Competence Development Specialist - Rail Operations

Location: Middlesborough/North East area.

Salary: Circa £67,000 - £71,000 plus;

- Strong pension scheme with company contributions.
- Support for professional certifications & training.
- Hybrid working options where possible.
- Health & wellbeing initiatives, including EAP support.
- Company-wide employee benefits and discounts.

Summary
A leading provider in the rail freight and intermodal logistics sector, is seeking an experienced Competence Development Specialist to join the business and contribute to the achievement of the day-to-day running of UK rail operations.
You will be responsible for the competence monitoring, development and assessment of the rail operations team (principally train drivers), in order to meet the on-going business requirements.

Specific role-related tasks and activities

• Deliver driver/trainee driver assessments utilising practical rides, written exams, computer-based assessment, and driver simulating scenarios in accordance with company and industry standards.
• Prepare and conduct assessments and examination of drivers and ground staff operations staff, from training stage, PQA and on an on-going basis.
• Conduct bi-annual examinations in rules and regulations, traction knowledge and practical driving skills.
• Maintain related competence records, certification, and route knowledge within EDS.
• Undertake practical train handling and performance assessments - practical and theory, using locomotive data recorders.
• Undertake traction and route training / assessment of train drivers and location-specific training for groundstaff.
• Where required, carry out investigations into operating incidents, including SPADs, accidents, local incidents, staff competence, staff attendance issues recommending and taking actions as necessary and as authorised (e.g. including removal from duties where competence concerns are identified.
• Hold Safety Review Panels post incident
• Create Competence Development Programs for staff
• Interpret and analyse download data recordings (Qtron) and undertake investigations using Root Cause analysis.
• Undertake routine location inspections as required (level 1, monthly), ensuring compliance with any LWIs, polices and standards.
• Lead/ participate in all staff briefings, safety briefs, communications and initiatives to continuously improve safety
• First Line 'On Call' commitment and when required attend to group incidents as requested
• Support and develop route knowledge and familiarisation strategies at local level, ensuring driver/ shunter productivity (e.g. examining and auditing route cards)
• Conduct out of hours monitoring where necessary, to include weekend work;
• Inspect drivers/ shunter weekly timesheet, claims for additional hours, and challenge when not satisfied;

Key Job requirements

• Thorough understanding of the principles of safe and efficient railway operation including but not limited to the application of operating instruction, policies, procedures, rule book, railways standards;
• Experience of managing people within an operational environment;
• Experience of working with unions at local level.

Qualifications and Training

• Competent and medically capable of driving trains, with at least 3 years' recent practical experience.
• Hold a Train Driving Licence
• Hold industry standard training/ assessing qualifications
• Knowledge of Rules and Regulations as applicable to rail operations;
• Competent in Level 3 & Level 4 NVQ Assessing
• Competent to undertake investigations using Root Cause Analysis, and to download and interpret Qtron data recorder information/TOLO
• Good IT knowledge e.g. Microsoft packages, and ability to use and interpret data sourced from job-related software (e.g. TOPS/ ERIC/ Qtron).
• Signal sighting desirable
• SPAD management procedure and data collection desirable
• Ability to write concise, factual-based reports to laid down standards, and with the ability to make clear recommendations based on factual evidence.
• Diligent and self-motivated with strong interpersonal skills and effective people management skills;
• Hold a full UK driving licence;