Emergency Response Unit Operator (ER13)

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Key Information

Job title: Emergency Response Unit Operator x 5 positions.

Salary: £67,395 Grade: ER13

Contract type: Permanent - London Underground

Location: Various TfL Location Sites

Shift Work: 24/7 a mixture of days/nights - must be able to do both.

Application Closing Date: Tuesday 14th April 26 @ 23:59

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory right-to-work checks, and candidates must be able to demonstrate their legal right to work in the UK. In certain circumstances, TfL may be able to sponsor Skilled Worker visas for roles and individuals that meet the required eligibility criteria, including those covered by transitional rules. Further details can be found here: Our response to visa sponsorship changes.

Overview of project/role

We have an exciting and rarely available opportunity as an ERU Operator. As a member of the ERU, working on a shift basis, you will have a key role following an incident/event, in completing repair or taking action that enables affected service to be resumed efficiently and effectively so minimising delays.

Do you have experience in an engineering background and enjoy a challenge? Do you have the ability to work within a highly pressurised environment?

If so, we would like to hear from you !!!

The Emergency Response Unit (ERU) provides London Underground (LU) and TfL rail (RfL(I)), Croydon Trams, DLR and London Overground with 24/7 cover 365 days per year. When required, the ERU will respond to Mutual Aid requests from Network Rail and other transport systems. The ERU are an emergency service recognised Cat 2 responder (Police, Ambulance and Fire are Cat 1). The ERU support the emergency services to recover casualties following incidents such as derailments, terrorist activity, suicide and accidental injury or death.

Key Accountabilities

Working as part of a team, you will:

• Repair railway infrastructure including the track, drainage, fence line, off-track infrastructure, inspect the track to permit trains to run. Removal of fallen trees, by use of chain saws that have fallen across the track and boundary fences, obscuring signals, roadways and critical equipment such as Power and Signalling cabinets and high voltage cables. Removing obstructions from the track, working at heights off ladders to repair or remove defective objects and 3rd party items within the TfL infrastructure boundaries.
• Respond to rolling stock incidents providing the skills to re-rail trains, lift trains to enable the release of trapped persons or other objects and skate trains with seized axles/severe flats and other train faults. Assist the Emergency Services, LU, TfL Rail and Network Rail to safely detrain fit and physically impaired passengers in tunnels and open sections.
• Respond to station incidents such as removal and clinical disposal of biological fluids and matter, support the station staff dealing with persons trapped in a lift, removal of objects, evacuations, flooding and installation of emergency lighting.
• Once licenced you will drive ERU LGVs (similar size and shape to a Fire Engine) and check the vehicle, tools and equipment so they are fit for purpose. You will have the responsibility of checking the Unit vehicles and equipment at the start of each shift.
• Will be required to crawl and work directly on the underside of trains and other confined spaces. This is an essential part of the role.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills:

• You must show that you have effective communication skills; the ability to communicate at all levels and be a good team player.
• You must also show that you have the ability to analyse and solve problems and have the ability to work in a pressurised environment. (Essential)
• You will need good IT skills and a good level of general education (preferably to GCSE or similar vocational qualifications). (Desirable)
• You must hold a full clean UK manual driving licence and be able to gain an LGV driving licence within 12 months of being appointed. (Essential)
• You must hold or ability to hold relevant Track Maintenance Safety Critical Licences e.g. Protecting Workers on the Track (Traffic and Engineering Hours), Network Rail Personal Track Safety (PTS), Fire Watchperson, Demarcation, Track Trolley Controller, etc. (Essential)
• You must hold or ability to hold a full Plant Assessment Certificate and a Manual Handling Certificate. (Essential)
• You must hold or have the ability to hold a T001 Track Safety Critical Licence within 3 years. (Essential)

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the permanent way infrastructure or rolling stock or signalling equipment and engineering (Desirable).
• You will have an understanding of Health & Safety at Work Act (HASAWA), Fire Safety (FP), Safety Management System (SMS),
• Electricity at Work (EAW), Manual Handling (MH), and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Management of Health & Safety (MOHAS) and Transport & Works Act. (Desirable)
• You will also have an understanding of the companies Incident Management Procedure (Desirable)

Experience:

• You must have a minimum of 2 years experience of working in an engineering or operational environment, such as railway, signal, mechanical, track. (Essential)

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

Application Process

• Please apply using your CV only. (A cover letter is not required on this occasion)
• PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.
• All licenses must be clearly indicated on your application.

Assessment Details

Stage 1 : If successful, you will be invited to a Pre- Interview Assessment.
Stage 2 : If successful after the pre interview assessment - 1st Interview
Stage 3: May be placed on a waiting list
Stage 4: Offer

Important Information please read

This is a safety critical role, so you will need to get clearance from our Occupational Health team before you start.

This is a physically demanding role.

This is a shift work position including a mixture of DAYS & NIGHTS.

You may be asked to work at any of the locations Acton, Oval, Penton St or Stratford.

Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below:

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel for you on the TfL network
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home
• 29 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers
• Discounted Eurostar travel

Vetting Process

At Transport for London, safety, trust and fairness sit at the heart of how we recruit. Our Vetting Charter ( explains the checks we carry out before you join us, helping ensure we create a safe, inclusive and reliable network for everyone who depends on our services. We simply ask that the information you provide is honest and accurate so we can progress your application smoothly. If something doesn't match or can't be verified, we may not be able to move forward with your application, but we'll always treat you with transparency, respect, and clear communication throughout.