Safety Critical - Multi-skilled Railway Operative (Rail Operative 3)
VolkerRail Major Projects is an expert in collaborative working through joint ventures and alliance schemes. Collaborative working agreements are a proven strategy for delivering large, complex railway projects, and through its strong relationships with other major contractors, VolkerRail Major Projects has helped to deliver several of the biggest rail projects over the last decade.
The SID is a fully integrated team that will bring together the strengths, capabilities, and knowledge of the partners and Network Rail. It will own the renewals work bank, manage it at portfolio level and drive a transition to a production management ethos. The SID is commercially aligned and jointly incentivised creating a ‘share in success’ environment. Business partners within the alliance will generate profit through performance against the Final Determination. The four partners, VolkerFitzpatrick, Octavius, Atkins, and VolkerRail are aligned to the core asset disciplines with the fifth partner, Network Rail Minor Works, being multi- disciplinary for low complexity, low value works.
We have a great opportunity for two Rail Operative 3 to work on the track renewals workbank of the SID project providing safety critical support to the project team based in Sussex or Kent area.
Key duties
- Lead and coordinate rail operational access across assigned projects, ensuring safe and efficient delivery of planned works.
- Act as a team leader on site, providing clear direction and promoting high standards of leadership, safety, and performance.
- Manage and oversee work groups on rail infrastructure, taking responsibility as the person in charge where required.
- Plan and integrate operational access arrangements, working closely with possession planners and SSOW teams to ensure successful execution.
- Prepare site documentation, worksite briefings, and operational diagrams to support safe delivery.
- Maintain strong communication with Rail Operations leadership and project stakeholders, providing clear updates and reports.
- Deliver safety briefings, toolbox talks, and ensure compliance with all health, safety, and rail industry standards.
- Conduct site audits and risk assessments, promoting a safety-first culture aligned with zero-incident objectives.
- Undertake Responsible Manager and site management duties, ensuring works are delivered in line with project programmes.
- Record and report shift activities, maintaining accurate logs and escalating key information to senior project teams.
- Represent the Rail Operations team professionally on site and in the office, maintaining high levels of discipline and conduct.
- Attend and contribute to planning and operational meetings as required.
- Carry out safety-critical duties in line with the Rule Book (GE/RT8000) once trained and competent.
About you
We’re looking for a motivated and safety-focused rail professional with proven experience operating in an ES or Nominated Person role within the rail industry. You’ll bring strong leadership capability, a proactive mindset, and the confidence to take ownership of operational activities on rail infrastructure.
You’ll hold valid PTS certification and be competent as a COSS, ES or NP, with a solid understanding of safety-critical responsibilities. A full UK driving licence is essential.
You’ll be an excellent communicator, with strong written and spoken English skills, and be comfortable producing clear documentation and reports. Strong IT skills are key, including experience using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint), along with industry systems such as EPIC and V-Forms.
You’ll demonstrate a positive attitude to safety at all times, with the ability to assess risk, challenge unsafe behaviours, and promote a zero-incident culture. A proactive, self-motivated approach is essential, alongside the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
As a natural leader, you’ll be confident managing and leading work groups, while also supporting the development of others by mentoring junior team members.
Desirable qualifications and competencies include CDM awareness, IOSH, First Aid at Work, Risk Assessment, Lift Planning, Responsible Manager, SAC, Fire Warden, ALO, MC/CC, as well as additional rail competencies such as SW, PC, AP, Points Operator, Level Crossing Attendant, and small tools.
If your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.
Why work with us?
VolkerRail is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.
By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerRail are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.
We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees.
We offer a range of benefits, including:
- Competitive salary
- Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
- Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
- Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
- Employee Assistance programme
- Mental health, physical health, and financial support
Fairness, inclusion and respect
We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive. You can read more about our FIR Strategy as well as our partners here Fairness, Inclusion and Respect | VolkerWessels UK
If you need support with your application, please contact us at careers@volkerwessels.co.uk
Additional information
Note for Recruitment Agencies:
Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release.
We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed to careers@volkerwessels.co.uk
VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.
