Track Protection Officer

Also known as: Possession Protection Officer

Job Role: Implements safety procedures to protect rail and track workers

Skills required to be a Track Protection Officer

Strong communication skills
Ability to work independently
Ability to work well in a team
Ability to assess and plan
Eye for detail
Safety awareness
Problem solving
Work under pressure

Job role

Instruct and coordinate staff, Administrative tasks, Identify and manage risks

Overview

The role

Track Protection Officers keep the worksite and workers safe. There are several levels of track protection officer. Depending on your level, your duties may include:

• arranging and implementing safeworking rules and procedures
• talking to signallers about protection arrangements
• making safety assessments for planning work in the rail corridor
• instructing workers about safe places, protection arrangements, safety measures.

Skills required

Skills required to be a Track Protection Officer

Physically fit
Valid drivers licence
Ability to work outdoors
Good communication skills
Prioritise safety of oneself and others

Entry pathways

Previous experience

Track Protection Officers often come from a career in:

construction or property services
engineering or manufacturing
other mobile plant operations
railway track operations
resources sector.

Minimum requirements

There are several levels of track protection officer. Minimum training and qualification requirements vary according to the level and the requirements of the rail infrastructure manager.

Generally, lower level Track Protection Officers are required to have a construction industry white card and nine units of competency mostly found in TLI21921 - Certificate II in Track Protection, including:

Safely access the rail corridor
Conduct track protection assessment
Operate under track protection rules
Perform lookout duties
Implement a track occupancy authority
Pilot rail traffic within work on track authority limits
Clip and secure points
Use audible track warning devices
Implement absolute signal blocking.

Higher levels require extra units of competency found in the TLI32721 - Certificate III in Track Protection including:

Implement a track work authority and manage rail traffic through worksites
Implement a local possession authority
Plan and coordinate protection for multiple worksites within limits of a work on track authority.

Full qualifications are not usually expected.

(Required units of competency may vary, talk to your rail infrastructure manager or rail operator for specific information relating to their workplace.)

Career progression

What a Track Protection Officer's career progression can look like

Track protection officers may look to advance their career by moving into roles such as work or team leader, track access coordinator, network control officer, and logistics and infrastructure.

What do I do next

What do I do next?

Our findings include information from the Australian Industry Standards' Seamless Future Rail Skills report. To find out more about Track Protection Officer roles signalling technician roles see their training pathways.

For more information on becoming a Track Protection Officer:

check out the Work in Rail website
talk to your careers adviser
get in touch with your union
contact your local TAFE
if you already work in rail, talk to your employer.

Meet the people

Naomi Davies was working in aged care when she changed career direction and took on a job as a Track Protection Officer. She now works as a Track Force Protection Coordinator with Metro Trains Melbourne.

Read about her journey here.

If you have great job in rail, get in touch.