Job Description

Join Our Team: Seasonal Waterway Operative

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive. 

We are currently seeking Seasonal lock keepers  to provide support on the Weaver navigation during our busy seasonal period starting 1st April and ending 31st October 2026. 

Working Hours & Location  We currently have one vacancy following an annualised hours system, working a 5 days out of 7 working pattern across all locks on the Weaver navigation and based at our Lighterage Yard Depot, Chester Way , Northwich, CW9 5JJ.

Role Overview  

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 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. 

Key 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.  

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 as you will be expected to drive company liveried vehicles from time to time. 

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. xbpsjku  

Contact & Application  

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at   We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates. 

What We Offer  

We offer a starting annual salary of £25,115.For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.  

Learn more:  

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