At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspect and assess earth structures to ensure safety and integrity across waterways.
- Company: Join the Canal & River Trust, dedicated to maintaining vital waterways.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, pension scheme, and increasing holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and strong career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on infrastructure safety while enjoying flexible remote work.
- Qualifications: Engineering qualification and experience in inspecting infrastructure required.
The predicted salary is between 37500 - 41500 € per year.
Join Our Team: Earth Structures Inspector (Geotechnical Engineer) Opportunity. Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
The geotechnical team at the Canal & River Trust are responsible for managing and maintaining the safety and integrity of earth structures across the network, such as embankments, cuttings, dams, and reservoirs. They assess ground conditions, monitor risks like landslides and erosion, and plan inspections, maintenance, and repairs to ensure the long-term stability of waterways infrastructure.
Supporting this, Earth Structures Inspectors carry out regular site inspections, identify defects or early signs of failure, record asset condition, and recommend remedial actions; playing a key role in risk management and ensuring assets remain safe and operational.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows a 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. This role will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required. Significant travel throughout the regional waterway network and the South, Midlands & Northwest in particular will also be expected to enable site visits and to conduct improvements. Occasional overnight stays may also be required. Therefore, a valid UK driving license and access to a vehicle are essential.
Role Overview
In this role, you will carry out scheduled and reactive inspections of the Trust’s earth structures to ensure safety, accuracy, and quality of records. You will assess inspection data to support risk-based decisions and help prioritise maintenance and repair work, considering safety, cost, environmental, and operational factors. You will also provide technical support across engineering teams, respond to enquiries, and build strong stakeholder relationships while representing the Trust professionally and promoting inclusive working practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Undertake scheduled Earth Structure inspections, ensuring completion in line with programme requirements, with data reviewed, approved, and recorded to the required standards and quality.
- Carry out reactive inspections in response to defects or environmental issues, ensuring outputs are delivered in the prescribed format and within appropriate timescales.
- Support the assessment of inspection outputs, contributing to informed recommendations and prioritisation of works, considering risk, cost, time, resources, heritage, environmental, and safety factors.
- Engage with customers while working on the network, promoting a positive image of the Trust, and escalating feedback, comments, and complaints to relevant teams.
- Support the development of maintenance, repair, and renewal programmes, ensuring alignment with statutory, technical, operational, and customer requirements.
- Provide technical support to wider engineering teams, third-party works, and externally funded projects as required.
- Respond to internal and external enquiries relating to assets, using appropriate information sources to provide efficient and cost-effective guidance.
- Build effective relationships with partners, regulators, and stakeholders to protect, maintain, and enhance service delivery and asset data quality.
- Promote diversity and inclusion across all aspects of work, challenging behaviours or practices that do not align with the Trust’s values.
About You
We are looking for a qualified engineering professional with experience in inspecting and assessing infrastructure, particularly earth structures and waterways. You will bring strong technical knowledge alongside practical experience to support safe, risk-based decision-making. You will also be a collaborative and effective communicator, able to engage a range of stakeholders and present technical information clearly while consistently delivering high standards of work.
Technical Requirements
- Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. ICE, GSL, IOMMM) at an appropriate level (e.g. TMICE) is desirable.
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
- A professional qualification in a relevant discipline, such as a Degree or HNC/D in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering Geology, or similar.
- Experience and knowledge of waterway infrastructure and earth structures.
- Proven experience in inspecting and/or delivering engineering activities.
- Practical experience in infrastructure risk assessment, desirable.
- Knowledge of historic infrastructure, desirable.
- Experience of engineering within a water environment, advantageous.
- Working knowledge of CAD for producing and editing 2D drawings, desirable.
General Requirements
- Experience of working collaboratively across teams, delivering consistent performance.
- A strong track record of delivering high standards of customer service.
- Ability to communicate effectively with both technical colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Ability to support wider business activities, balancing priorities and effectively coordinating resources where required.
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to non-technical audiences.
- A valid UK driving licence appropriate for the role.
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 £37,500 - £41,500, we also offer Car Cash Allowance (£390 per month), a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits.
Earth Structures Inspector (Geotechnical Engineer) employer: Canal & River Trust
At the Canal & River Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the safety and integrity of our waterways. Our Earth Structures Inspectors enjoy a supportive work culture that promotes collaboration and inclusivity, alongside opportunities for professional growth through ongoing training and development. With competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme and flexible working arrangements, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Earth Structures Inspector (Geotechnical Engineer)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the geotechnical field on LinkedIn or at industry events. Building connections can lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and understanding of earth structures. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role of an Earth Structures Inspector.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your soft skills! As an Earth Structures Inspector, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest job openings and updates directly from us.
We think you need these skills to ace Earth Structures Inspector (Geotechnical Engineer)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Earth Structures Inspector role. Highlight your experience with earth structures and waterways, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications or memberships!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves engaging with various stakeholders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your strong written communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to show us you can present technical info effectively.
Highlight Your Technical Knowledge:We want to see your technical expertise shine through! Mention any specific experience you have with inspecting infrastructure, risk assessment, or working within a water environment to make your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canal & River Trust
✨Know Your Earth Structures
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of earth structures and waterways. Understand the key responsibilities of an Earth Structures Inspector, such as assessing ground conditions and identifying defects. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to geotechnical engineering and infrastructure risk assessment. Review your past experiences and be ready to discuss specific projects or inspections you've conducted. Use examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to make risk-based decisions.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a collaborative communicator, you'll need to engage with various stakeholders. Prepare to demonstrate how you've effectively communicated technical information to non-technical audiences in the past. This could involve discussing how you’ve built relationships or handled customer feedback.
✨Understand the Trust's Values
Familiarise yourself with the Canal & River Trust's values, especially around diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to promoting these values in your work. Showing alignment with their mission will set you apart from other candidates.
