Mechanical Fitter

Location: Bo'ness, West Lothian, Scotland (nr Edinburgh)
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Working Hours: This is a permanent full-time position. 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday.

About the Society

The Scottish Railway Preservation Society operates passenger trains on the five-mile Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway on around 150 days per year, with a busy programme of special events and welcomed over 50,000 visitors in 2023.

As one of the country’s leading heritage railways, we have a reputation for high standards of customer service and commercial success.

Our museum tells the story of the history of Scottish railway industry and our collection has been recognised as being of national significance.

We have a large, diverse audience and we rely upon talented people who are able to demonstrate exceptional skills and personal characteristics to deliver the outstanding experience we offer to visitors.

The railway also hosts filming and location hire, and our connection to the mainline at Manuel enables trains to operate to and from the B&KR and further afield in the UK mainland.

Role Description

We are looking for a Mechanical Fitter, someone who has a passion for railways that will be responsible for delivering safe, reliable coaches for public operation on both the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway and the National Network.

If you are methodical, thorough, focused on detail and driven by the highest standards, the Mechanical Fitters role may be for you. The role is tasked with delivering safe, reliable coaches to the highest of standards. You will be able to demonstrate role model behaviours, with commitment and dedication, working with the Societies engineering team.

Our Engineering Department carries out the planned maintenance, component overhaul, repair and refurbishment on Mark 1 Coaches which operate on the BKR Branch Line & National Network.

• The mechanical fitter will undertake tasks, as directed by the Team Leader, in accordance with the relevant Maintenance Plans/ Standards and ensure that records of work are kept as required.
• Cover for the Team Leader during periods of sickness and leave.
• Assist in ensuring Department meets Planned Workload.
• Undertake any other reasonable tasks that post holder is able to perform.

A small team of full & part time staff, as well as a group of volunteers carry out the above tasks.

Experience

The successful candidate should have served a recognised engineering apprenticeship and hold engineering qualifications, with minimum 2 years experience working in an engineering role. Experience of working in a railway engineering is desirable but not essential.

Key skills and attributes

This role requires someone who has proven rail experience, with a can-do attitude, and who takes responsibility for getting tasks done in a safe and compliant manner. A customer-focused approach with a willingness to deliver high standards of service to our visitors.

You should have experience of working as part of a team, be an excellent communicator who understands the importance of building and nurturing relationships with our vast network of stakeholders including our neighbours along the 5 miles of the B&KR.

The successful applicant will work within our Engineering Department and have the engineering experience to maintain, repair and refurbish our rolling stock to the required Engineering and Health & Safety standards.

You will play your part in ensuring the ongoing compliance with Society policies, procedures and guidelines and placing the health and safety of visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors at the forefront of our thinking.

You will assist the Engineering Manager and Team Leader in meeting the departments ongoing maintenance plan and Societies Rolling stock requirements.

Key responsibilities:

The post-holder will be responsible for the following key deliverables (either directly or within the Engineering team):

• Upholding the values of the Society and setting an example for others.
• Ensure coaches are maintained as per the relevant Maintenance Documents
• Ensure tasks are carried out in line with Health and Safety standards
• Ensure the work space is maintained and all redundant materials are disposed off in the correct manner.
• Ensure all tooling is fit for purpose.
• Ensure tasks are completed in a timely manner.

Person Specification

Essential

• Can demonstrate a minimum of 2 years previous experience of working in an engineering environment.
• Can demonstrate a proven ability to uphold and promote the vision, values and behaviours of an organisation.
• Evidences the ability to prioritise, work under pressure and deliver to agreed deadlines and within safety parameters.
• Can evidence that they are a skilled communicator who can manage to work with people from a range of backgrounds and
• can nurture colleagues to get the best from them
• Demonstrates excellent relationship-building, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Can demonstrate their ability to work as part of a team.
• Is willing to undertake any training that is required to maintain existing qualifications or to gain further competencies as required by the organisation.
• Flexible approach to hours, including work at weekends, school holidays, evenings and public holidays and in the event of emergencies.
• Able to travel independently around the local area.
• Able to pass medical examination (including for colour blindness).

Desirable

• Has worked in a railway engineering environment.
• Able to explain why this is important and the risks of not doing so.
• Can evidence good organisational skills and detailed understanding of safety requirements.
• Understands and can explain the importance of good communication with the workforce.
• Understands the importance of being a team player and why this is important.
• Has a positive attitude to professional development.

If you believe that you are the right person for this role, send your CV and covering letter highlighting why you would be suitable for this job, please click the ‘Apply’ button to submit your application.

The closing date will be 31st December 2024, and interviews will take place at Bo’ness Station the week commencing 13th January 2025.