Seasonal Waterway Operatives

Job Title: Seasonal Waterway Operatives

Advertised Salary: £25,115 pro rata + benefits.

Working Hours: Annualised hours contract (up to 50 hours per week) - rota agreed in advance for season. 

The Canal & River Trust is one of the UK’s largest charities, we maintain 2,000 miles of historic canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs, along with museums, archives and the country’s third largest collection of protected historic buildings – preserving them for future generations.

We are currently seeking Waterway Operatives to provide support on the River Severn from Stourport to Tewkesbury and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal from Gloucester to Purton during our busy seasonal period starting April - 31st October 2025.

The post holder will be required to work an annualised hour’s system which includes working any 5 days out of 7 including statutory holidays.  Seasonal employees will work to an annualised hours rota, details of which will be discussed at interview. A shift is typically 10 hours per day between 08:00 – 18:00.

The role involves promoting a safe and secure customer experience on the waterways, and delivering the general works programme in order to enhance the reputation of the network as a valued national asset. You will be supporting Canal & River Trust’s aims to improve safety and increase the number of people using the waterways whilst protecting the heritage and integrity of the inland waterway network. Full training will be provided.

You will be required to work in a variety of locations depending on the Trust’s needs. Either between Stourport to Tewkesbury or Gloucester to Purton. Each structure has a bridge hut which includes welfare facilities.

You would contribute to the maintenance, conservation and improvement of the business unit’s waterway network for local communities and visitors to enjoy. Working efficiently to defined standards the role helps to create a safe, secure and vibrant waterway network where visitors are delighted with the quality of their experience.

Location & coverage

Click this link to view:Location of Canal Bridges & River Locks

or copy/paste to view in your browser: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=13SZrWJD-VTxLfkHpjonx_04L0VPhMcs&ll=52.029691400138404%2C-2.311692999999997&z=9 

Reporting to a base in either the River section or Canal section.  Relevant locations Tewksbury, Worcester, Stroud & Dursley, Gloucester

Occasionally you may also be required to work in other areas of the Wales & South West.

This is predominantly an outdoor role.  We love the outdoors at Canal & River Trust, and it's so important that as a member of the Waterway Operative team you enjoy all weathers!  Call outs, repairs, vegetation clearance and assisting the general public & towpath and waterway users doesn't only happen on the sunny days, so rain and cold is all part of the experience.  

Working in and around our canals, operating locks, boats, bridges and weirs, your role will be to provide excellent service to a variety of customers and visitors with the Safety of yourself and colleagues and all who use our waterways at the forefront of your mind. Demonstrating pragmatism, your practical mind and approach will solve issues safely as and when they occur. 

As a Bridge Keeper or Lock Keeper the role will include;

• Customer service – assisting boaters and canal users to safely and enjoyably experience the network.
• Working on your own for long periods (with remote support) and potentially assisting volunteer groups situated in the area around your base.
• Operating different structures to include electric and hand wound bridges as well as river locks.
• General site maintenance- greasing, painting, grass cutting, keeping the area around the bridge hut and towpath tidy.
• Working safely to include completion of paperwork and following safe systems of work.

Responsibilities:

• Working outside, carry out maintenance and repair works to the waterway infrastructure, to maximise network availability.
• Provide customer service through operation of the Trust’s assets (e.g. locks and bridges) in a safe and timely manner.
• Undertake key duties associated with the maintenance of the waterway and waterside e.g. towpath improvement work from repairs to litter removal.
• To protect the natural and historic environment associated with the waterways by ensuring their consideration during all works.
• Provide a first level of response for reactive works to ensure the safety of customers and the availability of the network, participating in an on-call rota as required.
• Work alongside and lead volunteers, to deliver high quality works, maintaining and building on our high levels of volunteer satisfaction.
• Support asset inspections, identify and report any structure failures, breaches, damage or pollution incidents to Area Operations Manager or Engineers.
• Undertake work in a productive and efficient manner delivering the work to the correct standard and agreed programme.
• Assist in the planning of all work to ensure the correct equipment, materials and plant resources.
• Always display the Trust values and behaviours, linked to professionalism and inclusion. 

About you

It is essential that our new team members can settle in and enjoy the varied work we perform, so you really must love physical outdoor work all year around, and have a genuine appreciation for respecting the needs of nature, environment and our millions of waterway visitors.  Our waterways are not just for short visits by day users or holidaymakers, thousands of community members live on our boats all year and you will be playing a role in caring for their home, their space.

You might have practical skills and many years of working experience to offer, or you may just be starting out in your career and looking for a role which calls on your practical nature.  You don't need to be an expert in any field, but you will be able to demonstrate that you hold the values and behaviours that ensure our customers and visitors know we care.

Technical: 

• You will demonstrate great care in the quality and standard of your work. 
• You will be a good communicator and have excellent customer service awareness - you will be the face of the Canal & River Trust on our waterways and will handle all communication with respect. 
• Basic literacy and numeracy skills (Maths and English GCSE or equivalent).
• Experience working in manual/construction/outdoor environments, desirable - paid work or as a volunteer (outdoors related, environmental related, customer service etc).
• Experience using of plant/tools and equipment beneficial - training will be given to use appropriate plant/tools to maintain the canal/river environment.

General:

• Can work alone on occasions, however thrives as part of a team to deliver a common goal.
• Evidence that you can work or deliver activity to a plan/schedule (can be hourly/daily/weekly). 
• Basic IT skills - comfortable with modern handheld mobile devices for making calls, inputting information, and use of mobile applications etc.
• Valid UK driving licence (held ideally min 3 years)  as you will be expected to drive company liveried vehicles from time to time.

To apply:

Click on the "Apply for this job" button and follow the process - complete the application form & upload current CV.

If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

All our waterway operatives step up their salary through a salary progression plan. Salary £25,115 pro rata.

Further to salary offered, the Canal & River Trust offers a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, great holiday entitlement (increasing with years of service) and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits, all of which can be found here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits). 

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to preserve our heritage for future generations. Come and share your passion and knowledge with a team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us