HM Inspector of Railways - Trainee

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is the independent economic and safety regulator for Britain’s railways and monitor of performance on England’s strategic road network.

This is an exciting time to join ORR, we are delivering a significant transformation programme to create a consistently agile and enabling organisation, with the right capability and a strong, inclusive culture that reflects our talented people. This will ensure we continue to operate as an independent, expert regulator, fit for the future and equipped with the capabilities and ways of working required to support sector-wide rail reform, while contributing to the government’s broader agenda on regulatory reform and economic growth. Further detail on our future role is set out here.

At the ORR, we protect the interests of rail and road users by driving improvements in the safety, performance, and value of Britain’s railways and roads, both now and in the future.

Within our Railway Safety Directorate we play a critical role in ensuring the rail industry operates safely and effectively. Our teams work collaboratively with organisations across the sector to promote high standards of health and safety management, helping duty holders to identify, assess and control risks in a proportionate and effective way.

We are looking for enthusiastic, inquisitive, and highly motivated team-playing individuals, who want to work within our operational team to make a difference to health and safety on Britain's railways. As one of His Majesty's Inspectors of Railways you will regulate health and safety for railway workers, passengers and others who interface with railway operations on mainline, non-mainline, tram and heritage railways, undertaking inspections, investigations, enforcement, and other front-line engagement.

As a trainee inspector you will work full-time and combine formal training and development with ongoing practical operational work. You will be supported by line managers to develop your skills in technical and regulatory competencies.

The successful candidates will follow a 3-year structured training programme, leading to a NEBOSH Diploma in Regulatory Railway Occupational Health and Safety – Level 7. The intensive training and development programme will require you to attend courses and assessments at locations across Great Britain, with significant travel and time spent away from home. You will be required to sign a formal training contract setting out these requirements including expected study time outside normal working hours.

After successful completion of the training programme, you will be assessed by a panel where you will demonstrate your competence and behaviours, and if successful, will be promoted to HM Inspector of Railways. As part of the Civil Service Reform, any existing civil servants who are promoted to HM Inspector of Railways will be moved to modernised terms and conditions.

A Level 6 qualification (such as a degree), or able to demonstrate knowledge and expertise through substantial relevant railway industry or front-line health and safety experience, evidenced by the ability to meet the requirements for Chartered or full Member status of a relevant professional institution (for example, MCIRO Member level or equivalent body).

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

For information on the selection process, please see the attached Candidate Information Pack and Job Description.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.