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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to maintain and improve our beautiful canal network.
- Company: Canal & River Trust, dedicated to preserving waterways for future generations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, great holiday entitlement, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while working outdoors and learning valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Operative skills required; joinery experience is a plus.
- Other info: Enjoy flexible travel across the East Midlands and work with passionate teams.
The predicted salary is between 28154 - 31392 £ per year.
Overview
Join to apply for the Craft Operative role at Canal & River Trust.
Base pay range and role details are provided by Canal & River Trust. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
We are looking for a Craft Operative (Mixed trade skills) to join our East Midlands team. See our canal network here: canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network.
Base pay range
We are looking for a Craft Operative for our waterway, tasked with helping us improve, maintain, and preserve our canal network for customers to enjoy today and in the future. Responsibilities include refurbishment or repair of canal infrastructure including locks, bridges, aqueducts, towpaths and related equipment, working to defined safety, environmental and heritage standards at all times.
The post holder will work an annualised hours system, including a rota that covers statutory holidays and weekends. Craft Operatives look after specific stretches of our regional waterways but may support work in other areas as required and may travel region-wide and occasionally work away from home in the opposing region. The successful candidate will be required to drive a fleet vehicle and have a valid full UK driving licence.
Location & coverage
Reporting to the base at Swarkestone, this role will involve regular travel along the regional canal network and may involve work in other areas of the East Midlands region. See our network here: canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers
Learn more about the canal you will be covering here: East Midlands Map
Skills, knowledge & experience
As a Craft Operative, you will play an important role improving, maintaining and preserving our waterways by efficiently maintaining locks and other assets along the local network in line with safety requirements and heritage standards. You will respond to business needs, enhance the reputation of the network, and support Canal & River Trust’s aims to improve safety and protect the heritage and integrity of the inland waterway network.
Our Craft Operatives perform a unique role; fitting new lock gates as they are replaced, refurbishing or repairing existing lock gates and associated equipment to ensure they are working efficiently and to defined standards. You will work with specialist teams and experts as part of multi-disciplinary teams to improve waterways and ensure our 200-year-old assets can be enjoyed for years to come.
Key responsibilities:
Responsibilities
- Work outside to carry out maintenance and repairs to waterway infrastructure to maximise network availability. Repairs may involve sensitive heritage or environmental considerations, which the role will need to be familiar with. Where required, complete repairs to the highest standard using relevant skills and experience.
- Apply joinery expertise to undertake manufacture and refurbishment within defined standards and programmes.
- Operate a variety of machinery, plant, tools and equipment in line with safety standards; support in-house maintenance where appropriate.
- Undertake general housekeeping of personal equipment, workshop equipment and workspace to defined standards.
- Provide timely responses to customers’ queries and requirements, including emergencies.
- Ensure all equipment (PPE, plant, materials, etc.) is appropriate for the task.
- Assist with measuring locks and lock gates to identify correct measurements for manufacture; learn this heritage skill alongside experienced specialists.
- Read and interpret technical drawings to translate into production.
- Work with and supervise volunteers to ensure sufficient resources and high volunteer satisfaction.
- Operate regionally with flexibility to deliver the nationally prioritised works programme; may involve travelling longer distances for repair work.
About you
Operative skills are a minimum requirement. You should be able to learn other skills that will be taught, with a background in the building trade or a specialist joinery background where measuring, cutting and joining is second nature.
Skills/Qualifications/Experience
- Apprenticeship or equivalent qualification (or experience), e.g. City & Guilds Level II, NVQ Level II
- Experience handling plant/equipment in group A (e.g. chainsaw, hand power tools, forklift)
- Experience working within a relevant discipline (e.g. Joinery)
- Experience reading technical drawings
- Full valid UK Driving Licence – able to travel across the region
If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk
What we offer
All Craft Operatives step up their salary through a salary progression plan, starting at £28,154.
In addition to salary, Canal & River Trust offers a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme, great holiday entitlement (increasing with years of service) and numerous other employee benefits, including salary sacrifice options. Details here: canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits.
- Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme (double your contribution to a maximum of 10%)
- 25 days paid holiday (plus Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years
- Free access to specialist counselling on health, financial, well-being and domestic matters
- Access to benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme
- 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum
- Free fishing facilities across our canal network
Seniority level
- Not Applicable
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Other
Industries
- Civic and Social Organizations
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Craft Operative employer: Canal & River Trust
Contact Detail:
Canal & River Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Craft Operative
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Canal & River Trust! Familiarise yourself with their projects and values. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your passion for preserving our waterways.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Craft Operatives on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips and maybe even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to craft skills and safety standards. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your expertise!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Canal & River Trust team.
We think you need these skills to ace Craft Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experience in your application. We want to see how your background in the building trade or joinery can contribute to maintaining our waterways!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to the Craft Operative role by mentioning specific responsibilities from the job description that excite you. This shows us you’re genuinely interested.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your experience and qualifications shine without unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll find all the info you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canal & River Trust
✨Know Your Craft
Make sure you brush up on your practical skills and knowledge related to the role. Familiarise yourself with the specific tasks a Craft Operative performs, like refurbishing lock gates or operating machinery. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Understand the Heritage
Since this role involves working with sensitive heritage and environmental considerations, do some research on the Canal & River Trust's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to preserving the canal network while ensuring safety and efficiency in your work.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This position requires working as part of multi-disciplinary teams and supervising volunteers. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with others or led a team. Highlighting your teamwork skills will demonstrate that you can fit into their culture.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and technical knowledge. You might be asked how you would handle specific repair scenarios or interpret technical drawings. Practising these types of questions will help you feel more confident during the interview.
