Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. Watch our video to find out more!

We're continuing to build a diverse organisation which is representative of the people we serve. We want to harness the skills and expertise of our people and attract the best talent, to enable a safe and accessible railway for everyone. To learn why inclusion is important to us, please click here.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.

Scotland's Railway is part of this large family and it covers a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users, drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues and protecting safety and wellbeing.

Get your career on track

£30k* starting salary

With a starting salary of £30k* and no experience needed, a career in rail overhead line is one that pays. Whether you’re a school leaver, looking for a career change, or returning to work after some time out, we want to hear from you. No skills or qualifications required, here at Network Rail we’re looking for potential.

So, what’s the catch? Well, life trackside is challenging, you need determination, but the rewards are worth it. Our rail Overhead Line Operatives work outdoors and around the clock to battle everything from fallen trees to overhead power lines to keep Britain moving. Have you got what it takes?

• Internal candidates – please see the ‘how to apply’ section to see the applicable salaries for this role.

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete some pre-screening questions. Please read each question carefully before responding.

What does an Overhead Line Operative do?

Our rail network carries 18,000 passenger trains and 1,000 freight trains across 10,000 miles of track each day. This results in natural wear and tear to the overhead lines that our Overhead Line Operatives help repair.

Overhead Line Operatives work as part of a team carrying out planned works, responding to faults and patrolling the track. There’s lots of variety and no day is the same on the railway. Typical tools used on the job are earth poles to isolate overhead lines and power hand tools to cut down vegetation; this work is often done whilst working at height in a cherry picker.

As this is an entry level role, Overhead Line Operatives support and learn from Overhead Line Technicians. All Overhead Line Operatives receive full training and guidance, learning how to use a range of hand tools and heavy machinery safely. Pending successful learning and development, Overhead Line Operatives can progress to Overhead Line Technicians.

To reduce disruption to rail services and to increase safety for maintenance teams, this work is often done at night or over weekends. Being able to work a varied shift pattern is important but we’ll provide your roster 4 weeks in advance so you can make plans with family and friends in good time.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for people with bags of potential who have:

• A full clean driving licence

• Problem solving skills

• Good communication skills

• Teamwork skills

• A strong safety ethic including an ability to work at height

• Willingness and ability to work shift patterns with a mixture of daytime, evening and weekend work

• The ability to undertake physical manual work outdoors, whatever the weather

• Willingness to undertake medical assessment and drug and alcohol testing, as part of our recruitment process and whilst you’re working for us (it’s a safety requirement)

What’s in it for me?

• Competitive starting salary for Overhead Line Operatives with the potential to increase for Overhead Line Technicians

• A fresh start - you don’t need to pay for expensive training courses or re-sit any exams, this is an entry level job and full training will be provided

• Development in a range of practical trades and skills to get you to the next career level; many maintenance workers progress to management roles - there’s no stopping you at Network Rail

• Great pension plus the chance to join Network Rail’s leading defined contribution pension scheme after five years’ service

• 75% discount on leisure rail travel for you and your family

• 30 days' annual leave

• Extra earning potential: 35-hour week with overtime opportunities (there may be a requirement to work on call)

Don’t meet every requirement?

Research suggests that individuals from underrepresented groups may be less likely to apply for a job if they don't meet all the listed criteria. We are building a diverse and inclusive place to work where people of all backgrounds can thrive. We encourage you to apply for this role.

We’re a Disability Confident organisation and we’ll try our best to adapt to suit individual needs.

Start your career journey with Network Rail and apply now.

Please click apply to submit your CV and complete the pre-screening questions.

We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone!

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.

You can visit Evenbreak’s Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you’re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please contact ScotlandResourcing@networkrail.co.uk.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should demonstrate their personal commitment to safety in their application.

Network Rail Benefits – To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

All applicants must complete and pass the pre-screening questions in order to be considered for this vacancy.

Grade – Former IMC Terms and Conditions (IMC25)

Salary: £30,351

Closing date: Monday 9th December 2024 - late applications will not be accepted.

We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date (based on application volumes) so if you are interested in this vacancy, we encourage you to make your application as early as possible.