Waterway Operative - Falkirk Wheel

About Us

Scottish Canals are the custodians of the nation’s canal network and surrounding estates. Our vision is to invest in the canal network to generate lasting benefit for people and communities; celebrating their industrial heritage, ensuring they offer quality green and blue spaces for people and communities and contribute to Scotland’s resilience in tackling climate change. Our success is rooted in valuing the contributions of our entire team - we care, we create, and we collaborate to continue to deliver a whole range of activities and services, from boating, and mooring, paddling, walking and wheeling, to living and playing and improving what the canals have to offer to our visitors and communities. We also work collaboratively with our partners and stakeholders to contribute to a wealthier, fairer, greener and more resilient Scotland. As an employer we offer a truly unique opportunity to be part of our team, help us realise our vision and contribute to safeguarding our heritage and ensuring our canals flourish now and in the future.

About the Role

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Waterway Operative to join our Destinations team in Falkirk. You will be responsible for safe and timely operation of the Falkirk Wheel encompassing safety of all craft in the following areas: TFW basin, aqueduct, Roughcastle tunnel, top locks leading end of pontoon on the Union Canal and Jubilee lock leading to either end of the pontoons on the Forth and Clyde. The role will involve maintenance of the whole area of the grounds at the Falkirk Wheel. Keeping the site in a neat, tidy and well-kept condition to provide a clean and attractive place for our visitors to see and enjoy. You will also be responsible for observing public and colleague safety and managing Boat Traffic travelling through the Falkirk Wheel as well as the coordination of the site manpower to facilitate boat movements and site requirements and provide excellent levels of Customer Service.

The role is offered on a permanent basis, with a starting salary of £27,155 (Band B) plus an 11.25% Variable Hours allowance and £850 Outdoor Working allowance. Working hours are 35 hours per week on average, working a variable rota pattern. Scottish Canals offer a generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days, plus 10 public holidays, along with enhanced sick pay, discounted shopping vouchers, health cash plan and a contributory pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.

Primary responsibilities of the role:

• Comply with SC Health and Safety policy, report incidents, accident or near misses
• Work outside, as required to ensure the customer experience is maximised whilst maintaining a professional approach at all times
• Participate in out of hours on call rota.
• Carry out and record daily wheel pre-start and operational safety checks
• Monitor SCADA system and respond to alarms and emergencies.
• Manage water management system.
• Knowledge and capability to take on the duties of Wheel Operator at any time if required.
• Keep Duty Manager, Site Operations Co-ordinator and Control Room informed of all incidents
• Maintain the log sheet, and any other records as required for the day to day running of the Falkirk Wheel and site.
• Ensure accurate and concise information is delivered to the prescribed contact list.
• Maintain and manage Water Play Parks including the daily tasks that are required to maintain the safe running of the Plant Room and chemical dosing / management.
• Deal with Customer Service enquiries, including pump outs, fuelling, electricity meter reads, moorings etc.
• Liaise with other SC teams
• Maximise use of moorings for visiting and leisure craft
• Manage boat traffic through TFW in an effective and efficient manner whilst adhering to strict safety protocols
• Ensure that the surrounding waterway and destination is kept maintained in excellent condition and safe for all visitors
• Record, address and escalate water/navigation issues as required
• Support any inspections
• Report any failures, breaches, pollution or damage to the Site Operations Co-Ordinator, Duty Manager or control room.
• Others tasks required to assist the site and Falkirk Wheel visitor centre.

Qualifications and knowledge required:

• Risk Assessment & Method Statement Procedures including POWRA
• Grounds care experience
• Canal or waterways experience
• First Aid at Work
• Spraying pesticides (desirable)
• Valid driving licence
• Inland waterway helmsman certificate
• Pool plant operator (desirable)

Skills and experience required:

• Experience of working within relevant environment e.g. customer service
• Relevant heritage and environmental awareness
• Good numeracy and literacy skills
• Relevant valid competency for use of plant/tools and equipment to maintain the canal/river environment
• Basic DIY and maintenance

Qualities & abilities required:

• Assessment of required resources in advance of beginning task to ensure safety and maximum efficiency once on-the-job.
• On-the-job allocation of resources to the team in order to achieve the task.
• Judgement regarding the standard of the team’s works undertaken and whether it is completed to defined standards.
• Judgement regarding safe method of working and appropriateness of equipment and resources in line with SC minimum standards and procedures.
• Judgement regarding upward referral of issues to line management for further guidance.
• Recognising when immediate judgements need to be made to alter required approach where safety or customer service may be affected.
• Co-operate with and support team members and Management within the business unit e.g. assist other teams and Site Operations Team Co-Ordinator with the most appropriate method of achieving the best result for SC, prioritising and reallocating resources where appropriate.
• Co-operate with and support team members within TFW and SC outside of your main function e.g. Safety Adviser, Line Management, Lowlands Operations Supervisors in ensuring the application of safe working methods to protect self and others.
• Liaise with contractors, volunteer groups and third parties, taking a leading role and/or monitoring their work to ensure safe SC standards.
• Deal with enquiries from a wide range of visitors in a professional manner providing appropriate information and guidance.

Scottish Canals reserve the right to close this vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.