Job Vacancy: Inspector of Rail Accidents
Rail Accidents Investigation Board
Department for Transport
Reference number: 429838
Salary: £84,838 A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
Job grade: Grade 7
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time
Location: Aldershot, Derby
Are you interested in making a significant contribution to railway safety in the United Kingdom?
Are you looking for a job that enables you to travel and get out and about in the railway industry, as well as working in a highly collaborative and supportive office
environment?
If the answer to all of the above questions is yes, and you have the experience and knowledge we are looking for, then you might be interested in applying to be an inspector at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
Find out more about what it’s like working at RAIB: www.raib.gov.uk
Job description
The RAIB is the independent railway accident investigation organisation for the UK. Our aim is to improve the safety of railways and inform the industry and the public. We do not apportion blame or liability. The RAIB is a highly professional and widely respected investigation body with well-established links with every part of the UK industry, and international equivalents.
The scope of the RAIB’s investigations is wide and varied. The RAIB’s remit extends to the whole of the UK and includes the mainline railway network, metros (including the London Underground), light railways and tramways, the Channel Tunnel, Northern Ireland Railways and heritage railways. It is independent of the railway industry, safety regulators and prosecution bodies.
The RAIB has operational centres in Derby and Aldershot. It employs a team of specialists drawn from the railway industry, including those with backgrounds in rolling stock design, infrastructure, railway signalling and operations on the mainline network. Others have experience in the metro and light rail sectors. It also employs people who have investigative experience and those with experience in relevant areas such as human factors and data recorders.
You will be directly responsible for investigating accidents and incidents, which will include deploying to site, gathering evidence, conducting tests, detailed analysis
and report writing. You will not work alone, but as part of an experienced, enthusiastic and collaborative team. You will also liaise and work with other
specialists and industry parties.
Although you will join the RAIB with skills, knowledge and experience that will be of value to the Branch, your RAIB training will ensure you have a thorough understanding across all rail technical and operational matters, as well as comprehensive investigation skills.
There are four teams of Inspectors, two each at Derby and Aldershot.
As a front line investigator you will be part of a team of inspectors with diverse skills. You will:
- investigate accidents to determine the circumstances and the causes;
- be accountable for the quality of your investigation;
- prepare clear and accurate reports, formulate recommendations to prevent future accidents;
- provide expert advice to colleagues; and
- represent the RAIB and liaise with the public and with external organisations
To enable you to become a rail accident investigator, the RAIB will train you and you will gain experience by working alongside other team members in support of their investigations. You will be expected to develop a detailed knowledge of relevant RAIB investigation processes and will be required to demonstrate competencies and experience to become qualified to lead an investigation.
On an ongoing basis you will be expected to keep abreast of developments in railway technology and operations to ensure the currency of your knowledge.
These roles offer exceptional job satisfaction, team working, personal challenge and a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in every aspect of a complex and dynamic industry.
Special Features of the Role
One week in every three inspectors are on-call and can be required to travel to an accident site anywhere in the UK with only 30 minutes notice. Although at first sight this might seem onerous, duty rosters are published well in advance to enable you to plan ahead, and can nearly always be flexed to accommodate family events and other commitments.
Although we welcome applications from all interested candidates, you must be aware that you will be required to live within approximately one hour’s travelling
time from the relevant operational centre once in post. If you have to relocate to take up a position with us, you may be eligible to claim relocation expenses up to a maximum of £5,000, in accordance with Departmental policy.
For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only – whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Person specification
Transport accident investigation is a specialist role, and we will provide comprehensive training for the successful applicants. The experience we are seeking is therefore focused on the attributes that will make a good investigator. We will be seeking people who have experience of:
- working in an environment where delivery of evidence-based output, based on structured analytical techniques, has been a primary requirement
- applying your empathetic skills to obtain the best possible information from people
- leading a team to solve a complex and/or multi-disciplinary problem, and then using the output of that work to successfully address a real-world challenge
- using your interpersonal skills to enhance collaboration with people outside your immediate team
- effective communication of a complicated or difficult message
- An understanding of safety and safety learning and experience of involvement within it
- Ability to communicate complex issues in a way that is easy to understand
- Experience of using evidence and applying expertise to analyse a complex issue, and using the knowledge gained to make effective decisions
- Delivering significant projects whilst working under time pressures
- Proven ability to build and maintain a network of colleagues and stakeholders
You will also need to have substantial experience at a senior level in one or more of the following disciplines:
- Railway Safety and risk management
- Track (S&C or plain line)
- Railway – structures
- Traction and Rolling Stock
- Software systems engineering in a safety critical industry
Additional Information
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.
This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
Licences
Full Drivers Licence Valid in the UK
Memberships
Candidates will need to be a member of or working towards full membership of one of the following:
IOSH
IMechE
IET
PWI
ICE
IRSE
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Applying Expertise and Technology – AIB Competency
- Written communication – AIB Competency
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £84,838, Department for Transport contributes £24,577 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).
Closing date: 2 November 2025.