Job description
Please note: Applying for this role means you have read and understood this advert and any associated links.
This recruitment campaign is to resource several Schedule Compilers. Additionally, a waiting list will be populated for future vacancies.
Due to the expected high response to these vacancies, we reserve the right to close this campaign once we have a suitable pool of applicants, which could be prior to the published application closing date.
Salary: £37,977 - £43,507
Contract Type – LU Permanent*
Location: Palestra 197 Blackfriars Road SE1 8JZ/Hybrid
The closing date for applications is Sunday 26th February 23:59pm
- Please note that this position will include an initial 12-month (approx.) training period. Candidates who do not successfully pass this training period will have their offer of employment withdrawn.
Overview of role
With around 4 million passengers per day, the efficient scheduling of our rolling stock and train operators (whilst maintaining safe working practices) is essential to the successful running of London Underground.
Whether scheduling trains or staff, your main accountabilities will be designing, compiling and producing timetables, duty schedules and rotas for normal daily operations. Special arrangements are also often a challenge for Bank Holidays, special events and engineering works, together with associated ancillary work.
This role requires high concentration and excellent attention to detail. You will have excellent analytical skills with the determination to work through complex problems until you find a best fit solution.
For candidates looking to build a career in scheduling, the team is keen to invest and reward them with a structured training plan, which upon completion is rewarded with a higher salary and encouragement towards becoming a key member within a growing department. From entering the role as a trainee, it is possible to progress, in a structured way, to the higher levels (Developing, Established, Experienced and Expert), subject to sustained satisfactory performance and demonstrating achievement against clearly specified criteria.
Following a successful 12-month contract as a trainee, candidates will be offered a permanent role matching the trainee salary and this will increase in line with the grade progression scheme. Here are the currently starting salaries at each grade and the approximate time taken to move up to next grade:
Trainee £37,977 - £43,507 12-18months
Developing £43,507 1-3 years
Established £48,983 1-3 years
Experienced £53,939 1-3 years
Expert £60,882
Key Accountabilities
- Design, develop and review, timetabling and duty scheduling solutions for day-to-day operations, emergency operations, short-term service changes, projects, upgrades and future services.
- Estimate, plan, organise and track progress of own work, and co-ordinate with peers, to meet specific task delivery deadlines set by Team Leader.
- Communicate scheduling plans and designs to the business.
- Prepare and arrange for publication and distribution of own products.
- Review the performance of own products after their delivery and in use, including contributing to post-implementation reviews of new or altered services.
- Identify HR, IM, and Procurement and Facilities issues for self and, under the broad guidance of Team Leader, progress these to resolution.
- Where skills, knowledge and experience are appropriate, coach and support the development and specialist training of 1-4 other Schedule Compilers.
- Represent the Team Leader at meetings, providing appropriate specialist advice on timetabling, business rules and operational requirements.
- Take decisions, and manage the design team, on behalf of Team Leader, as required.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Skills
- Excellent analysis and problem-solving skills. (Essential)
- Excellent attention to detail. (Essential)
- Ability to maintain a high degree of concentration. (Essential)
- Ability to communicate effectively at various levels (management and staff reps). (Highly Desirable)
- Excellent communication skills. (Highly Desirable)
- Ability to read a timetable. (Essential)
- Ability to demonstrate a high degree of numeracy by meeting personal/business objectives. (Essential)
- Good team focus. (Highly Desirable)
- Ability to think laterally. (Essential)
- Basic keyboard skills. (Essential)
Knowledge
- Good standard of Maths and English Language (Essential)
- Understanding of the basics of railway operation e.g. Depots, Points, Signals is desirable. (Desirable)
Experience
- Experience of working in a transport/logistics scheduling area, with timetables or large staff rosters. (Desirable)
- Knowledge of stations or trains operations is desirable. (Desirable)
Please think carefully about how your skills, knowledge and experience are a match to the requirements outlined above. Please only apply if you can clearly demonstrate in your application that you possess the essential skills, knowledge and experience needed for success in this role.
Application Process
The process consists of 5 stages including attending an Assessment. You will need to pass each stage to progress to the next.
Stage 1: Online Application
As part of the application process, you will be asked a number of screening questions. Please take care when answering these questions, as submitting an incorrect answer will result in your application being declined.
You will need to upload the following to your application:
- CV
- Cover Letter
Please think carefully about the cover letter as this is a specialist position. Your letter should explain your understanding of the challenges of timetabling trains and scheduling staff on the Underground demonstrating an understanding of the role which reflects your skills, knowledge and experience and explain why you wish to begin a career in scheduling.
Stage 2: Online Numerical, Verbal and Abstract Reasoning test
Invites to the Online Assessment will be sent out to candidates on a regular basis and you will have 5 days from the time of invite in which to complete from the date it was sent. No extensions will be granted, therefore If you are unable to complete your test within the 5 days, we would advise you to refrain from submitting your application at this time.
If you do not complete the tests within 5 days of receiving the email, you will be automatically removed from the process.
Please note: The Online Assessment is a timed test, therefore if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to assist you then you will need to advise us before you begin the test. Requests for reasonable adjustments cannot be made after the test has been started.
Stage 3: Assessment - You will complete the following:
- Mental Arithmetic Test at Ashfield House
Stage 4: CV and Cover Letter review:
The business will review your Application.
Stage 5: Assessment - You will complete the following:
- Competency Based Interview at Palestra
Campaign Timetable
The campaign is running to a very specific delivery timescale as determined by the business and there will only be enough slots for the number of candidates invited. You are encouraged to schedule into an assessment event as early as possible. If you do not book an assessment, you will be withdrawn from the campaign.
Candidate Charter
You can download a copy of the Candidate Charter here.
This outlines our commitment to you as a candidate by providing insight into our recruitment process. It also outlines our expectations with regards to your engagement with us, to ensure that you receive the best recruitment experience possible, as we believe you should know the standards of service you can expect from us. You must read this document prior to submitting your application in order to understand every aspect of the process.
Reasonable Adjustment Process
If you require reasonable adjustments, you must notify the recruitment at least 48 hours (excluding weekends) prior to your scheduled assessment event to allow us to accommodate your requirements. You will then be sent a confirmation email which you will need to bring to your assessment. If you fail to bring this on the day your adjustments will not be granted, and you will be unable to re-book. We will consider that you are the expert regarding your own requirements, and we will consider all requests fairly within the context of the role.
Please take the time to read the Disability Charter here.
Notice of Cancellation
We require you to give a minimum of 48 hours' notice of cancellation or re-schedule. Non-attendance at your Assessment Event may lead to your application being withdrawn.
Please note: Your assessment may be rescheduled once only and reschedules will only be granted if there are assessment slots available, so please make sure you check you can make an appointment before booking. Subsequent cancellation may lead to your application being withdrawn. If you do not follow the process outlined in the Candidate Charter you risk being withdrawn from the campaign.
Outcomes
Outcomes for the assessment will be provided 10-14 days after the last assessment event.
Appointment to post
Candidates must successfully pass our pre-employment checks such as a Data Barring Service (DBS) check and employment referencing. Failure to pass any of these will result in the offer of employment being withdrawn at any stage.
Please note that this position will include an initial 12-month (approx.) training period. Candidates who do not successfully pass this training period will have their offer of employment withdrawn.
Although you may be successful and offered the role – you may not commence employment in the role or start training immediately. There may be a requirement to delay your start date until you are required.
Benefits
In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:
- Final salary pension scheme
- Free travel for you on the TfL network
- A 75% reimbursement scheme on National Rail
- 29 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
- Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
- Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
- Retail, health, leisure and travel offers
- Discounted Eurostar travel
Contacting Us
If at any time you need to speak to anyone within the Recruitment Team, then please contact us on 0203 005 1680 (local rate charges from all phones including mobiles) or email [email protected].
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.