effectively.
- Proactive planning Being punctual, having the van and equipment ready and anticipating the needs of the team are essential to keeping our passengers and freight moving.
- Working under pressure Working outdoors in all conditions, and with trains passing close by means you’ll need to remain calm under pressure.
- 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 You’ll consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures, and instructions.

**It matters that this is the right role for you**

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 work outside in all weathers and so you’ll be comfortable working in different conditions.
- Driving - As an operative you’ll also need a driving licence (category B) so you can drive Network Rail vehicles.

**You matter to us**

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 skills and non-tech