Job Description

Join Our Team: Waterway Operative – London & South East

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

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Join the Canal & River Trust as a Waterway Operative and play a vital role in maintaining and improving our beautiful waterways across the London & South East regions waterway network primarily focused on Regents Canal, Limehouse Cut, Hertford Union, Lower River Lee Navigation below Tottenham Locks and West India and Millwall Docks.\nThis 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. 

\n\nWorking Hours & Location:\n\n

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 Docklands E14 9ST traveling across the London & South East region, with occasional support in other areas.

\n\nKey Responsibilities\n\n

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• Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair of canal infrastructure.

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• Operate locks, bridges, and other waterway assets safely and efficiently.

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• Improve towpaths and waterside areas, including repairs and litter removal.

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• Deliver excellent customer service to visitors and boaters.

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• Work collaboratively with volunteers to achieve high-quality results.

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• Plan and prepare for tasks, ensuring correct tools and materials are available.

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• Uphold Canal & River Trust values and behaviours in all activities.

\n\n\nAbout you\n\n

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.

\n\nSkills & Qualifications\n\n

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• Strong attention to detail and pride in delivering high-quality work.

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• Excellent communication and customer service skills – you’ll be the face of the Trust on our waterways.

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• Basic literacy and numeracy.

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• Experience in manual, construction, or outdoor environments is advantageous.

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• Ability to work to schedules and plans effectively.

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• Basic IT skills – comfortable using mobile devices and apps.

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• Full and current UK driving licence.

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Contact & Application  

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

\n\nWhat We Offer\n\n

We offer a starting salary of £25,115 + £4,000 per annum Inner London Allowance 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.

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Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits

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INDHP