Duty Controller

As the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway’s Operations Manager you will oversee the Operation of our world-famous heritage railway. Managing the Operations team, you will ensure safety is the number one priority. Ensuring compliance with relevant policies, standards and legislation.

You will ensure the Operations team fulfil the commercial requirements of the business. You will be responsible for overseeing training and development of our paid and voluntary staff. You will provide support to other areas of the railway and work collaboratively as part of the wider management team.

About the Role

Key responsibilities will be, but not limited to:

- Coordinate all operational requirements of the RH&DR.
- Ensure that operational notices and Weekly Planning Notices are distributed.
- Ensure rosters are produced and distributed in a timely manner.
- Lead, manage and mentor the operational staff responsible for operating all aspects of the RH&DR public services.
- Ensure commercial requests for charter trains, train formations and timetables are met and where these requests cannot be met alternative solutions are offered.
- Devise timetables that meet the needs of the railway.
- Lead the training and development of the paid and voluntary staff.
- Manage the RH&DR’s Competence Management System and ensure there is compliance across all operational roles.
- Develop training and assessments standards to ensure the CMS remains relevant to the RH&DR operation.
- Feed into the RH&DR’s Safety Management System to ensure compliance with the legal requirements of the Office of Rail and Road.
- Audit records relating to the CMS, SMS, training, maintenance and daily operating logs.
- Manage the content and distribution of the RH&DR rule book in conjunction with the General Manager and wider management team.
- Prepare and maintain RAMS, procedures and engineering standards.
- Gain and maintain competence in Operational Roles including Disptacher, Signaler, Duty Controller and Railway Incident Officer.
- Ensure Level Crossing checks are carried out to ensure compliance with the Level Crossing risk assessments and orders.
- Take a lead when incidents and accidents occur. Ensure that these occurrences are reported to the relevant authorities. Where necessary, ensure these are investigated properly and the learning points are shared.
- Promote a Safety Culture at all levels of the RH&DR operation.
- Work with other managers to develop and deliver the RH&DR special events programme.
- Ensure good communication with colleagues in other RH&DR departments.
- Liaise with and manage contractors working on or off site.
- Always Work safely, addressing or escalating health and safety concerns appropriately.
- Attend training as required to maintain competence and up-to-date knowledge.
- Undertake any other duties which may be required from time to time to contribute to the successful operation of the railway.

Reporting and Relationships:

- You will report directly to the General Manager.
- You will line-manage operations staff including the Duty Controller and Locomotive Drivers.
- You will liaise with the Engineering Manager on health and safety compliance matters.
- You will work with the Locomotive and Rollingstock Manager to fulfill the commercial needs of the RH&DR.
- You will liaise with the S&T and Permanent Way Managers to facilitate their works around the RH&DR.
- You will liaise with the Volunteering Manager to coordinate volunteer development.
- You will liaise with the Building Maintenance Manager to ensure buildings connected to the operation of the railway are maintained to a satisfactory standard.
- You will support, train and encourage paid and voluntary staff.

Person Specification The post holder will be required to pass a railway medical with the RH&DR Railway Doctor.

Essential:
- Experience of working in safety management role.
- Proven leadership and management skills.
- Sound knowledge of health and safety legislation.
- Knowled…