Trainee Train PlannerSydney TrainsInformation pack

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Contents

So you want to be a Trainee Train Planner 2

Trainee Train Planner role responsibilities 4

About the Trainee Train Planner learning program 6

About Sydney Trains 8

About Sydney Trains Planning unit 11

Our core values 15

Employment matters, benefits and policy 16

The recruitment and selection process 18

Job related testing, more information 21

© Sydney Trains Document owner: Talent Information accurate as at 1/12/2021 Printed copies are uncontrolled.

How to use this information pack

Carefully read all the information in this pack.

Think about whether the role is right for you and your lifestyle.

You will be tested on how well you understand and retain the information in this pack throughout the application process, so study it carefully.

We look forward to reviewing your application and hope to welcome you aboard soon!

So you want to be a Trainee Train Planner

Being a Trainee Train Planner with Sydney Trains is a rewarding job. You’ll join a friendly and passionate team and get hands-on with cutting edge train technology, all while making a real dif-ference for our customers by connecting them to work, school and loved ones.

Every day we help customers across NSW get to their destinations quickly and safely.

Our team is a supportive environment where trainees can learn the technical and personal attrib-utes to succeed in their career at Sydney Trains. Upon completing the 12-month training program, our trainees can apply for Train Planner opportunities and have clear career pathways into more senior roles in both Sydney Trains and more broadly across Transport for NSW.

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The extensive training and supportive environment helped me learn a great deal and

I now lead my own team of Train Planners

Rui Yi, Team Leader Daily Working Timetable Team and former Trainee Train Planner

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It takes a particular type of person – someone who is organised, reliable and loves to solve problems.

While becoming a Trainee Train Planner is a rewarding and dynamic job, your journey as a trainee will require a lot of hard work and commitment. During your 12-month traineeship, you’ll complete a rigorous training program that includes classroom learning as well as on-the-job training to help you learn the skills for the job.

As we’re relying on you to help keep our network running safely and reliably, you’ll need to ensure that you come to work with absolutely no alcohol or prohibited drugs in your system and submit to random testing regularly. You’ll sometimes work in high-pressure situations while always keeping the safety of our customers, your teammates and yourself at the heart of everything you do.

This information pack contains everything you need to know before applying for a role with Sydney Trains. Read through it and think carefully about whether the role is right for you. You will be tested on the information in this pack throughout the application process.

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Trainee Train Planner role responsibilities

Becoming a Trainee Train Planner is an entry-level role designed to be the first step towards becoming a Train Planner. Trainee Train Planners play an important part in helping us deliver safe, reliable and timely services for our customers. We’ll help you develop your understanding of how network operations for Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink come together during your traineeship.

A lot goes into being a Trainee Train Planner – this is a dynamic, deadline-driven role that holds a high degree of responsibility in maintaining our network operations.

The Trainee Train Planner program runs for 12 months. Trainee Train Planners assist with timetabling trains to support the delivery of the Daily Working Timetable (DWTT) and producing Special Train Notices to communicate daily alterations.

Our DWTT teams are considered our ‘solutions’ engine room when we receive notification of events such as possessions, events and additional trains. You’ll help us update the DWTT with the relevant information needed to deliver a safe, reliable network every single day.

Over time, you’ll develop an understanding of infrastructure, signalling, crewing, fleet, maintenance, freight, electrical/traction, timetabling, and service delivery by regularly interacting and collaborating with people from across these disciplines.

During your traineeship, you’ll also have the opportunity to work across other areas of the Planning unit to develop your knowledge of our unit’s key functions and meet the teams involved in our operations.

This role is a fantastic entry point for a career with Transport for NSW that allows you to learn highly specialised skills while earning a competitive salary. Starting as a Trainee Train Planner gives you clear career progression pathways into roles such as Train Planner, Senior Train Planner and Team Leader. After completing your traineeship, you’ll be eligible to apply for various available Train Planner positions.

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The working environment

Our Trainee Train Planners work within a dynamic team environment, collaborating closely with other operational teams in our state-of-the-art Rail Operations Centre, located at 177-187 Wyndham Street, Alexandria.

Trainee Train Planners work a 19 day month/76 hours per fortnight.

Core business hours for this role are between 6 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. Although trainees generally only work on weekdays, weekend work may occasionally be required to ensure we can meet the needs of our customers and keep our network running efficiently.

There are lots of opportunities for advancement and exposure... My secondment in the Trackwork Transport

team has taught me new skills, I’ve engaged with different stakeholders got exposure to a new environment.

Rui Yi

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About the Trainee Train Planner learning program

The Trainee Train Planner program is a 12-month traineeship that will equip you with the necessary skills required to apply for Train Planner roles when you’ve completed the course.

Program structure

The Trainee Train Planner program is a combination of off-the-job and on-the-job training.

Off-the-job training

You will spend the first several months of the program in a classroom environment where you’ll learn the technical skills of the role. This includes building a thorough understanding of our systems and processes in a hands-on, simulated, competency-based environment.

On-the-job training

Upon completion of your classroom training, you will move onto the Production floor and join the Daily Working Timetable (DWTT) Production team. This allows you to practise and learn how to apply your new skills and knowledge in the real working environment with all its complexities.

Your training will help you develop an understanding of the skills and knowledge required to work in a live environment.

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70-20-10 learning

Your learning program will follow the 70-20-10 model:

70% of learning takes place on the job and includes working with your colleagues and building your experience in a work environment.

20% of your learning is based on building working relationships and getting feedback from people like your training facilitator or team leader.

10% of learning takes place in a classroom, in workshops and via eLearning.

70-20-10 represents relative quantities of time, not importance.

Assessments

In order to successfully complete your training, you’ll be required to complete a range of assessments in different formats including in the classroom, practical on-the-job training and simulated assessments.

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About Sydney Trains

From 1 July 2013, two new rail organisations have served the different needs of Sydney metropolitan and regional and intercity customers. Our services connect communities with the things that are important to them, such as medical, educational, and leisure services, shopping and visiting loved ones.

Sydney Trains NSW Trains

Sydney Trains operate quick, frequent and reliable services in the Sydney suburban area bounded by Berowra, Richmond, Emu Plains, Macarthur and Waterfall stations.

NSW Trains operate services between Sydney and the Hunter, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and South Coast regions, as well as the interstate network.

The following network maps outline the stations which are operated by Sydney Trains (Sydney Trains network) and those stations which are operated by NSW TrainLink (Intercity Trains network).

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City

For more information about public transport, please visit transport nsw dot info or call 1 3 1 5 0 0.

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Regional trains and coaches

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About Sydney Trains Planning unit

Trainee Train Planners are part of Sydney Trains’ Planning unit, which sits within our Customer Operations directorate. Our Planning unit plays a critical role in ensuring a reliable and safe network and services for our customers.

The Planning unit is responsible for:

• Maintaining the Standard Working Timetable (SWTT)

• Producing the Daily Working Timetable (DWTT)

• Producing Crew Schedules

Standard Working Timetable

The Standard Working Timetable (SWTT) is a baseline plan which outlines all train movements and network activities over a seven day period.

SWTT’s are typically refreshed every two to three years by Transport for NSW and provided to Sydney Trains’ Planning unit. Once a new SWTT is implemented, our Planning unit takes over the ongoing timetable maintenance and is responsible for implementing any changes required to optimise the timetable. Factors that may influence the need to amend or change the timetable include new infrastructure, ministerial requests, or customer feedback on services.

Daily Working Timetable

In a real-time environment, certain factors can impact how we deliver the SWTT. These factors can include:

• Track possessions

• Special events

• Special trains

• Works trains

The DWTT is developed for each day of network operations and considers the factors listed above, and contains alterations to the SWTT for the real-time environment. The DWTT underpins all operations relating to planning and service delivery activities on any given day.

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Triggers for alterations to the Daily Working Timetable in more detail

Track possessions occur when a section of track is taken out of service for activities such as:

• Annual maintenance program

• Track or line upgrades

To minimise the impact on customers, these activities usually occur outside peak periods.

Special or major events can impact the timetable in several ways:

• Some events such as the Royal Easter Show or New Year’s Eve will require an entirely new timetable

• Implementing additional services for sporting and cultural events including: NRL finals, State of Origin matches, Anzac days services, concerts and festivals

Special trains are trains that operate in addition to the SWTT. These include:

• Services operated by Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink and private operators

• Waratah train testing

• Crew training

• School charter services

• Heritage steam trains

Works trains use the Sydney Trains network for works-related activities which may include:

• Transferring vehicles to possession sites

• Maintenance and inspections

• Overhead wiring inspections

• Track inspection vehicles

• Herbicide spraying

• Ballast cleaning

Our work often feels like one big puzzle for trains to run smoothly and for customers to get to their destinations. I like that my work has tangible

effects and contributes to the community.

Rui Yi

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How we produce the Daily Working Timetable

We commence work on producing the DWTT up to 26 weeks in advance and continue to manage activities to produce the final timetable up until the day before.

Key activities and the timelines related to producing the DWTT include:

Activity Approximate timeline

Facilitate approval of bids for additional activities on the network.

26 to 14 weeks in advance

Develop timetabling specifications for approved daily alterations.

14 to 12 weeks in advance

Train Planners add, alter or cancel services and update daily timetable to facilitate possessions, path work trains, path special trains and facilitate additional freight trains.

12 weeks to one day in advance

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How the Daily Working Timetable is used across Sydney Trains

Once developed, the DWTT is shared with teams across Sydney Trains to ensure all relevant stakeholders have the information they need to plan or update activities they’re responsible for across our network.

The Passenger Information and Communications team will update:

• Station displays

• iPhone apps

• transportnsw.info website

• On-board passenger information

• Voice announcements

• Marketing

The Operations Planning team will amend or arrange:

• Staff rosters for drivers, guards and security staff

• Alternative transport arrangements, such as buses to replace trains when track possessions take place

• Train rosters

• Maintenance and cleaning

The Operations Delivery and Train Control teams are responsible for updating:

• Signallers, Train Controllers, crew and station staff to execute plan

• Automated signal control

• On-time running reporting

• Train location system

• Incident reporting

• Fleet tracking

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Our core values

Our SPACE behaviours

Promoting the core belief that safety is our greatest priority and that all injuries are preventable.

Taking pride in your role, your presentation and recognising your value within the organisation.

Owning your actions and being bold and pragmatic in decision-making, while expecting the same of your team.

Promoting open communication, working effectively across lines, accommodating different perspectives and sharing ideas.

Striving for excellence; continuiously acting to exceed your own, the business’ and our customer expectations, and acting with a focus on the optimum end result.

Our Customer Service Principles• First impressions count

• Friendly and ready to help

• Communicate clearly

• Find a solution

• Share your knowledge

• Work together

Our Customer Service Communication Principles• Talk straight in a professional manner — be clear and concise

• Communicate proactively — don’t wait for only negative issues

• Reinforce an open communication culture

• Maintain the truth — a single source of key messages

• Talking involves listening

• Tailor messages to meet your employees and customers needs

• Strive for excellence in communication at all times

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Employment matters, benefits and policy

Benefits and entitlement

The commencing base salary for a Trainee Train Planner is $79,934 per annum.

In addition, employees receive:

• 10% superannuation

• Penalty rates (as applicable)

• Annual leave loading

• Shift allowances (as applicable)

Travel benefits

All Sydney Trains employees receive an employee travel pass valid on the NSW public transport system including:

• Sydney Trains

• NSW TrainLink

• State Transit Buses

• Sydney Ferries

• Sydney Metro

Leave entitlements• Annual leave: 5 weeks per year (shift workers)

• Extended (long service) leave: 2 months after 10 years of service, and 11 working days of extended leave for each additional completed year of service

• Parental leave: 14 weeks for primary carers and 2 weeks for secondary carers

• Sick leave: 15 days per year (cumulative)

Code of conduct

Sydney Trains employees must:

• Behave honestly, courteously and ethically

• Work in a safe, healthy and efficient manner

• Observe the awards, policies and job requirements

• Act in the best interests of Sydney Trains and its customers

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Drug and alcohol policy

Sydney Trains is a drug and alcohol free workplace and is committed to providing a safe environment for all employees, contractors and customers through reducing the risks created by the use of drugs and alcohol.

To achieve this vision, everyone in the workplace is required to:

• Participate in our random drug and alcohol testing program

• Have test readings showing zero concentration of alcohol in the blood

• Have a test reading less than the cut off level stipulated in the Australian / New Zealand Standard 4308 (AS/NZS 4308) for tolerances of drugs

• Not have or sell alcohol or prohibited drugs in the workplace

• Not be in possession of any item or piece of equipment for the use or administration of a prohibited drug at any Sydney Trains workplace.

The Sydney Trains Drug and Alcohol program is consistent with our corporate values and behaviours. It also provides support for our employees to remain drug and alcohol free while at work.

Measures to reduce safety risk, absenteeism and other effects in the workplace due to the consumption of drugs and alcohol will include the opportunity to self-identify and seek help, rehabilitation programs and education on drug and alcohol related issues.

Uniform and grooming standards

Sydney Trains employees must present themselves in a professional manner, including wearing the designated uniform and required safety gear appropriate to operations.

Everyone in our team is very supportive and cares for each other. We have a wide range of people of all ages

and backgrounds, and that helps us understand and adjust to any challenges that come our way.

Claire Barrell, Acting Team Leader and former Trainee Train Planner

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The recruitment and selection process

Merit selection

Sydney Trains has a merit based recruitment and selection policy. Merit is decided by taking into account the relevant position and assessing the skills, abilities, qualifications, experience and personal qualities of each applicant.

What’s involved?

We use a variety of techniques to assess and validate key knowledge areas, critical skills and fit for the role. These include:

• Pre-screening questions as part of your application

• Short video interview

• Job related testing

• Assessment centre and/or interview

• Medical assessment

• NSW Government Agency employment review

• National Police Check

• Reference checks

Job related testing

You will be required to complete two job related tests. These tests reflect the skills and abilities required to effectively and safely perform the role of a Trainee Train Planner.

Tests will be timed with multiple choice responses. You will be given instructions and practice questions for the test on the day. To move forward in the selection process, you will need to meet established benchmarks during the testing process.

The two tests you will be asked to complete include:

Verbal reasoning - this test is designed to measure your ability to evaluate complex written information.

Numerical reasoning - this test measures your ability to understand mathematical concepts.

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Assessment centre

Applicants who meet the selection criteria and the standards required at the job related testing phase may be invited to attend an assessment centre. This will involve a structured series of activities based on various aspects of the role’s selection criteria.

Interview

Applicants who have met the selection criteria throughout the recruitment process will then progress to the interview stage. Our Talent team will be in touch to arrange an interview. Interviews may be conducted face to face or virtually. The interview process will follow current Public Health Orders to ensure your safety.

NSW Government employment review

Service history checks are undertaken on all current and previous Sydney Trains (RailCorp, State Rail or Rail Infrastructure Corporation RIC) employees. A service history check is also undertaken on all current NSW Government Agency employees.

A satisfactory service check is required before an application will be progressed to the next stage. An applicant may be culled from the process if the results of the service and conduct check are unsatisfactory.

Reference checks

In your application form you will be asked to provide the contact details of two recent work-related referees.

• Referees should be a current or previous manager or supervisor who can comment on your work performance (within the last 5 years)

• Referee details can be updated at the pre-employment check stage.

• Personal character referees are not acceptable

Medical assessment

The Trainee Train Planner position requires a Non-Rail Safety medical assessment. This includes a drug and alcohol screening and health questionnaire.

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National Police Check

A National Police Check is conducted through an authorised agency for all external applicants.

Applicants found to have a criminal record will have their individual circumstances taken into consideration. Depending on the offence and when it occurred, a criminal record does not automatically disqualify candidates from the recruitment process.

Appointment process

This recruitment campaign aims to fill a number of traineeship postitions. If you are successful in securing a position, you will be notified regarding your commencement date.

An Eligibility List of additional successful applicants may be created for future Trainee Train Planner intakes and is valid for 12 months.

There is a six-month probationary period from your date of commencement which may be extended under certain circumstances.

I get to make a tangible difference to people’s lives, whether it’s streamlining their commute or getting

everyone to a concert and home afterwards. While people don’t notice our team when everything

goes well, they would notice if we weren’t here.

Claire Barrell

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Job related testing, more information

What is job related testing?

• Job Related Testing is used by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to assist in determining a candidate’s suitability for employment

• Testing ensures that our selection decisions are objective and fair and based on a candidate’s ability to perform in the role effectively

• Testing makes up just one component of the selection process

• All testing sessions are administered under standardised testing procedures, this means the same conditions for everyone

Job related testing consent

When you lodge an application you give consent for TfNSW to:

• Undertake job related testing with you

• Use the information gathered from testing to assist in determining your suitability for employment

• Use your results for research purposes - at which time any personal information such as your name and date of birth is removed

• Use the results to assist staff development, should a candidate be appointed to the role

• Assist decision making of third parties in the event of a review (where applicable)

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Job related testing — validity of results

• The results for the Reading Comprehension you complete will remain valid for 12-months

• You will not be eligible to re-sit this test again within that time

Any valid testing results you have will be taken into consideration if you apply for other TfNSW roles in the next 12 months which use the same tests. I.e. if the same tests are used in the recruiting process for roles within Sydney Trains and NSW Trains, then the results from today will transfer over and remain valid for a 12 month period.

Job related testing confidentiality

• All of the information collected throughout the job related testing process is treated with strict confidentiality

• Only those responsible for processing your application (the Recruitment and Assessment Services team) and the selection panel will have access to your test results

• It is important that you do your best throughout the testing process. If you feel you cannot complete the test to the best of your ability on the day of your test, please let us know and we may be able to reschedule your testing session.