Operations Officer
Operations officers are responsible for helping to ensure that the day-to-day operation of tram services is reliable and efficient.Operations officers help to monitor tram schedules and staff rotas and also ensure that trams are maintained and kept clean. They may also take responsibility for collecting cash (in fares boxes) from drivers at the end of their shifts.
Other tasks for operations officers can include keeping records of tram use including passenger numbers and fares taken, and managing the issue of travel passes. Operations officers may also deal with customer complaints, and provide support the customer service assistants who have initial contact with customers.
The starting salary for an operations officer is around £13000. This can rise with experience.Go Back
Working environment
Operations officers work in an office based at a tram depot or at the company’s head office. They use a computer and may work on specialist performance monitoring and planning systems designed for the company, as well as the standard computing packages.Operations officers are normally expected to dress smartly, though they usually do not have to wear a uniform. If they spend any time in the depot, they will be expected to wear high visibility clothing for their own safety.
The normal working hours for an operations officer are up to 40 each week. Most operations officers work standard office hours although some companies may employ officers who work shifts which can include weekends, early mornings or late nights.Go Back
Skills and interests
Operations officers need to be well organised and capable of undertaking more than one task at any one time.The skills required to be an operations officer include:
- good communication
- organisation and planning
- numeracy
- able to work as part of a team, but also to take own initiative when required.
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Entry into the role
Tram employers will normally require that applicants for the role of operations officer have a sound standard of literacy and numeracy, such as GCSEs (or national equivalent) in maths and English. The ability to be organised is very important.Currently there are seven tram and metro systems in the UK; these are based in major towns and cities around the UK – Blackpool, Croydon, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Tyne and Wear and the West Midlands. There is also a light rail system (Docklands Light Rail) which operates in London.
Jobs can be advertised in the local press or at employment agencies or organisations such as Jobcentre Plus. Most companies also use their own company website to advertise vacancies.
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Opportunities
Operations officers can progress to take on added responsibilities for planning or service performance.There are qualifications that are relevant to the role of operations officer:-
- EDI level 2 certificate in road passenger transport
- NVQ level 2 in road passenger transport operations (offered by Edexcel and EDI).Go Back