Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to improve quality of life, by bringing people together to get the most out of life.

SWR is part of FirstGroup, the largest rail operator in the UK and second largest bus operator in the UK outside London. FirstGroup operates services throughout the UK and Ireland, with over 30,000 employees providing services that make travel smoother and life easier.  FirstGroup works hard to reduce its impact on the environment, introducing cleaner and more environmentally responsible methods of transport.

About the job

To lead the Rail Community Officer team by example in the provision of a secure working environment for employees and customers of South Western Railway, enabling them to go about their business without fear of violence intimidation, or harassment.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Identify training requirements within team
• Assist with briefing process for team
• Assist with joint operational planning
• Enforcement of all railway legislation and other summary offences using conventional reporting methods.
• To prepare and submit written statements of evidence and to attend court to support prosecutions where necessary.
• Work as part of a team of Rail Community Officers and BTP staff
• To compile concise, comprehensive reports on activity witnessed
• The use of powers conferred to the individual by the Chief Constable of the BTP
• Proactively patrol known crime hotspot areas
• Engage with railway employees and members of the public to ensure the safety and security of the network
• Engage and establish relationships with the local community and non-railway agencies
• To act as a witness in court where and when necessary
• To actively engage in the prevention of anti-social behaviour
• To supplement uniform presence at the scene of emergencies and major incidents etc
• To respond to police requests in assisting control of access to sites, customer care assistance and any other appropriate duties

You'll need to be:

• Previous experience of performing in a high-pressure environment
• Previous customer service experience
• Railway Byelaw knowledge
• GCSE or equivalent level of education
• To be accredited under the ACPO Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme
• PACE trained and maintained competency
• Other qualifications as necessary

This role requires the post holder to be accredited under the Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme.  The post holder is required to pass the required training and police vetting process.  The police vetting process suspends the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Applicants who require a visa must have 6 months remaining at the time of their appointment. Training is full time and you must be able to commit to this.

Working pattern

On average you will be working 37 hours per week across 4 days per week.

You will join a 6-week rolling roster, shifts include both earlies and lates:
1st Week: Mon to Thurs 0800 - 1715
2nd Week: Tues to Friday 0800 - 1715
3rd week: Sun/Weds to Sat 1545 - 0100 (Sunday shift hours are 1045 till 2000)
4th Week: Thurs to Sat 1545 - 0100
1 x Sunday every 4 weeks

Hours and shifts can be changed depending on business needs.

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Large range of exclusive retail offers
• Excellent pension scheme

We all belong at SWR. FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below.  We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/