Job Description

Join Our Team: Volunteering Leader (Enfield and surrounding waterways (Lee & Stort))

We’re excited to welcome a new Volunteering Leader at our London & South East location

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

Working Hours & Location 

This role follows a 37 hours, over a 7 day working pattern. The post holder will also be required to work an annualised hours system which includes working any 5 days out of 7 including statutory holidays. They will also be part of a 24-hour operational standby team responsible for providing emergency cover for the waterway.

On-call responsibilityVolunteer Leaders take part in an on-call rota alongside other Canal & River Trust colleagues:•    Approximately 1 week in every 5•    Availability from 4:00pm to 8:00am on weekdays, plus the full weekend•    A Trust vehicle will be taken home during on-call periods to respond to callouts

The Volunteering Leader will be based at Enfield Lock, Ordnance Road, Enfield EN3 6JG. This role involves travel between sites and includes use of a Trust vehicle.

Role Overview

We’re looking for practical, motivated Volunteer Leaders to support our Operations team in keeping the waterways around the upper Lee navigation and the River Lee open, safe and clean.

This is a hands-on, operational role where you’ll lead and support groups of volunteers to carry out essential maintenance and improvement tasks along the canal network. You’ll work closely with our Operations staff, sometimes alongside them, to identify issues and organise volunteer activity to resolve them.

If you enjoy working outdoors, leading people, and making a visible difference to local waterways, this could be a very rewarding role.

Key Accountabilities:

As a Volunteer Leader, you will:•    Work closely with the Operations team to identify where support is needed•    Recruit and organise volunteers to help resolve operational issues•    Ensure volunteers are trained, supported and able to work safely•    Plan and lead volunteer groups to carry out practical maintenance tasks•    Deliver work that supports our purpose: Open, Safe & Clean waterways and towpathsTypical activities include:•    Painting and site improvements•    Fly-tipping and litter removal•    Vegetation clearance•    Lock maintenance (planned preventative maintenance)•    Minor repairs and hole filling•    Water control tasks

Please note: This is a hands‑on operational maintenance role. While you’ll be working in outdoor environments, the position does not involve gardening, planting projects, or creating habitats such as wildflower areas, planters, or tree planting.

About you

We’re seeking an organised, proactive, and engaging Volunteering Lead to work closely with our Area Operations Manager. In this role, you’ll support and guide a growing community of dedicated volunteers, as well as our internal team, all working together to protect, maintain, and enhance the environment and heritage of our local waterways for residents and visitors to enjoy.

You’ll be confident handling day‑to‑day administration and comfortable leading, motivating, and supporting volunteer groups. A strong focus on safety and a responsible approach are essential.

It would be beneficial if you have experience in:

• Health & Safety processes, including risk assessments and method statements
• Safeguarding
• Practical or maintenance work
• Volunteer coordination or team leadership

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience of working within relevant environment e.g. volunteering, environmental works, customer service operations or maintenance.
• Experience of leading a small team
• Great organisation and prioritising skills
• Effective and engaging communication skills
• Computer literate – with good knowledge of Microsoft Office package
• You will need to be self-motivated, able to work flexible hours to meet volunteering and business needs and communicate well with customers, volunteers and staff at all levels.
• Full UK Manual Driving License - Essential

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 an annual salary of £28,470 + £4,000 per annum Inner London Allowance. xbpsjku 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:   

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