Waterway Operative

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: Waterway Operative – Stoke & Staffordshire

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

Join the Canal & River Trust as a Waterway Operative and play a vital role in maintaining and improving our beautiful waterways across the West Midlands regions waterway network primarily focused on Trent & Mersey, Coventry and North Oxford Navigations. This is a hands-on, outdoor role where you’ll carry out maintenance and repair works, operate locks and bridges, work with Volunteers and provide excellent customer service to visitors. This role follows an annualised hours system, including 5 days out of 7 (including weekends and statutory holidays). You will also be part of a 24-hour operational standby team providing emergency cover. You’ll be based at Fradley depot traveling across Trent & Mersey, Coventry and North Oxford Canals with occasional support in other areas.

Working Hours & Location  

This role follows an annualised hours system, including 5 days out of 7 (including weekends and statutory holidays). You will also be part of a 24-hour operational standby team providing emergency cover. You’ll be based at Fenton Business Park ST4 4LZ covering Stoke and Stafford - Trent & Mersey (Part), Caldon and parts of the Staffs & Worcester canal.

Occasional you will support in other areas.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair of canal infrastructure.
• Operate locks, bridges, and other waterway assets safely and efficiently.
• Improve towpaths and waterside areas, including repairs and litter removal.
• Deliver excellent customer service to visitors and boaters.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers to achieve high-quality results.
• Plan and prepare for tasks, ensuring correct tools and materials are available.
• Uphold Canal & River Trust values and behaviours in all activities.

About you

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.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and pride in delivering high-quality work.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills – you’ll be the face of the Trust on our waterways.
• Basic literacy and numeracy.
• Experience in manual, construction, or outdoor environments is advantageous.
• Ability to work to schedules and plans effectively.
• Basic IT skills – comfortable using mobile devices and apps.
• Full and current UK driving licence.

 

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

We offer a starting salary of £26,315 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.

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

#INDLP

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

Hourly

Hiring Min Rate

26,315 GBP

Hiring Max Rate

26,315 GBP