Senior Water Engineer

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?  

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Join Our Team: 2x Senior Water Engineers (Water Management Team)

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

The Water Management Team plays a vital role in keeping the canal network operating safely and sustainably, ensuring a reliable water supply for navigation while protecting the natural environment. The Senior Water Engineer role is responsible for the strategic and operational management of water resources across the network, typically covering one of six regions in England and Wales, and supports safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible water delivery.

The role includes managing water resources, operating hydraulic structures to control flows, and delivering flood‑risk management measures. This work is supported by the use of telemetry and SCADA systems to monitor water levels, flows, and asset performance, enabling informed, data‑driven decisions.

Working closely with engineering, operational, and environmental teams, the role helps optimise asset performance, reduce water loss, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. A strong focus is placed on long‑term resilience, including assessing the impacts of climate change, drought, and extreme weather, to shape sustainable water management strategies across the network.

Working Hours & Location

This role follows 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. The vacancy will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required. Travel is a key component of the role undertaking site inspections and field-based work across the network. Occasional overnight stays may be required to facilitate site visits across geographically dispersed assets.

We have 2 vacancies in the north and south the concentration of works means our relevant regional hubs include Leeds, Burnley, Ellesmere Port, Newark, Gloucester, Birmingham, Hatton, Govilon, Little Venice (London), . See our network here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network). 

Role Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Asset Management feeders water control structures.
• Water Control.
• Flood Risk reduction.
• Water Management Projects delegated sponsor.
• Water management Volunteer support & management.
• SCADA managing water control telemetry.
• Support on wider Trust projects guidance on water control flood risk.
• Statutory Consultee in the LA planning process.
• Working with partner agencies and authorities representing the Trust.
• Water Abstraction and Licensing.

 

About You

The Senior Water Engineer (Water management) in addition to the technical parts of the role described above, will need to be a great communicator and able to establish and maintain relationships with both external parties to help them fulfil their visions, guiding them to deliver achievable plans, and also internal teams to gather support all whilst protecting the interests of the Trust and promoting our position.

Skills & Qualifications

Technical Skills

• A degree or master’s in Civil Engineering (BEng/MEng) or a water‑management‑related discipline, with evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status with a relevant professional body (or actively working towards)Extensive experience in civil engineering, ideally within the water or waterway environment, including flood risk management, drainage design, and the operation and maintenance of water‑control systems.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety, asset management, historic infrastructure, and the natural environment.
• A collaborative, solutions‑focused approach, with the ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams, stakeholders, contractors, and internal and external partners.
• Confidence in negotiation and decision‑making, with the ability to balance competing risks, priorities, and resources across multiple functions.

Qualifications

• A degree or master’s in Civil Engineering (BEng/MEng) or a water‑management‑related discipline, with evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Ideally, Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status with a relevant professional body (or actively working towards).

General Skills

• Experience working in diverse, multi‑disciplinary teams, with strong communication skills and the ability to present technical information to non‑technical audiences.
• Confidence in negotiation and decision‑making, with the ability to prioritise conflicting cross‑functional risks while supporting colleagues and balancing wider business needs.
• Experience managing workloads within a small team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital tools, with experience using GIS or mapping systems.
• A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle, as the role requires travel to sites not accessible by public transport.

Contact & Application

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.

What We Offer

In addition to your annual base salary of £44,750 - £50,750 we also offer Car Cash Allowance (£425 per month), 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

Our values

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.

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

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.

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

• Hiring Min Rate
• 44,750 GBP

• Hiring Max Rate
• 50,750 GBP