Job Introduction

As a signaller based in one of Network Rail's signal boxes in the Kent Route, your decisions will have a direct impact on ensuring safe and efficient train travel along your assigned part of the network. Your role will involve managing signals and contributing to the smooth operation of passenger and freight journeys, as well as the safety of maintenance colleagues working on the tracks. 

Network Rail values diverse backgrounds and experiences within its signalling community, placing emphasis on transferable skills and behaviours rather than requiring formal rail experience. While prior rail experience is not necessary, any previous work involving concentration, safety-critical tasks, and effective communication with others would be advantageous. 

It's important to note that all prospective candidates who are offered a conditional role will be required to pass a drug and alcohol test. Failing the test will result in the withdrawal of your application. Positive results from the drug and alcohol test will be securely stored in the Sentinel database. Additionally, a five-year suspension from applying for safety critical roles, roles requiring PTS certification, or Key Safety roles on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced for candidates who test positive. 

For more information and a better understanding of the signaller role, you can watch the video provided. It will give you insight into the responsibilities and expectations associated with the position

Network Rail places a high emphasis on safety and reliability, and as a signaller, your decisions will play a crucial role in achieving these goals. 

Main Responsibility

As a signaller, you will have a range of important responsibilities within your role. Here are the main aspects of the job: 

1. Operating Signals: You will be responsible for managing and operating the signals within your assigned part of the network. This involves monitoring and controlling the movement of trains to ensure they travel safely and efficiently. 

1. Team Collaboration: While you will be part of a signal box team, there will be times when you need to work independently for extended periods. You should be comfortable working alone and be able to handle the responsibilities that come with it. 

1. Shift Work: Signallers often work in shifts to ensure 24/7 coverage. You should be prepared to work a variety of shifts, including days, nights, and weekends. Flexibility in your availability is important to meet the demands of the role. 

1. Emergency Situations: In the event of incidents such as trespassers on the line or disruptions to train services, you will need to utilize your training and skills to handle these situations effectively. Your priority will be to ensure the safety of passengers and facilitate their onward travel. 

1. Self-Development: Network Rail values commitment to self-development and continuous learning. You will be provided with comprehensive training to develop both technical and non-technical skills. This includes attending a 10-week residential signaller training course, followed by supervised on-the-job training and the opportunity to practice new skills in a real work environment. 

By embracing the training opportunities and continuously improving your skills, you will be equipped to handle the challenges and responsibilities of the role effectively. The role of a signaller is both meaningful and critical to the safe and efficient operation of the railway network. 

The Ideal Candidate

Are you the ideal candidate for the signaller role? If you possess the following qualities and skills, we want to hear from you: 

Are you eager to continuously learn and absorb a significant amount of information to become proficient in the role? 

1. Can you operate efficiently and make confident, safety-critical decisions on your own? 

1. Are you a great teammate who can collaborate effectively and contribute to the overall success of the signal box team? 

1. Do you have a keen eye for detail to ensure accuracy and precision in your work? 

1. Are you able to remain calm and composed in intense and challenging railway environments? 

If you answered "yes" to these questions, we would love to hear from you. Apply now for the signaller role! 

Additionally, to proceed to the interview stage, you must achieve a passing score on the application screening questions and meet the minimum pass benchmarks in the psychometric testing. You should also be within a 60-minute commuting distance from the location(s) you are applying for and have access to your own transport to accommodate the different shift work schedules. Furthermore, the role requires working on days, nights, and weekends, and compliance with drug and alcohol testing, medical assessment, and BPSS pre-employment checks is necessary for employment offers. 

These criteria ensure that the selected candidates are well-suited for the demanding and safety-critical nature of the signaller role. 

Package Description

Package Description 

Are you ready to make a real impact on millions of lives across the UK? Join our dynamic Signalling team and play a crucial role in keeping trains moving smoothly and passengers safe! 

What is Signalling? 

At its core, Signalling is like a sophisticated traffic light system for the railway. It's the backbone that ensures trains navigate our vast network of routes safely and efficiently. 

Why Signallers Matter 

Without our dedicated Signallers, the entire railway system would come to a standstill, affecting passengers nationwide. We exist to maintain a safe, reliable, and efficient railway, connecting communities and driving economic prosperity. Safety is our number one priority. 

A Day in the Life of a Signaller 

Curious about what it's like to be a Signaller? Hear firsthand from our current Signallers about their experiences and daily duties. Visit our Signalling Careers webpage or connect with our Signallers to get all your questions answered. 

https://networkrail.career-inspiration.com/app/insiders   

What's it like to be a signaller? - Network Rail 

Life as a woman signaller at Network Rail – WISE (wisecampaign.org.uk) 

Exciting Career Opportunities 

Looking for a meaningful career where every day counts? Join Network Rail as a Signaller, and you'll be taking your first step towards an exciting future.

We are recruiting for grade 2 signallers on a permanent contract based in Ashford, Kent East Signalling Centre, Three Bridges ROC & Hastings.

Grade 2 salary: £32,210  

 Closing date: Thursday 10th August

Join Our Team 

If you're within a 60-minute commute of one of these locations: Ashford: TN23 1EZ, East Kent Sig Centre: ME7 4QN, Three Bridges ROC: RH10 1HW or Hastings: TN32 5DJ and have access to your own transport to accommodate shift work, we want to hear from you! Take the first step toward an exciting career with Network Rail by applying today. 

Visit our Signalling Opportunities webpage for more information: 

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/campaigns/signalling-opportunities 

Are you ready to take on a role where your decisions matter and have a direct impact on the safety and efficiency of train journeys? Join our Kent Route's Signalling team and be a vital part of keeping passengers and freight moving smoothly across the network. Then click ‘apply for this job’ now! 

Note: Signaller vacancies often receive high numbers of applications, and the vacancy may close early when we reach the maximum number of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible. 

Click ‘apply for this job’ to apply 

About the Company

Network Rail is an organisation that places a strong emphasis on the importance of people and their safety. Our primary role is to operate a safe, reliable, and efficient railway network, serving both customers and communities. We are dedicated to getting people and goods to their destinations and supporting the country's economic prosperity. Safety is our top priority. 

As part of our vision of Putting Passengers First, Network Rail aims to be a company that prioritises the needs of passengers and freight users. We strive to be an easy-to-engage-with, efficient, and dependable partner. We aim to be recognised as an industry leader and a company that employees can take pride in working for. 

Network Rail is committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and actively work to create a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise the importance of diversity and are actively working to support underrepresented groups within their team. We also provide flexibility in working arrangements to promote a healthy work-life balance for their employees. 

As an inclusive employer, Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We value the skills and talents that disabled individuals bring to the workplace and provide support and reasonable adjustments during the application process. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments and additional arrangements to support applicants during the application process. If you require any specific accommodations or have accessibility needs, you can indicate them by adding a note to your application. This allows us to better understand and cater to your requirements.  

If you're unsure about the available options or need advice on accessibility support, you can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive. Evenbreak is a resource that provides guidance and information on accessibility and inclusion in the workplace. They can offer valuable insights and suggestions to help you navigate the application process more effectively. 

By communicating your needs and seeking appropriate support, Network Rail aims to ensure that all applicants have an equal opportunity to showcase their skills and talents. 

The signaller recruitment journey at Network Rail involves several stages, including the application, virtual ability assessment, providing identification documents, virtual assessments (including scenario assessment and live video interview), offer discussion, pre-employment screening, medical assessment (including hearing and eyesight examination), and drug and alcohol testing. The recruitment team is available to answer any queries and provide support throughout the process. 

Network Rail's diversity strategy, titled "Everyone Matters," aims to create a more open, diverse, and inclusive organisation by 2024. They strive to reflect the communities they serve and provide an accessible and inclusive experience for passengers. 

Network Rail places the utmost importance on safety and we consider it a fundamental aspect of our operations. When applying for a position at Network Rail, it is essential to demonstrate your personal dedication to safety within your application. Highlight any relevant experiences or examples where you have prioritized safety in your previous roles or activities. 

As for the Signaller recruitment journey, here is a short video that explains what to expect and how to prepare for the recruitment process.  

The video will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the different stages involved in the recruitment process, including the application, virtual ability assessment, identification documents, virtual assessment, offer stage, pre-employment screening, medical assessment, and drug and alcohol testing. It will also offer guidance on how to prepare effectively for each stage of the process. 

By familiarising yourself with the Signaller recruitment journey and adequately preparing for each step, you can enhance your chances of success in securing a position at Network Rail. 

For further inquiries or assistance with the recruitment process, candidates can contact Network Rail via email at support@networkrail.zendesk.com. 

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd