Become a rail traffic controller
Direct the railways: within an established team, you’ll take on a key hub function. Using modern and fully automated control systems, you guarantee trouble-free and safe railway operations.
Like a director, you’ll monitor and control the rail traffic in the rail network entrusted to you and correctly set the switches and signals. Thanks to your foresighted and skilful scheduling, you announce to the those involved what the correct operations are, thereby creating added value for our passengers, for example, by facilitating smooth connections with practical transfers on the same platform.
In the event of an incident, you keep cool, swiftly make key decisions, introduce the necessary measures in compliance with safety regulations and ensure information is passed on both internally and to passengers (for example, announcements on the platform).
You are in permanent contact with your team as well as train, locomotive and shunting staff. Thanks to your careful direction, people and goods reach their destination safely and on time.
Your training
During full-time training over 12 months, you are employed at BLS and benefit from our practical training plan.
In the Spiez operating centre, you gain practical experience; at the education and training facility, you simulate different scenarios and consolidate your knowledge in the learning group. Experienced, competent trainers provide you with constant support.
Your prove your knowledge and abilities in a final exam, which has both theoretical and practice parts.
Your contribution
You are an independent person with a sense of responsibility, ideally between 18 and 45 years of age and:
- have completed a 3-year vocational training course or attained a Matura school-leaving certificate,
- are fascinated about the exciting and diverse world of public transport,
- enjoy working in an modern IT environment,
- have a high level of safety awareness,
- think in a networked and analytical way,
- are able to keep calm and maintain an overview in hectic situations and incidents and make the right decisions,
- enjoy dealing with people and working in a team,
- have knowledge of French and Italian (level A2) or an interest in acquiring it,
- are willing to work irregular hours and work shifts at weekends.
Your prospects
You have chosen a challenging and responsible job where you will be on the front line directly influencing rail traffic.
After successfully completing your training, you will receive a permanent – depending on interest – part-time or full-time employment contract. BLS transports its customers and freight around the clock 365 days a year. The duty roster firstly gives you flexible leisure time (time off when others are working) and secondly guarantees separation: when you finish your shift, you are leaving work behind and can properly switch off.
Although your way of working is clearly structured and when there is an incident you follow a check list, no two days are ever the same. If you enjoy getting involved in situations like these, then this job is the right choice for you.
As a rail traffic controller, you can take on additional roles, such as working on projects and the system support or being a trainer. Or you can embark on a career in management and/or specialise, e.g. as a dispatcher, team leader or planning specialist.
Your next steps
Have you met the requirements? Are you curious? If you find a specific vacancy in our job market, you can apply directly online.
Or would you like to get to know us in person and visit our operations centre in Spiez? Then come to our information event, where you can chat about the specifics with our trained rail traffic controllers. You’ll also get useful information about the application process.
