Join Our Team: Waterway Operative – West Midlands - Fixed term contract until September 2028
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 West Midlands regions waterway network primarily focused on the Llangollen, Montgomery and Shropshire Union canals. This is a hands-on, outdoor role where you’ll carry out maintenance and repair works, operate locks, work with volunteers and provide excellent customer service to visitors. This role follows an annualised hours system, including 5 days out of 7 (which 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 Ellesmere Yard depot in Shropshire.
Key Responsibilities
- Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair of canal infrastructure.
- Monitor and maintain water levels.
- 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.
- Operate locks safely and efficiently.
- 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.
What We Offer
We offer a starting salary of £26,315 with opportunities for progression. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.
Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits
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