On board supervisor - Southern Rail

[David756]

Hi folks,

First time poster here!

I have applied for this role, and was wondering how long it would take to hear back?
What is the likelihood of even being considered? I'm doing case management at the moment, and have done for the past few years. Which involves a lot of conflict management, customer service etc etc.

Really looking for a change in direction to be quite honest.

Thanks!!

 

[sarahj]

I, sorry, but I'm going to have to say this:

 

[Flamingo]

Well, the first thing you need to know about the OBS role is that it's not going to be for life. Have a plan B for 3-5 years time...

 

[grumblingalong]

You might want to read up on the details behind this role and how it has caused one of the nastiest industrial disputes seen on the railway for many many years. I would personally avoid it at all costs, it could be very awkward walking into a depot to start this new role.

 

[TheEdge]

Run, run as fast as you can in the other direction.

 

[Andy-mc]

With the railway it could be a couple of weeks to a couple of months after closing before you could hear anything and if successful you'll get a letter or email with an interview date (I don't think you'd need any form of competence based assessment in the new supervisor role)
then after the interview it will probably be another 1-4 weeks before you find out if successful or not and will then get a medical date.

But as said timings with these things are very hard to predict sometimes

 

[Spankthemonkey]

Well, the first thing you need to know about the OBS role is that it's not going to be for life. Have a plan B for 3-5 years time...

Have to agree, there is nothing permanent about what's going on there.

I remember sitting in an interview for guard at Brighton 18 months ago and saying "be honest, you're going DOO aren't you" and getting the response "no, we'll always need guards".

 

[maps87]

Does anyone know about the assessment day for this role?

I haven't been provided with anything, HR haven't replied to my email and when I phoned up, they said they couldn't help!

 

[plastictaffy]

You're a brave man, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to be walking in to a depot full of Guards as one of their new all singing all dancing On Board Supervisors.

 

[maps87]

You're a brave man, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to be walking in to a depot full of Guards as one of their new all singing all dancing On Board Supervisors.

I agree it's not the most ideal time to be applying for this role. But it gets my foot in the door at GTR to hopefully one day be a train driver, so I'll do whatever it takes!

 

[NX]

Not another one who will do "whatever it takes" to be a driver.......

 

[Dave1987]

Hmmm this is rather an awkward thread considering what is going on presently.

 

[LETHLFH]

Considering the amount of times Southern have dropped the current crop of staff in the **** recently I'm surprised anybody is considering applying for any role with them.

 

[Shaggy]

Considering the amount of times Southern have dropped the current crop of staff in the **** recently I'm surprised anybody is considering applying for any role with them.

It's a job that pays money. Some people don't have the luxury to pick and choose.

 

[Bishopstone]

It's a job that pays money. Some people don't have the luxury to pick and choose.

And a job that has some security for 3-5 years is more job security than many/most enjoy, whatever their line of work or seniority.

In fact, if we're heading for a recession, an employment guarantee (almost) of 3-5 years looks like a good deal, weathering the storm until the next upturn.

 

[plastictaffy]

Everyone that comes on here will do 'whatever it takes' to become a driver. I had a timescale of 2 years to get a key. I've been on four years in February, still as a guard. Apply every time a driver job comes up, and every time, HR fabricate another excuse why they can't progress my application. Seriously now, you're better off applying to go driving as an external than attempting to get in from the OBS reole.

 

[BestWestern]

Has it not already been established that GTR already have about 100 or so more Conductors than their 'target number' of OBS? Is there actually any clear reasoning behind why they are recruiting externally for what is a role invented merely as the first step to getting rid of people?

The cynic in me says this advertisement, together with it's massively inflated and deeply unrealistic potential earnings figure, is intended merely to further intimidate staff and continue the ailing campaign of turning the public against them. I'd expect a token gesture number of successful candidates, if any.

 

[Greenback]

It's a job that pays money. Some people don't have the luxury to pick and choose.

That's correct. And anyone is entitled to apply for a job, and to come here and ask for advice.

Please try and keep replies informative and relevant.

 

[theironroad]

Not another one who will do "whatever it takes" to be a driver.......

As many people on these fora advise people to get any job on the railway, to get a foot in the door and be an internal candidate, your comment is unusual.

 

[IKB]

I agree it's not the most ideal time to be applying for this role. But it gets my foot in the door at GTR to hopefully one day be a train driver, so I'll do whatever it takes!

If you want to be a driver then apply to be driver.

As an external applicant I'd say you stand just a good a chance (if not better) getting a driver position over an internal candidate (who are frequently made to wait what seems like forever before being released for a driving course, with goalposts frequently being moved).

 

[sarahj]

Has it not already been established that GTR already have about 100 or so more Conductors than their 'target number' of OBS? Is there actually any clear reasoning behind why they are recruiting externally for what is a role invented merely as the first step to getting rid of people?

The cynic in me says this advertisement, together with it's massively inflated and deeply unrealistic potential earnings figure, is intended merely to further intimidate staff and continue the ailing campaign of turning the public against them. I'd expect a token gesture number of successful candidates, if any.

There have been some who have thought this way.

Yes, a yearly pass can cost upwards of £5000, so thats included in the mix, but since your at work, you don't use it to it's full potential. In the last 6 months my outside of work rail travel on GTR (but I was going to work) has been a London Rd to Brighton journey, one way. £2.60. Period.

 

[Graham Benbow]

Hi, have you heard anything yet? I also applied and still not heard anything. Sent an email which remains unanswered as well.

 

[BestWestern]

Hi, have you heard anything yet? I also applied and still not heard anything. Sent an email which remains unanswered as well.

I'm sorry to say I wouldn't put anything on hold for it. Rather confirms my earlier thoughts above, sadly.

 

[BTU]

Hi folks,

First time poster here!

I have applied for this role, and was wondering how long it would take to hear back?
What is the likelihood of even being considered? I'm doing case management at the moment, and have done for the past few years. Which involves a lot of conflict management, customer service etc etc.

Really looking for a change in direction to be quite honest.

Thanks!!

I wound not apply for that role or any other with Southern, OBS is just a smoke screen, there wont be OBS in 2-5 years time and you wont make many mates at Southern nobody wants them,not even the poor buggers that have been forced to do it want to do that role.As for Southern Rail, its the most toxic place right now to work at in the entire railway and its just getting worse.SWT are looking for guards, go there at least people will talk to you .

 

[Gerard92]

Got an email from GTR about the OBS Role, stating;

"your application is being held and will be progressed as and when we have requirements and training arranged for the appropriate depots near your location. Separate to this we now have a number of positions within this role as a Fixed Term Contract for a 12 month period with an immediate start. If you are successful, you will neeed to start working for us immediately.

It also states that its being managed on behalf on Ontrak Recruitment.

 

[johnny123]

Hi all. I am currently moving through the application process for OBS probably based at Brighton on a 12 month fixed contract. I'm getting increasingly confused about what this role actually does and also concerned about the possibility of offending existing staff which some earlier posts in this thread refer to.

Can anyone offer any advice? Should I continue the application process or am I mad? The money seems good but I do not want to be doing a rotten job in uncomfortable circumstances.

Thanks in advance for any information or advice.

 

[grumblingalong]

Hi all. I am currently moving through the application process for OBS probably based at Brighton on a 12 month fixed contract. I'm getting increasingly confused about what this role actually does and also concerned about the possibility of offending existing staff which some earlier posts in this thread refer to.

Can anyone offer any advice? Should I continue the application process or am I mad? The money seems good but I do not want to be doing a rotten job in uncomfortable circumstances.

Thanks in advance for any information or advice.

If you need a job yes the money is good. I'm not just saying this because I have an issue with the OBS role (i do, a big one) but the atmosphere at work will not be good. If you can handle it, go for it, if that's not the kind of person you are I would think twice.

 

[johnny123]

Thanks for your reply. Never having worked on the railways before it is hard to guage what to expect from this job. I will have to think carefully about it.

 

[grumblingalong]

Thanks for your reply. Never having worked on the railways before it is hard to guage what to expect from this job. I will have to think carefully about it.

As I said it's your choice, but there are plenty less adversarial roles available even at Southern.

 

[tony6499]

Hi all. I am currently moving through the application process for OBS probably based at Brighton on a 12 month fixed contract. I'm getting increasingly confused about what this role actually does and also concerned about the possibility of offending existing staff which some earlier posts in this thread refer to.

Can anyone offer any advice? Should I continue the application process or am I mad? The money seems good but I do not want to be doing a rotten job in uncomfortable circumstances.

Thanks in advance for any information or advice.

12 month contract only so who knows where you'll be in a years time