At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage waterways, assist boaters, and maintain lock facilities while providing excellent customer service.
- Company: Join a dedicated team ensuring smooth operations on the River Thames.
- Benefits: Work outdoors, gain hands-on experience, and develop valuable skills.
- Other info: Flexible weekend shifts and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a vital team making a real difference in your community.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for customer service.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Overview
Lock and Weir Keeper (Temporary Contract)
Contract: Temporary until December 2025
Locations: Oxford to Swindon; Oxford to Reading; Surrey & Outer London
We have an exciting opportunity for an energetic and confident individual to work outdoors in a customer-facing environment and contribute to the management of waterways activities on the River Thames. This role is ideal for someone with a diverse range of experience who enjoys hands-on work. The successful candidate must be available to work weekends as part of a rota system.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing and regulating water levels
- Providing safe passage for boaters through the lock and overseeing activities around the lock site, associated structures, and reach
- Assisting colleagues and customers with local expertise and knowledge
- Maintaining lock buildings, facilities, and grounds to ensure a safe and clean environment
- Developing and maintaining strong health, safety, and wellbeing practices
- Delivering excellent customer service
- Liaising and working collaboratively with professional partners
- Ensuring efficient record-keeping and secure information storage
- Collecting customer payments, including license sales and tolls, and reconciling accounts
- Assisting with or managing incidents as needed
About The Team
Our River Thames operations encompass 45 lock and weir complexes, with the primary aim of providing a first-class service to our customers. As a Lock and Weir Keeper, you will work alongside a dedicated team of Lock and Weir Keepers and Technical staff, reporting to the Team Leader and providing support to other teams.
Knowledge, Skills, And Experience
- Experience in taking responsibility for the safety of yourself and others
- Strong customer focus with excellent face-to-face and telephone communication skills
- Well-organised, methodical, and detail-oriented
- Ability to prioritise tasks and identify potential issues
- Results-driven with a strong commitment to delivering outcomes
- Proficiency in standard IT packages and ability to learn specialised systems
- A quick learner who can work independently as well as part of a team
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a vital team ensuring the smooth operation of the River Thames. If you enjoy working outdoors, engaging with the public, and playing a key role in maintaining our waterways, we would love to hear from you!
Brook Street is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.
As a Disability Confident Leader, and holder of the Gold Award status from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Brook Street, as a supplier to the Public Sector Resourcing Framework (PSR), will offer you a guaranteed interview with a PSR Sourcer.
Should you identify as a candidate with a disability and/or as a veteran or spouse/partner of military personnel and meet all the essential criteria for the role, we encourage you to reach out to us via the Brook Street website. Here you will find a link to register your interest and state the role that you are interested in. We are committed to engaging with you.
In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses/partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, Brook Street will interview the best candidates from within that group.
Lock and Weir Keepers in City of London employer: Virtual Bridges
As a Lock and Weir Keeper, you will join a dedicated team committed to maintaining the beautiful waterways of the River Thames while enjoying a dynamic outdoor work environment. Our company fosters a strong culture of teamwork and customer service, offering opportunities for personal growth and development in a role that is both meaningful and rewarding. With a focus on health, safety, and wellbeing, we ensure our employees are supported and valued, making this an excellent place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lock and Weir Keepers in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the waterways! Familiarise yourself with the River Thames and its lock systems. This will not only help you in interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills. Since this role is all about engaging with the public, think of scenarios where you can demonstrate your communication skills and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current Lock and Weir Keepers or similar roles. They can provide insider tips and might even give you a heads-up on what to expect during the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to reach out directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Lock and Weir Keepers in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Outdoors:When writing your application, let us know why you love working outdoors! Share any experiences you've had that relate to managing waterways or engaging with the public. This role is all about being hands-on, so make sure your enthusiasm shines through.
Highlight Your Customer Service Skills:Since this position involves a lot of customer interaction, it's crucial to showcase your communication skills. Give examples of how you've provided excellent service in previous roles. We want to see that you can handle face-to-face interactions with confidence!
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:In your application, emphasise your ability to stay organised and manage multiple tasks. Mention any experience you have with record-keeping or safety practices, as these are key responsibilities for a Lock and Weir Keeper. We appreciate candidates who can keep things running smoothly!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed! Plus, it shows us that you're proactive and keen to join our team. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virtual Bridges
✨Know Your Waterways
Familiarise yourself with the River Thames and its lock systems. Understanding the key responsibilities of a Lock and Weir Keeper will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview. Be ready to discuss how you would manage water levels and ensure safe passage for boaters.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role is customer-facing, prepare examples of how you've delivered excellent customer service in the past. Think about situations where you’ve helped others or resolved issues, as this will highlight your strong communication skills and customer focus.
✨Demonstrate Safety Awareness
Safety is paramount in this role, so be prepared to talk about your experience with health and safety practices. Share specific instances where you took responsibility for the safety of yourself and others, showcasing your methodical and detail-oriented approach.
✨Be Ready for Teamwork Questions
This position requires collaboration with colleagues and partners. Think of examples that illustrate your ability to work well in a team, as well as times when you’ve taken the initiative independently. This will show that you can adapt to different working styles and contribute positively to the team.
