Railway station manager

Railway station managers are in charge of organising tasks linked to the operation of train stations. Their tasks cover the organisation of the maintenance and repairment works for buildings and interior equipment. They care for the comfort, service, safety and security of passengers, other clients and the commercial use of buildings. Depending on the size of the station, the number of staff that railway station managers are directly responsible for can be high.

The following job titles also refer to railway station manager:

head of station
station master
manager of railway station
station director

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as railway station manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Railway station manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to railway station manager.

rail operations manager
rail project engineer
aviation communications and frequency coordination manager
airport planning engineer
packaging production manager

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of railway station manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of railway station manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of railway station manager.

Health and safety measures in transportation: The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to health and safety measures intended to prevent accidents or incidents in transportation.
Railway framework legislation: Know and apply railway framework legislation where requirements for railways in the EU are established. Know legislation that applies to the field of cross-border freight transit.
Rail infrastructure: Thoroughly understand the characteristics of railway infrastructure: rail technologies, track gauges, rail signalling, rail junctions, etc.

These skills are necessary for the role of railway station manager.

Assess railway operations: Review and study existing railroad equipment, facilities, systems and processes in order to improve railway safety and efficiency, increase quality, and reduce costs.
Lead a team: Lead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.
Maintain relationship with customers: Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and by supplying after-sales information and service.
Work in a rail transport team: Work confidently within a group in rail transport services, in which each individual has their own responsibility in working towards a common goal such as a good interaction with the customers, railway safety, and rolling stock maintenance.
Handle customer complaints: Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.
Maintain relationship with suppliers: Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.
Comply with legal regulations: Ensure you are properly informed of the legal regulations that govern a specific activity and adhere to its rules, policies and laws.
Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Follow-up actions resulting from railway facilities inspections: Follow-up actions resulting from inspection into railway facilities and the identification of malfunctions or discrepancies in station platforms, vending machines, station kiosks, railway vehicles, and other railroad facilities.
Handle incidents: Handle incidents, such as accidents, emergencies or theft in a appropriate manner according to the organisation’s policies and regulations.
Engage with rail stakeholders: Maintain regular contact with stakeholders including railroad networks, other train companies, local authorities, service partners, rail passenger forums, retail outlets etc. in order to permanently ensure a smooth rail service.
Maintain customer service: Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
Enforce railway safety regulations: Promote and enforce safety procedures and EU regulations to ensure that railway safety is generally maintained and continuously improved, taking into consideration the development of European legislation.
Coordinate rail services: Effectively manage a team within a variety of rail services such as rail information and communication systems, station and train accessibility, hygiene and cleanliness, safety, security, disruption and incident investigation, to permanently ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
Operate railway communication systems: Operate railway communication systems; make announcements over the public address system or communicate with central train administration.
Track train delays: Identify train delays; ensure movement of priority trains; coordinate protection of wide/high loads or special railway operations.
Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
Improve rail service delivery: Responsible for planning and implementing new ways of improving train service delivery to ensure the best possible customer experience at all times.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of railway station manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of railway station manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

1324 – Supply, distribution and related managers

 

 

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References

1. Railway station manager – ESCO