Salary: Market related
Reference: 260845
Waterway Operative
Wales & South West
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Join the Canal & River Trust as a Waterway Operative and play a vital role in maintaining and improving our beautiful waterways across the Wales & South West region. This is a hands-on, outdoor role where you'll carry out maintenance and repair works, operate locks and bridges, and provide excellent customer service to visitors.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows an annualised hours system, including 5 days out of 7 (could be weekends and statutory holidays). You will also be part of a 24-hour operational standby team providing emergency cover. You'll be based at our Gloucester office covering Wales and South Wales waterways.
Key Responsibilities
- Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair of canal infrastructure
-
Operate locks, bridges, and other waterway assets safely and efficiently
-
Improve towpaths and waterside areas, including repairs and litter removal
-
Deliver excellent customer service to visitors and boaters
-
Work collaboratively with volunteers to achieve high-quality results
-
Plan and prepare for tasks, ensuring correct tools and materials are available
-
Uphold Canal & River Trust values and behaviours in all activities
About you
If you enjoy practical, physical work in all weathers, value nature and the environment, and want to make a real difference to local communities, this could be the perfect role for you. Full training provided, including boat handling and asset operation.
Skills & Qualifications
- Strong attention to detail and pride in delivering high-quality work
-
Excellent communication and customer service skills - you'll be the face of the Trust on our waterways
-
Basic literacy and numeracy
-
Experience in manual, construction, or outdoor environments is advantageous
-
Ability to work to schedules and plans effectively
-
Basic IT skills - comfortable using mobile devices and apps
-
Full and current UK driving licence
Waterway Operative
ME13
