Job Description

Construction Assurance Specialist (SCO)#

Location

Crewe, GB#

Department Name

MP Construction Services - Engineering (541003) G2#

About Network Rail

Join Our Team at Network Rail!

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.


If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!











#

Brief Description

This role sits within

Supply Chain Operations (SCO)

, an area of the business which supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable the maintenance and renewal of the railway.


SCO keeps the materials, machinery and components required by its customers moving - making sure they are on-site when needed so work can go ahead as planned and on schedule. Watch our video Working in Supply Chain Operations

Construction Services (CS)

plans and delivers Overhead Line and Track Renewal's Projects using the Overhead Line Engineering (OLE) Train, On-Track-Plant, and the Ballast Cleaning System (BCS). The team is committed to delivering high-quality infrastructure projects while embracing innovative, more efficient ways of working.


The Directorate is structured into five teams reporting into the Construction Services Director: Engineering, Planning, OLE Delivery, Track Delivery, and Programme Change. Works are planned and delivered using an internal Network Rail workforce, with Construction Services acting as Principal Contractor, Principal Designer, and POS approval holder.


During Control Period 7 (2024-29) Construction Services is remitted to plan and deliver Ballast Cleaning projects on North, West & Central and Network Rail High Speed Regions, and OLE renewals across North, West & Central Region.


The team operates nationally from its Crewe and Bletchley Construction Depots, with support roles based at Birmingham and Milton Keynes.

Construction Services (CS) - Engineering

is composed of highly qualified engineers with years of experience in the rail sector, certified in multiple disciplines, and backed by strong problem-solving capabilities. We combine technical proficiency with an in-depth understanding of the rail industry's evolving needs, delivering projects that are both timely and cost-effective ensuring the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and sustainability. We specialise in managing the complete lifecycle of rail projects involving track, signalling and overhead line equipment (OLE). From planning to execution, our team ensures that our systems are designed, installed, and maintained to the highest industry standards. We oversee technical coordination, risk management, and compliance to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.


Key services include:


o Project Engineering Management for Track, Signalling & OLE (Overhead Line Equipment)


o Managing design integration and construction processes.


o Risk management, budget control, and regulatory compliance.


o Engineering & Construction Assurance


o On Track Plant Management & Assurance

Are you experienced and knowledgeable in Health & Safety in a Railway track construction environment?

Do you want a job where you can put your skills and experience in to practice to ensure Construction Services deliver track renewals safely and handback good quality works?

Do you believe in the benefits of planned inspections, assurance checks, engineering verification and robust systems and procedures?

Can you take responsibility for site safety and intervene when necessary?

If this is you, then maybe this is the role for you



We are seeking a Construction Assurance Specialist based out of our Crewe depot. The role will be working as part of the Engineering team, providing assurance on the delivery of Track renewals, Ballast Cleaning and Overhead Line Equipment projects across the UK. The role provides assurance to all aspects of delivery including survey, preparation works, core works and follow up activities to ensure compliance to Company Standards and local processes and procedures as an aid to delivering a safe, quality and efficient construction renewal service to our Regional Customers.













#

About the role (External)

This role involves onsite assurance checking Work Package Plans (WPPs), Safe System of Work Packs (SSOWPs), ES/COSS briefings, welfare management, as well as all aspects railway renewal construction activities. You will be responsible for undertaking Planned Inspections, Engineering Verifications and Safety Tours whilst onsite. Please note our site work is predominately undertaken during midweek nights and at weekends, so a large proportion of our assurance checks and inspections will need to be done at these times. You will need to be able to communicate and influence at all levels, build relationships with Maintenance, the wider CS Teams, the workforce, and our delivery partners. As well as demonstrating your experience in railway construction or rail infrastructure maintenance, familiar with Construction Design Management (CDM 2015) and knowledge of the relevant Health & Safety and Assurance Standards are also key.


Above all, your ability to work as part of a wider team whilst managing your own workload, good time management and flexibility, along with good IT skills would make you an ideal candidate and potentially a valuable asset to the team.


You will undertake the day-to-day railway construction assurance to provide Network Rail and its suppliers confidence that works are being delivered in line with expectation, with focus on assuring the operation of the railway is safeguarded and workforce and passenger safety is not compromised, through prescribed audits designed to improve performance and promote good practice.

Key Responsibilities

1. Undertake site visits as set out by the project assurance function to provide effective governance and assurance of the construction activities undertaken.


2. Collate data from site visits to provide information to share with the wider Network Rail teams and its suppliers, identifying areas for improvement and sharing good practice.


3. Identify and manage poor performance onsite through the implementation of improvement plans to provide safety assurance and continuous improvement.


4. Work with the Project Assurance Engineer to implement a balanced and consistent approach to the construction assurance function.


5. Review and use the Construction Phase Plan, Work Package Plans, and any relevant documentation to conduct pre-start site visits and site visits once a period thereafter during the construction phase. Then produce and issue post visit inspection report.


6. Form working relationships with site teams to create an environment for continuous improvement.


7. Agree improvement plans and oversee to closeout in a timely manner when performance issues are identified.


8. Create on-going working relationships with Network Rail maintainers to facilitate Construction Services project delivery.


9. Deliver safety and sustainability assurance (Functional Audit Plan, management reviews, project deep dives) and provide reports to inform relevant people in Construction Services of the findings to facilitate evidence-based approach to managing risks and opportunities for improving Construction Delivery performance in safety and sustainability.


10. Attend regular meetings with the Project Assurance Engineer to forecast site activity and assist in the identification trends and areas for focus.

Skills and Experience

Essential

Experience and success within a construction assurance function.

Construction Industry Training Board - Site Manager Safety Training Scheme or similar or equivalent experience.

Membership of a relevant professional body for example Chartered Institute of Building, Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Railway Signal Engineers or equivalent.

Demonstrable significant understanding of the CDM Regulations and health & safety legislation, regulations, and industry practices.

IT literate (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and web-based audit tools).

Ability to operate effectively in the site environment.

Demonstrable experience of effective team working, helping, and supporting others and sharing knowledge skills and experience.

Demonstrable experience of seeking ways to improve ways of working, being open to change and doing things differently.

Demonstrable ability to make timely decisions and to think ahead.

Demonstrable experience of being focussed on their own and others safety and in understanding the implications of their behaviour and the safety rules.

Demonstrable experience of having a positive attitude about work and change and demonstrating positive working behaviours.

Desirable

Experience within the rail industry.

Vacancy type:

This role is permanent.

Location:

Crewe.

Hours:

35 hours per week with hybrid working as required, as well as some night and weekend working, travel across the UK and overnight stays.

Salary range:

Band 4C,43,588 - 51,719 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Closing date:

21 August 2025. Late applicants will not be accepted. This role is being advertisedinternally and externally.

You will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria, please complete this as part of the application process and also add this to your CV in one document.

Applicants who do not complete this statement will not be shortlisted. Please see attached guide - How to complete Supporting Statement.

If you cannot access the guide please contact

RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk

and we will send you a copy.

If you would like any reasonable adjustments support during your application or throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcing Team who will happily assist.


Below are some examples of adjustments we can make:

Changing a provision, practice or 'the way things are done'

For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed.

Changing a physical feature of our workplace

For example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs.

Providing extra equipment or assistance

For example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.


There are lots of other adjustments we can consider - please just ask!


The recruitment process will consist of shortlisted candidates being invited to take part in the following:


Competency based interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by phone or email.

For further information about how we recruit, please visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/how-we-recruit/


This role is safety critical and will require a medical and/or

Personal Track Safety Competence

.


Personal Track Safety (PTS) is a set of safety regulations and procedures that individuals must adhere to when working on or near the tracks of the UK rail network.

Drugs and Alcohol Standard:

All prospective external candidates offered a conditional role will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.


You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.





Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.*



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Construction Assurance Specialist (SCO)#

Location

Crewe, GB#

Department Name

MP Construction Services - Engineering (541003) G2#

About Network Rail

Join Our Team at Network Rail!

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. Click here to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!


We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here.


Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you! Click here to learn about our vision for a simpler, better, greener railway, and here to learn about our approach to safety and how it's at the heart of everything we do.

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.


If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!











#

Brief Description

Route Services is a division of Network Rail that provides the Routes with services so they can help Network Rail deliver a better railway for a better Britain. We support the Routes with a myriad of services and supplies they need to maintain and operate the railway To learn more, please click here to watch our video.


This role sits within

Supply Chain Operations (SCO)

, an area of the business which supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable the maintenance and renewal of the railway.


SCO keeps the materials, machinery and components required by its customers moving - making sure they are on-site when needed so work can go ahead as planned and on schedule. Watch our video Working in Supply Chain Operations

Construction Services (CS)

plans and delivers Overhead Line and Track Renewal's Projects using the Overhead Line Engineering (OLE) Train, On-Track-Plant, and the Ballast Cleaning System (BCS). The team is committed to delivering high-quality infrastructure projects while embracing innovative, more efficient ways of working.


The Directorate is structured into five teams reporting into the Construction Services Director: Engineering, Planning, OLE Delivery, Track Delivery, and Programme Change. Works are planned and delivered using an internal Network Rail workforce, with Construction Services acting as Principal Contractor, Principal Designer, and POS approval holder.


During Control Period 7 (2024-29) Construction Services is remitted to plan and deliver Ballast Cleaning projects on North, West & Central and Network Rail High Speed Regions, and OLE renewals across North, West & Central Region.


The team operates nationally from its Crewe and Bletchley Construction Depots, with support roles based at Birmingham and Milton Keynes.

Construction Services (CS) - Engineering

is composed of highly qualified engineers with years of experience in the rail sector, certified in multiple disciplines, and backed by strong problem-solving capabilities. We combine technical proficiency with an in-depth understanding of the rail industry's evolving needs, delivering projects that are both timely and cost-effective ensuring the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and sustainability. We specialise in managing the complete lifecycle of rail projects involving track, signalling and overhead line equipment (OLE). From planning to execution, our team ensures that our systems are designed, installed, and maintained to the highest industry standards. We oversee technical coordination, risk management, and compliance to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.


Key services include:


o Project Engineering Management for Track, Signalling & OLE (Overhead Line Equipment)


o Managing design integration and construction processes.


o Risk management, budget control, and regulatory compliance.


o Engineering & Construction Assurance


o On Track Plant Management & Assurance

Are you experienced and knowledgeable in Health & Safety in a Railway track construction environment?

Do you want a job where you can put your skills and experience in to practice to ensure Construction Services deliver track renewals safely and handback good quality works?

Do you believe in the benefits of planned inspections, assurance checks, engineering verification and robust systems and procedures?

Can you take responsibility for site safety and intervene when necessary?

If this is you, then maybe this is the role for you



We are seeking a Construction Assurance Specialist based out of our Crewe depot. The role will be working as part of the Engineering team, providing assurance on the delivery of Track renewals, Ballast Cleaning and Overhead Line Equipment projects across the UK. The role provides assurance to all aspects of delivery including survey, preparation works, core works and follow up activities to ensure compliance to Company Standards and local processes and procedures as an aid to delivering a safe, quality and efficient construction renewal service to our Regional Customers.













#

About the role (External)

This role involves onsite assurance checking Work Package Plans (WPPs), Safe System of Work Packs (SSOWPs), ES/COSS briefings, welfare management, as well as all aspects railway renewal construction activities. You will be responsible for undertaking Planned Inspections, Engineering Verifications and Safety Tours whilst onsite. Please note our site work is predominately undertaken during midweek nights and at weekends, so a large proportion of our assurance checks and inspections will need to be done at these times. You will need to be able to communicate and influence at all levels, build relationships with Maintenance, the wider CS Teams, the workforce, and our delivery partners. As well as demonstrating your experience in railway construction or rail infrastructure maintenance, familiar with Construction Design Management (CDM 2015) and knowledge of the relevant Health & Safety and Assurance Standards are also key.


Above all, your ability to work as part of a wider team whilst managing your own workload, good time management and flexibility, along with good IT skills would make you an ideal candidate and potentially a valuable asset to the team.


You will undertake the day-to-day railway construction assurance to provide Network Rail and its suppliers confidence that works are being delivered in line with expectation, with focus on assuring the operation of the railway is safeguarded and workforce and passenger safety is not compromised, through prescribed audits designed to improve performance and promote good practice.

Key Responsibilities

1. Undertake site visits as set out by the project assurance function to provide effective governance and assurance of the construction activities undertaken.


2. Collate data from site visits to provide information to share with the wider Network Rail teams and its suppliers, identifying areas for improvement and sharing good practice.


3. Identify and manage poor performance onsite through the implementation of improvement plans to provide safety assurance and continuous improvement.


4. Work with the Project Assurance Engineer to implement a balanced and consistent approach to the construction assurance function.


5. Review and use the Construction Phase Plan, Work Package Plans, and any relevant documentation to conduct pre-start site visits and site visits once a period thereafter during the construction phase. Then produce and issue post visit inspection report.


6. Form working relationships with site teams to create an environment for continuous improvement.


7. Agree improvement plans and oversee to closeout in a timely manner when performance issues are identified.


8. Create on-going working relationships with Network Rail maintainers to facilitate Construction Services project delivery.


9. Deliver safety and sustainability assurance (Functional Audit Plan, management reviews, project deep dives) and provide reports to inform relevant people in Construction Services of the findings to facilitate evidence-based approach to managing risks and opportunities for improving Construction Delivery performance in safety and sustainability.


10. Attend regular meetings with the Project Assurance Engineer to forecast site activity and assist in the identification trends and areas for focus.

Skills and Experience

Essential

Experience and success within a construction assurance function.

Construction Industry Training Board - Site Manager Safety Training Scheme or similar or equivalent experience.

Membership of a relevant professional body for example Chartered Institute of Building, Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Railway Signal Engineers or equivalent.

Demonstrable significant understanding of the CDM Regulations and health & safety legislation, regulations, and industry practices.

IT literate (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and web-based audit tools).

Ability to operate effectively in the site environment.

Demonstrable experience of effective team working, helping, and supporting others and sharing knowledge skills and experience.

Demonstrable experience of seeking ways to improve ways of working, being open to change and doing things differently.

Demonstrable ability to make timely decisions and to think ahead.

Demonstrable experience of being focussed on their own and others safety and in understanding the implications of their behaviour and the safety rules.

Demonstrable experience of having a positive attitude about work and change and demonstrating positive working behaviours.

Desirable

Experience within the rail industry.










#

How to apply (External)

Vacancy type:

This role is permanent.

Location:

Crewe.

Hours:

35 hours per week with hybrid working as required, as well as some night and weekend working, travel across the UK and overnight stays.

Salary range:

Band 4C,43,588 - 51,719 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Closing date:

21 August 2025. Late applicants will not be accepted. This role is being advertisedinternally and externally.

You will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria, please complete this as part of the application process and also add this to your CV in one document.

Applicants who do not complete this statement will not be shortlisted. Please see attached guide - How to complete Supporting Statement.

If you cannot access the guide please contact

RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk

and we will send you a copy.

Click 'Apply now' to submit your application. If you would like to speak the Resourcing Team, please contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk


If you would like any reasonable adjustments support during your application or throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcing Team who will happily assist.


Below are some examples of adjustments we can make:

Changing a provision, practice or 'the way things are done'

For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed.

Changing a physical feature of our workplace

For example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs.

Providing extra equipment or assistance

For example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.


There are lots of other adjustments we can consider - please just ask!


The recruitment process will consist of shortlisted candidates being invited to take part in the following:


Competency based interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by phone or email.

For further information about how we recruit, please visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/how-we-recruit/


This role is safety critical and will require a medical and/or

Personal Track Safety Competence

.


Personal Track Safety (PTS) is a set of safety regulations and procedures that individuals must adhere to when working on or near the tracks of the UK rail network.

Drugs and Alcohol Standard:

All prospective external candidates offered a conditional role will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.


You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Network Rail Benefits

- To find out about what benefits we offer, click here


All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information




Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.*



























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