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Railway Signal Operator

712917 · Heavy Next-day ready

Career data Close match

Rail operators move wagons and locomotives between railway tracks to keep train traffic organised and on schedule.

Most common salary $82k – $110k
Upper salary up to $135k
Training 0-1 year

Description

Controls the movement of trains, and assembles and disassembles trains within a marshalling yard.

Typical work tasks

  • Directs trains within marshalling yards; breaks apart and join train wagons and carriages; places wagons, carriages and engines into sidings; directs outgoing trains to the main line; may conduct safety checks.

Typical work environment

  • Works outdoors in marshalling or railway yards and on railway tracks.
  • Work areas are likely to be noisy on occasion.
  • Works in all weather conditions.
  • Often works shifts and outside of normal hours to ensure service is maintained.
  • Protective clothing and equipment will be utilised as required.

Typical physical and mental demands

  • Medium to heavy physical demand levels.
  • Sitting is not required.
  • Stands and walks about the work area constantly.
  • Stretching up, down or across is required for signalling activities and to join or break apart wagons and carriages.
  • Squatting, bending or crouching is frequently required.
  • Twisting of the body or neck is required on a frequent basis.
  • Pushing and pulling is required frequently.
  • Repetitive hand and arm movements are required when signalling trains.
  • Driving of cars is not required.
  • Mental skills necessary include observation, organisation, practical, technical and problem-solving skills.
Entry signal Reviewed

Enter via experience or on-the-job training; no mandatory pre-entry qualification. Flagged next-day ready.

Entry barrier Experience or on-job training
Licence / registration No licence required
ANZSCO skill level 4
Next-day ready Yes

How this was determined (model-generated): Railway signal operator trained/certified internally by KiwiRail; snippet has no licensing clause; experience_or_training/none/next-day confirmed.

Entry Requirements

  • A New Zealand Register Level 2 or 3 qualification or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4). In some instances relevant experience may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

Further Comments

  • There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.