London Underground - CSA1 / CSA2 - Recruitment and Discussion

[GoldenChef]

hey guys
threads been super quiet so i thought i’d check in with new starters!
-what are your shifts like?
-how similar is training to station life?
-is anyone looking to nominate to csa1 or any other roles?

 

[T103]

CSA1 night tube job is out! Please note this is only for part-time.

Good luck

Search & apply | Transport for London

Just a reminder about this:


Confidentiality of the recruitment process

Please be aware that sharing any details of your assessment process, or internal information with others may result in your offer being withdrawn immediately.

This includes posting or discussing details in online forums, social media groups, or messaging platforms. Maintaining confidentiality is essential to ensure fairness and compliance throughout the recruitment process.

If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact us directly rather than seeking advice in external groups. Failure to comply with this requirement will lead to withdrawal without notice.

 

[Mawkie]

CSA1 night tube job is out! Please note this is only for part-time.

Good luck

Interestingly...

Candidates who apply to this CSA1 Night Tube campaign, will also be able to opt in to be put forward to any CSA1 Part Time (PM) and CSA1 Weekend Days vacancies that should arise. Candidates cannot opt for Part Time (PM) or Weekend Days only, this campaign is primarily to recruit for Night Tube vacancies.

A decent way in for people who perhaps have other responsibilities during the week.

 

[GoldenChef]

I would have loved to been able to apply for this!

 

[Mawkie]

CSA1 night tube job is out! Please note this is only for part-time.

Good luck

Search & apply | Transport for London

This job is no longer available. I think they took it down as it seemed to require the applicants to be internal, rather than external. Hopefully it pops up again.

I would have loved to been able to apply for this!

Too late! You start training soon if I remember correctly.

 

[bluegoblin7]

Been a CSA for roughly a year and half moved to a CSA 1 around 7 months in im currently looking to move into the service control department and control rooms have asked around but haven’t got the right answers just looking for advice

With respect, 7 months as a CSA is not enough time on the Underground to even consider Service Controller - it is impossible to gain the requisition knowledge and experience of this role within that time period, even if you’ve been dealing with major incidents on a daily basis (major being things that haven’t really happened in the last 7 months!).

It is a shame that the old Service Operator role isn’t available, as this did provide great insight and experience for anyone who wanted to get into service control.

This isn’t intended to dishearten you - and you have nothing to lose by applying for the role - but SCL2 is one of the hardest jobs on the railway, let alone just LUL, and a strong working knowledge of rules and procedures, as well as experience of incidents and issues, is essential.

You will certainly be made welcome at any control room for a visit, though - feel free to DM me and I will share my work email address, or you can reach out to the SCM of a line - I would suggest it being one connected to your station so you have some operational knowledge already - just knowing the geography helps!

Best of luck anyway. Service Control is an incredibly high pressure and challenging department, but also incredibly rewarding.

 

[mrhk]

This job is no longer available. I think they took it down as it seemed to require the applicants to be internal, rather than external. Hopefully it pops up again.


Too late! You start training soon if I remember correctly.

I've seen two people on Instagram advertise this publically and this was up for a good few days. Can only assume the posting went down due to the volume of applicants.

 

[tsb_01]

With respect, 7 months as a CSA is not enough time on the Underground to even consider Service Controller - it is impossible to gain the requisition knowledge and experience of this role within that time period, even if you’ve been dealing with major incidents on a daily basis (major being things that haven’t really happened in the last 7 months!).

It is a shame that the old Service Operator role isn’t available, as this did provide great insight and experience for anyone who wanted to get into service control.

This isn’t intended to dishearten you - and you have nothing to lose by applying for the role - but SCL2 is one of the hardest jobs on the railway, let alone just LUL, and a strong working knowledge of rules and procedures, as well as experience of incidents and issues, is essential.

You will certainly be made welcome at any control room for a visit, though - feel free to DM me and I will share my work email address, or you can reach out to the SCM of a line - I would suggest it being one connected to your station so you have some operational knowledge already - just knowing the geography helps!

Best of luck anyway. Service Control is an incredibly high pressure and challenging department, but also incredibly rewarding.

Just wanted to ask questions on the role since I’ve always been interested,had a feeling I need more experience thank you clearing things up always . quick further question how do the shift patterns look like and how is it different to the CSA roles and would you advise going the apprenticeship route first since I know they release them every year

 

[Nubois17]

Hey all!

I applied for NT CSA1 and have been on the waiting list for around two years. I’ve finally been offered a training date and also have my OH booked, so things are finally moving forward!

For anyone currently applying, or who has received a conditional offer, I’d say just be patient. I know everyone’s timeline is different, but as others have mentioned, the process definitely isn’t linear.

Also, really appreciate the detailed breakdown from @markazz on what to expect and what the four week training involves. It’s great to have some fresh, up to date information.

I had a few questions about the CSA1 NT role for anyone who might know:

• Are NT staff able to work overtime during the week?
• How often is overtime typically available?
• Is overtime paid at a different rate to the standard contractual rate?

Would really appreciate any insight. Thanks!

 

[markazz]

Hey all!

I applied for NT CSA1 and have been on the waiting list for around two years. I’ve finally been offered a training date and also have my OH booked, so things are finally moving forward!

For anyone currently applying, or who has received a conditional offer, I’d say just be patient. I know everyone’s timeline is different, but as others have mentioned, the process definitely isn’t linear.

Also, really appreciate the detailed breakdown from @markazz on what to expect and what the four week training involves. It’s great to have some fresh, up to date information.

I had a few questions about the CSA1 NT role for anyone who might know:

• Are NT staff able to work overtime during the week?
• How often is overtime typically available?
• Is overtime paid at a different rate to the standard contractual rate?

Would really appreciate any insight. Thanks!

Glad to hear everything is moving forward, thought I'd quickly reply whilst waiting for my cab to take me in for a dead early.

1. Yes, NT staff are able to work OT as long as it is within the working time framework.

2. LU runs on OT, I must get 2 or 3 emails a day asking for availability, so there is plenty available.

3. OT is paid at 1¼ times normal rate.

Good luck on your CSA journey, definitely worth the wait.

Kind regards,

Markazz

 

[Nubois17]

Glad to hear everything is moving forward, thought I'd quickly reply whilst waiting for my cab to take me in for a dead early.

1. Yes, NT staff are able to work OT as long as it is within the working time framework.

2. LU runs on OT, I must get 2 or 3 emails a day asking for availability, so there is plenty available.

3. OT is paid at 1¼ times normal rate.

Good luck on your CSA journey, definitely worth the wait.

Kind regards,

Markazz

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, especially whilst waiting for your cab for that “dead early” start! Really appreciate the information and the kind words. It’s reassuring to hear that the wait is worth it!

Out of curiosity, how early are we talking with the “dead early” starts?

Also, when you say OT is paid at 1¼ times the normal rate, do you happen to know what the current basic rate is for CSA?

Thanks again, and hope you had a good shift!

 

[markazz]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, especially whilst waiting for your cab for that “dead early” start! Really appreciate the information and the kind words. It’s reassuring to hear that the wait is worth it!

Out of curiosity, how early are we talking with the “dead early” starts?

Also, when you say OT is paid at 1¼ times the normal rate, do you happen to know what the current basic rate is for CSA?

Thanks again, and hope you had a good shift!

Dead early at my station is a 5.30 start.

Im afraid I don't know the hourly rate but you can probably roughly work it out using the annual salary and dividing by 52 for weekly and then 35 for hourly. (CSA1 is by 37.5 for hourly).

 

[bluegoblin7]

Dead early shifts can start as early as around 0415-0445 depending exactly on your station. Dead late shifts can finish 0115-0130. It does differ but these sorts of shift patterns are incredibly common in most LU grades. There is an extensive staff taxi network to support commuting to/from stations for extreme shifts.

The current hourly OT rate for CSA2 is £25.8663.

 

[markazz]

Dead early shifts can start as early as around 0415-0445 depending exactly on your station. Dead late shifts can finish 0115-0130. It does differ but these sorts of shift patterns are incredibly common in most LU grades. There is an extensive staff taxi network

The current hourly OT rate for CSA2 is £25.8663.

Thanks for adding a bit of detail.

 

[Nubois17]

@bluegoblin7 @markazz

Thanks for the info guys! Much appreciated!!

 

[GoldenChef]

hey all,

for new starters, how does it work with pro rata’d annual leave for the remainder of this year, after training is done?

 

[lb001]

hey all,

for new starters, how does it work with pro rata’d annual leave for the remainder of this year, after training is done?

you’ll start accruing it from day 1 of training, pro rata of 37 days per year, with the holiday year starting on the last sunday of february.

 

[Mawkie]

hey all,

for new starters, how does it work with pro rata’d annual leave for the remainder of this year, after training is done?

Worth mentioning too that pre-informed holidays are usually honoured for new starters, and accrued annual leave is usually taken by negotiation in your first year (subject to station annual leave rotation and business needs).

Once March comes around you will find your annual leave periods have been allocated and can plan ahead as usual.

 

[Barksdale]

Worth mentioning too that pre-informed holidays are usually honoured for new starters, and accrued annual leave is usually taken by negotiation in your first year (subject to station annual leave rotation and business needs).

Once March comes around you will find your annual leave periods have been allocated and can plan ahead as usual.

Bear in mind they’ll ask for proof of pre-booked leave so don’t lie about it or you’ll look silly

 

[heretohelp]

Bear in mind they’ll ask for proof of pre-booked leave so don’t lie about it or you’ll look silly

This is true, it does depend on the group you join though but be ready to provide evidence if they do ask

 

[GoldenChef]

i have no holidays booked, so I’m good for taking the annual leave that’s booked for me, i was just curious if i would be allocated any leave when training finishes, end of sept

 

[bluegoblin7]

i have no holidays booked, so I’m good for taking the annual leave that’s booked for me, i was just curious if i would be allocated any leave when training finishes, end of sept

Unlikely - and to be honest, I would recommend against taking any that soon. The classroom training is quite intensive, and getting stuck in on your station for a few weeks to consolidate that learning before taking leave is a very good idea.

If you don't have anything pre-booked you'll likely just get allocated stuff per the next available period, but it's also likely you'll have some odd days available anyway. There's no harm in looking at your diary and seeing if there's any days that you might quite like off, particularly around the end of the year...

Proof of pre-booked holidays is very easily challenged anyway to be honest, given it's entirely possible that you're having time off work without actually going anywhere.

 

[GoldenChef]

Unlikely - and to be honest, I would recommend against taking any that soon. The classroom training is quite intensive, and getting stuck in on your station for a few weeks to consolidate that learning before taking leave is a very good idea.

If you don't have anything pre-booked you'll likely just get allocated stuff per the next available period, but it's also likely you'll have some odd days available anyway. There's no harm in looking at your diary and seeing if there's any days that you might quite like off, particularly around the end of the year...

Proof of pre-booked holidays is very easily challenged anyway to be honest, given it's entirely possible that you're having time off work without actually going anywhere.

sorry, that’s what i meant, I don’t have anything booked, nor do i intend to, I had just thought the pro rata’d remaining annual leave would be rostered in somehow, as it’s something everyone would be entitled to.

 

[bluegoblin7]

sorry, that’s what i meant, I don’t have anything booked, nor do i intend to, I had just thought the pro rata’d remaining annual leave would be rostered in somehow, as it’s something everyone would be entitled to.

Generally yes, you'll pick up the leave in the period you're allocated, but the leave you have available (pro rata) may not necessarily match up with this (could be a few days more, could be a few days less). Particularly starting towards the end of the year there's a lot more flexibility than at the start...

 

[jimmycconway]

have you heard anything yet?

I'm still waiting for a date! A friend of mine called up as they are waiting too and they told me that there are no dates available at the moment. The patience is testing as hell at the moment (although I know it will be worth it in the end!)

 

[GoldenChef]

I'm still waiting for a date! A friend of mine called up as they are waiting too and they told me that there are no dates available at the moment. The patience is testing as hell at the moment (although I know it will be worth it in the end!)

oh no! hoping you get a date this year!!

 

[hydroman]

How long after OH did you get offered dates?

 

[GoldenChef]

How long after OH did you get offered dates?

i did alot of chasing. so I did OH in may and I start this month.

 

[hydroman]

i did alot of chasing. so I did OH in may and I start this month.

Good luck. I was trying to find more info on the national rail 75% that TfL subs. Does that count as benefit in kind? Do employees get taxed on that?

 

[Barksdale]

Good luck. I was trying to find more info on the national rail 75% that TfL subs. Does that count as benefit in kind? Do employees get taxed on that?

You get taxed on it so it ends up coming in at ~40%