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Operations Team Leader

Job Description

About the Trust

We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?

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

notinvolve 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

What We Offer

We offer an annual salary of £28,470 + £4,000 per annum Inner London Allowance. 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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Our values

All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.

At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception - are made by our hiring managers.

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

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

Job Details

Pay Type: Salary

Employment Indicator: Funded

Travel Required: Yes

Hiring Min Rate: 32,470 GBP

Hiring Max Rate: 32,470 GBP

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