At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and repair waterways while providing excellent customer service.
- Company: Join the Canal & River Trust, dedicated to preserving our waterways.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for career progression and community volunteering.
- Why this job: Work outdoors, make a difference, and enjoy nature every day.
- Qualifications: Valid UK driving licence and practical skills preferred; training provided.
The predicted salary is between 25115 - 35161 £ per year.
Working outside, carrying out general maintenance and repair works to the waterway infrastructure. Provide customer service through operation of the Trust\'s assets (e.g. locks and bridges) in a safe and timely manner. Undertake key duties associated with the maintenance of the waterway and waterside e.g. towpath improvement work from repairs to litter removal. Work alongside volunteers to deliver high quality works.
Undertake work in a productive and efficient manner delivering the work to the correct standard and agreed programme. Assist in the planning of all work to ensure the correct equipment, materials and plant resources. Always display the Trust values and behaviours, linked to professionalism and inclusion.
Technical Requirements:
- A Valid UK driving licence (held ideally min 3 years), is essential for this role as you will be expected to drive company liveried vehicles.
- Practical skills and many years of working experience to offer, or you may just be starting out in your career and looking for a role which calls on your practical nature.
- Demonstrate great care in the quality and standard of your work.
- Be a good communicator and have excellent customer service awareness - you will be the face of the Canal & River Trust on our waterways and will handle all communication with respect.
- Basic literacy and numeracy skills (Maths and English GCSE or equivalent).
- Experience working in manual/construction/outdoor environments, desirable - paid work or as a volunteer (outdoors related, environmental related, customer service etc).
- Experience using of plant/tools and equipment beneficial - training will be given to use appropriate plant/tools to maintain the canal/river environment.
As an Operative most of your working time is spent in our unique and wonderful outdoor environment and your daily tasks will vary and will contribute to the maintenance and improvement of the Northwest region waterway network, primarily working in Greater Manchester on the Rochdale Canal (NW Section), Huddersfield Narrow Canal (Northwest section), Ashton Canal and the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal.
Our Operatives work an annualised hours system which includes working statutory holidays and weekends on a rota, you must be happy to work in an on call rota. You will also be working with other staff and volunteers, operatives to undertake maintenance and repair works, operate assets and providing information to customers, as directed by your Team Leader.
Flexibility is very important in order to be certain that we can respond to critical needs when they occur. Please only apply if you are happy to work on a rotating shift pattern, with some emergency call out expected.
Training will be provided to sail boats, use power tools and to operate our structures such as locks, bridges, and sluices, in order to perform within the role.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience:
- This is predominantly an outdoor role. We love the outdoors at Canal & River Trust, and it\'s so important that as a member of the Waterway Operative team you enjoy all weathers!
- Demonstrating pragmatism, your practical mind and approach will solve issues safely as and when they occur.
- Evidence that you can work or deliver activity to a plan/schedule (can be hourly/daily/weekly).
- Basic IT skills - comfortable with modern handheld mobile devices for making calls, inputting information, and use of mobile applications etc.
- Valid UK driving licence (held ideally min 3 years) as you will be expected to drive company liveried vehicles.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
What We Offer:
- All our waterway operatives step up their salary through a salary progression plan. Starting at £25,115.
- Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
- 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
- Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
- Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
- 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
- Free fishing facilities across our canal network.
Waterway Operative (Millbrook) in Flitwick employer: Canal & River Trust
At Canal & River Trust, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a unique opportunity to work outdoors while contributing to the maintenance and improvement of our beautiful waterways in Greater Manchester. Our supportive work culture fosters employee growth through training and development, alongside competitive benefits such as a salary progression plan, generous holiday allowance, and access to various employee perks. Join us to make a meaningful impact in your community while enjoying the great outdoors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waterway Operative (Millbrook) in Flitwick
✨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 (Millbrook) in Flitwick
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 (Millbrook) 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.
