Operative - Ashford - Kent

About Network Rail

Join Network Rail - Where your Work Matters Every Day!

Looking for a meaningful career? Network Rail is the place to be. As an Operative, youll embark on a rewarding journey with us, playing a crucial role in running a safe, reliable, and efficient railway that serves communities and connects people and goods.

Our vision is clear Putting Passengers First. Were committed to being a company that prioritises passengers and freight users, ensuring exceptional engagement, efficiency, and dependability. We strive to be industry leaders, a company that our employees are proud to work for.

At Network Rail people matter. We value diversity and are dedicated to creating an even more inclusive organisation that better reflects the communities we service by 2024. By putting passengers first, our strategy ensures a more accessible and inclusive experience for all.
Brief Description

An introduction to Kent

We run one of the busiest parts of Britain's railway, with 212 million passenger journeys across our network every year. Our purpose is to connect people, businesses and communities, to support economic growth for all. I firmly believe it is only when we put passengers and freight at the heart of our operations, will we ensure our customers safely get to where they want to go on time, whilst keeping them informed and minimising service impacts during any potential disruption.

Want to learn more about what its like working in our maintenance teams, please click here https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/whats-it-like-to-work-in-maintenance-engineering

We are currently recruiting for the following locations; Ashford, Sittingbourne , Tonbridge, Dover Priory, Hastings Ramsgate

About the role (External)

Choose Your Specialism

As an operative you can specialise in various disciplines such as;

Track: Your responsibility will involve 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 youll be working with rails, sleepers and ballast that support the trains, together with their associated drainage and ancillary structures.

Off Track: Your responsibility will involve 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.

Rail Testing and Lubrication Your responsibility will involve 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 youll 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.

Conductor Rail Equipment: Working with high voltage systems youll 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 keep Britains railway running.

Make an Impact, Every Day

As an operative your role is crucial. Youll work outdoors in all conditions, day, or night, alongside a dedicated team. Safety, respect for riles and teamwork are vital as youll often be working near high- speed trains. Your commitment to self-development is essential and we provide comprehensive training to enhance your technical and non-technical skills.

We Value You

Your dedication matters to us. We rely on you to lead by example, being the first to arrive and the last to leave. Youll ensure the teams equipment is in top shape, driving them safely from site to site. Your role in maintaining equipment and providing lookout duties keeps the entire team safe.

Your Skills Matter

Rail experience is not necessary. Were interested in your transferable skills, such as teamwork, effective communication, proactive planning, working under pressure, following instructions and willingness to learn. Show us your potential and well provide the training for a rewarding rail career. Your growth path at Network Rail is clear, with opportunities to be a technician or a team leader.

Is This the Right Role for You?

Operative roles involve changing shift patterns, including days, nights and weekends. Youll work outdoors in various weather conditions. Our commitment to safety requires drug and alcohol testing, medical assessments, and relevant examinations. A valid driving licence (category B) is necessary (or working towards) as is living within a 60-minute commute of your chosen location.

Diversity and Inclusion Matter

At Network Rail we value diversity and equal opportunities. We welcome applicants for all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, race, gender, religion or any other irrelevant factor. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, we ensure disabled applicants meeting essential criteria receive interviews.

Join Network Rail Today!

At Network Rail we offer competitive salaries within our structure pay framework. When you join us you become part of a dedicated team making a difference every day. Apply now and be part of the future of the rail.