London Underground - Operations Control Operator

[Jonathon]

Ah I see. Well for other positions you'd be looking at adding 5-10K on top, although the more senior members of the team will hit 6-figures.

Thanks. It seems like a good area to look into if I were looking for roles. Shift work is something I can certainly sympathise with.

Is there any information as to the rotas for this role? Anyone going for it?

 

[Trackboy]

Does anyone know if this role can help progress into LU train running controller (not sure of the job title). I am currently a signaller for Network rail. So I would like to move into train running controller direction.

What it be natural progression or apply internally for another job?

Thanks.

 

[Horizon22]

Does anyone know if this role can help progress into LU train running controller (not sure of the job title). I am currently a signaller for Network rail. So I would like to move into train running controller direction.

What it be natural progression or apply internally for another job?

Thanks.

Service managers are normally working at the individual line (e.g. Central line) control rather than LUCC but you’d be internal to TfL (and such roles tend to only be internal) and with control experience so I’m sure it can’t hurt.

 

[Trackboy]

Service managers are normally working at the individual line (e.g. Central line) control rather than LUCC but you’d be internal to TfL (and such roles tend to only be internal) and with control experience so I’m sure it can’t hurt.

Thanks. Do you know if roster is12hrs for OCC. Also leave are they all rostered?

 

[Jonathon]

From having a chat with someone who applied appears they are testing 600+ applicants first and then doing a CV check to whittle them down so it will be a lengthy process.

 

[User1278]

I was told if successful at the assessment then they will move you onto to the CV check. If you pass that, interviews would likely be end of November. You would not start until possibly Feb 2025 if you are successful at the interview stage. Fingers crossed for anyone who attended the assessment day.

 

[Jonathon]

I was told if successful at the assessment then they will move you onto to the CV check. If you pass that, interviews would likely be end of November. You would not start until possibly Feb 2025 if you are successful at the interview stage. Fingers crossed for anyone who attended the assessment day.

Thanks for that. What are the rosters like for this control room? It's a shame I missed applying but I'm curious by all the information!

Good luck to those applying too.

 

[User1278]

Unfortunately I do not know the exact roster they do although I wish I did. All I know is it is earlies, lates & night shifts that cover a 24hours operation.

 

[Jonathon]

I'm guessing then 8 hour shifts... unless there's overlap and it's 10 hour shifts or something.

 

[bluegoblin7]

There’s a lot things unknown about this role still as the re-org has only just finished consultation and rosters etc still need to be drawn up and agreed. I’ve seen some proposed drafts (and had input on them) but it’s fairly standard railway fare.

This is largely an information co-ordination job (it essentially replaces the current Network Information Co-ordination Manager grade) but is an excellent external opportunity to get into LUL. Whilst there is no defined career progression (fairly standard on LU), it would give you some excellent experience if you did want to progress to Service Controller, which is the grade that looks after individual lines.

There may be some level of comms with/for other TfL Rail modes (as per the new name of Rail Control Centre), but primarily will look after LU in what was the London Underground Control Centre (LUCC).

It’s worth bearing in mind also (disclaimer: I was involved in the consultation as an RMT rep, and do feel we got the best possible outcome even if it’s not ideal) that this role currently lacks any formal ‘framework’ around shift rostering parameters, local agreements and more. This may suit some, but is very much unlike most of LU Ops in that sense. Whilst I would argue it is essentially identical to the NICM role LU insist that it isn’t, and that leaves a lot of unknowns as to what exactly will happen when it goes live as part of RCC step-up next year.

 

[Trackboy]

There’s a lot things unknown about this role still as the re-org has only just finished consultation and rosters etc still need to be drawn up and agreed. I’ve seen some proposed drafts (and had input on them) but it’s fairly standard railway fare.

This is largely an information co-ordination job (it essentially replaces the current Network Information Co-ordination Manager grade) but is an excellent external opportunity to get into LUL. Whilst there is no defined career progression (fairly standard on LU), it would give you some excellent experience if you did want to progress to Service Controller, which is the grade that looks after individual lines.

There may be some level of comms with/for other TfL Rail modes (as per the new name of Rail Control Centre), but primarily will look after LU in what was the London Underground Control Centre (LUCC).

It’s worth bearing in mind also (disclaimer: I was involved in the consultation as an RMT rep, and do feel we got the best possible outcome even if it’s not ideal) that this role currently lacks any formal ‘framework’ around shift rostering parameters, local agreements and more. This may suit some, but is very much unlike most of LU Ops in that sense. Whilst I would argue it is essentially identical to the NICM role LU insist that it isn’t, and that leaves a lot of unknowns as to what exactly will happen when it goes live as part of RCC step-up next year.

Thanks for detailed information. Much appreciated.

 

[alex1982]

They have invited for a Railway Voice Communication Test. It would be appreciated if someone would share their experiences about how was it. Thanks in advance.

 

[Horizon22]

Not sure I've heard of that one. But I imagine it is about how good your safety-critical communications are (accurate, brief, clear, professional) and dealing with a variety of different people (e.g. station staff, train operators, emergency services) via radios/phones and giving instructions or providing information.

 

[alex1982]

Not sure I've heard of that one. But I imagine it is about how good your safety-critical communications are (accurate, brief, clear, professional) and dealing with a variety of different people (e.g. station staff, train operators, emergency services) via radios/phones and giving instructions or providing information.

Thank you for the response. I have got similar offer from Arriva/Overground. There was no voice communication exercise. Hope I can pass the test. Good luck with me!!

 

[User1278]

There’s a lot things unknown about this role still as the re-org has only just finished consultation and rosters etc still need to be drawn up and agreed. I’ve seen some proposed drafts (and had input on them) but it’s fairly standard railway fare.

This is largely an information co-ordination job (it essentially replaces the current Network Information Co-ordination Manager grade) but is an excellent external opportunity to get into LUL. Whilst there is no defined career progression (fairly standard on LU), it would give you some excellent experience if you did want to progress to Service Controller, which is the grade that looks after individual lines.

There may be some level of comms with/for other TfL Rail modes (as per the new name of Rail Control Centre), but primarily will look after LU in what was the London Underground Control Centre (LUCC).

It’s worth bearing in mind also (disclaimer: I was involved in the consultation as an RMT rep, and do feel we got the best possible outcome even if it’s not ideal) that this role currently lacks any formal ‘framework’ around shift rostering parameters, local agreements and more. This may suit some, but is very much unlike most of LU Ops in that sense. Whilst I would argue it is essentially identical to the NICM role LU insist that it isn’t, and that leaves a lot of unknowns as to what exactly will happen when it goes live as part of RCC step-up next

Thankyou, this is really interesting information regarding the job. Would it be a secure job to join? if fortunate to pass the stages and get the role of course.

 

[Horizon22]

Thankyou, this is really interesting information regarding the job. Would it be a secure job to join? if fortunate to pass the stages and get the role of course.

Yes I imagine it would be. There will always be a need for information and control based roles, especially during disruption.

 

[M_B14]

They have invited for a Railway Voice Communication Test. It would be appreciated if someone would share their experiences about how was it. Thanks in advance.

Got one coming up. From what i seen, Its just to test how well you concise information given to you over a emergency incident audio. You will be played a voice message and you need to relay that information but shorter (key information) and clearly.

Yes I imagine it would be. There will always be a need for information and control based roles, especially during disruption.

One question, it says the work office is Palestra office on the job description. But is it possible to work at a different depot.

 

[bluegoblin7]

One question, it says the work office is Palestra office on the job description. But is it possible to work at a different depot.

No, the role is exclusively based at Palestra in the LUCC/RCC.

 

[Horizon22]

One question, it says the work office is Palestra office on the job description. But is it possible to work at a different depot.

No, that is where LUCC is based.

 

[MaidaVale]

Does anyone know if this role can help progress into LU train running controller (not sure of the job title). I am currently a signaller for Network rail. So I would like to move into train running controller direction.

What it be natural progression or apply internally for another job?

Thanks.

That'd be the Service Controller (SCL2) grade. Yes, it would certainly be a foot in the door as any control room experience certainly helps. Applications are internal only for Service Control grades (unless you apply through the specific Service Control Apprenticeship, which has been advertised around March time in previous years). The pay difference for the SCL2 grade is roughly 20k more than this role.

 

[bluegoblin7]

SCL2 isn’t really comparable to any one grade on Network Rail, though. It deals with a lot more than a train running controller, and is without a doubt the most challenging of all operational grades on LUL.

The new RCC Control Operator grade will certainly help with that, but equally getting stations or trains experience can also help. Indeed, if anything the RCC role is a pipeline to Line Information Specialist, LIS, rather than SCL2.

 

[MaidaVale]

SCL2 isn’t really comparable to any one grade on Network Rail, though. It deals with a lot more than a train running controller, and is without a doubt the most challenging of all operational grades on LUL.

The new RCC Control Operator grade will certainly help with that, but equally getting stations or trains experience can also help. Indeed, if anything the RCC role is a pipeline to Line Information Specialist, LIS, rather than SCL2.

Yeah I wasn't particularly comparing the two, just pointing out that it's a foot in the door and a step in the right direction. LIS would be a much more suitable step forward from RCC especially considering neither of which are safety critical, and what we do in service control very much is.

 

[Jonathon]

Has anyone heard much from this yet? My friend has only been told it's moving on to CV checks.

 

[User1278]

I have also had an email confirming I passed the assessment & I now need to wait for CV/Covering letter stage. Likely going to take some time as they’ve probably got lots to go through

 

[lonogrol]

Someone I work with found out already whether they have passed the paper sift or not.

 

[gabsy]

Did anyone go for the CBI this week, what was the experience?

 

[Zb0905]

I have also had an email confirming I passed the assessment & I now need to wait for CV/Covering letter stage. Likely going to take some time as they’ve probably got lots to go through

Hi mate the role has come again any advice for the communications test

 

[LUL]

Although a new role does anyone have any insight if there is scope for overtime and if the annual leave is rostered or booked ?

Will TFL allow me to take it the annual leave as a month block ?

 

[Mojo]

Yes this grade is eligible to do overtime, although it is not guaranteed.

Annual leave will not be rostered, it will be subject to a maximum number of people on leave at any one time, allocated on a first come first serve basis. There will be local agreements in place meaning no leave on weekends or nights (this is fairly standard for many locations), so if you wanted to take all of the four weeks off at once you would have to arrange a swap with a colleague to cover your weekend, and take leave for the remaining week days.

Note this is a LUL not a TfL contract, so leave and other such matters will be governed under LU and not TfL policies.

 

[Zb0905]

Yes this grade is eligible to do overtime, although it is not guaranteed.

Annual leave will not be rostered, it will be subject to a maximum number of people on leave at any one time, allocated on a first come first serve basis. There will be local agreements in place meaning no leave on weekends or nights (this is fairly standard for many locations), so if you wanted to take all of the four weeks off at once you would have to arrange a swap with a colleague to cover your weekend, and take leave for the remaining week days.

Note this is a LUL not a TfL contract, so leave and other such matters will be governed under LU and not TfL policies.

Hi do you have any advice for the communication test

Does anyone have advice for the communications test please