At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and improve beautiful waterways while providing excellent customer service.
- Company: Join the Canal & River Trust, dedicated to keeping our canals alive.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £26,315, competitive pension, and increasing holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Full training provided, with opportunities for progression and teamwork with volunteers.
- Why this job: Work outdoors, make a difference, and enjoy hands-on tasks in nature.
- Qualifications: Enjoy practical work, have good communication skills, and a valid UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 26315 - 26315 £ per year.
Join Our Team: Waterway Operative - North West. Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive. The Canal & River Trust invites you to work as a Waterway Operative, maintaining and improving our beautiful waterways across the North West, focusing mainly on the Lancaster Canal, Glasson Branch and Ribble Link. This is a hands‑on, outdoor role where you will carry out maintenance and repair works, operate locks and bridges, and provide excellent customer service to visitors.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows an annualised hours system, including 5 days out of 7 (could be weekends and statutory holidays). You will also be part of a 24‑hour operational standby team providing emergency cover. You will be based at our Lancaster Depot with travel across the North West region, with occasional 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
We are looking for someone who enjoys practical, physical work in all weathers, values nature and the environment, and wants to make a real difference to local communities. Full training is 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 will be the face of the Trust on our waterways.
- Basic literacy and numeracy.
- Experience in manual, construction, or outdoor environments – advantageous.
- Ability to work to schedules and plans effectively.
- Basic IT skills – comfortable using mobile devices and apps.
- Full and current manual UK driving licence.
What We Offer
Starting salary of £26,315, with opportunities for progression. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits.
Waterway Operative in Jarrow employer: Canal & River Trust
Join the Canal & River Trust as a Waterway Operative and immerse yourself in a rewarding outdoor role that not only enhances your career but also contributes to the preservation of our beautiful waterways in the North West. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer comprehensive training, a competitive salary starting at £26,315, and a generous benefits package including a pension scheme and increasing holiday entitlement, all within a supportive work culture that values teamwork and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waterway Operative in Jarrow
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like Canal & River Trust.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like Canal & River Trust and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Waterway Operative in Jarrow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Canal & River Trust.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. Canal & River Trust will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Waterway Operative at Canal & River Trust. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canal & River Trust
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Canal & River Trust, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show Canal & River Trust that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
