At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage water levels and ensure safe passage for boaters on the River Thames.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on providing excellent service at 45 lock and weir complexes.
- Benefits: Enjoy outdoor work, flexible hours, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a vital team maintaining waterways while engaging with the public.
- Qualifications: Strong customer focus, communication skills, and ability to work independently or in a team.
- Other info: Guaranteed interviews for veterans and candidates with disabilities who meet essential criteria.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Lock and Weir Keeper (Temporary Contract)
Contract: Temporary until December 2025
Locations: Reading and Oxon, Outer London and Surrey, Oxfordhire
We have an exciting opportunity for an energetic and confident individual to work outdoors in a customer-facing environment and contribute to the management of waterways activities on the River Thames. This role is ideal for someone with a diverse range of experience who enjoys hands-on work. The successful candidate must be available to work weekends as part of a rota system.
Key Responsibilities:
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Managing and regulating water levels
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Providing safe passage for boaters through the lock and overseeing activities around the lock site, associated structures, and reach
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Assisting colleagues and customers with local expertise and knowledge
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Maintaining lock buildings, facilities, and grounds to ensure a safe and clean environment
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Developing and maintaining strong health, safety, and wellbeing practices
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Delivering excellent customer service
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Liaising and working collaboratively with professional partners
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Ensuring efficient record-keeping and secure information storage
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Collecting customer payments, including license sales and tolls, and reconciling accounts
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Assisting with or managing incidents as needed
About the Team:
Our River Thames operations encompass 45 lock and weir complexes, with the primary aim of providing a first-class service to our customers. As a Lock and Weir Keeper, you will work alongside a dedicated team of Lock and Weir Keepers and Technical staff, reporting to the Team Leader and providing support to other teams.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
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Experience in taking responsibility for the safety of yourself and others
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Strong customer focus with excellent face-to-face and telephone communication skills
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Well-organised, methodical, and detail-oriented
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Ability to prioritise tasks and identify potential issues
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Results-driven with a strong commitment to delivering outcomes
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Proficiency in standard IT packages and ability to learn specialised systems
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A quick learner who can work independently as well as part of a team
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a vital team ensuring the smooth operation of the River Thames. If you enjoy working outdoors, engaging with the public, and playing a key role in maintaining our waterways, we would love to hear from you!
Brook Street is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.
As a Disability Confident Leader, and holder of the Gold Award status from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Brook Street, as a supplier to the Public Sector Resourcing Framework (PSR), will offer you a guaranteed interview with a PSR Sourcer.
Should you identify as a candidate with a disability and/or as a veteran or spouse/partner of military personnel and meet all the essential criteria for the role, we encourage you to reach out to us via the Brook Street website. Here you will find a link to register your interest and state the role that you are interested in. We are committed to engaging with you.
In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses/partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, Brook Street will interview the best candidates from within that group.
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Lock and Weir Keeper employer: Brook Street UK
Contact Detail:
Brook Street UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lock and Weir Keeper
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the River Thames and its lock systems. Understanding the specific challenges and operations of the waterways will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with local boating communities or forums. Networking with boaters can provide valuable insights into customer expectations and experiences, which will be beneficial when discussing customer service during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience in outdoor roles. Whether it's through volunteering or previous jobs, highlight any relevant experience that demonstrates your ability to work in a physical environment and manage safety effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your teamwork skills. Since you'll be working closely with other Lock and Weir Keepers, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lock and Weir Keeper
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and required skills. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in managing waterways, customer service, and safety.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous roles that involved outdoor work, customer interaction, or safety management. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to handle responsibilities similar to those of a Lock and Weir Keeper.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since this role requires excellent face-to-face and telephone communication skills, make sure to provide examples of how you've successfully communicated with customers or colleagues in past positions. This will help illustrate your strong customer focus.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread your CV and cover letter. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is clear and concise. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brook Street UK
✨Show Your Customer Service Skills
As a Lock and Weir Keeper, you'll be in a customer-facing role. Make sure to highlight your previous experience in customer service during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've successfully handled customer interactions, especially in challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Your Safety Awareness
Safety is paramount in this role. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of health and safety practices. You might want to mention any relevant training or experiences where you took responsibility for safety, ensuring both your own and others' wellbeing.
✨Emphasise Your Teamwork Abilities
This position requires collaboration with colleagues and other teams. Talk about your ability to work well in a team environment. Provide examples of how you've contributed to team success in past roles, particularly in outdoor or hands-on settings.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage tasks effectively. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios related to managing water levels or assisting boaters. Think through potential challenges and your approach to resolving them.