Construction Joiner/Carpenter - Craft Operative in Coventry

Energy Jobline ZR; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Craft Operative (Joiner/Carpenter all-rounder) for outdoor maintenance of waterways in Coventry and surrounding areas. The role involves repairing canal infrastructure and leading volunteer teams. Candidates should have joinery experience, a relevant qualification, and the ability to operate various tools. Competitive salary of £28,154 with progression plans and benefits included.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Generous holiday entitlement

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Operative skills are a minimum requirement.
• Background in joinery or carpentry preferred.
• Full valid UK driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair waterways infrastructure.
• Participate in refurbishment or repair of canal infrastructure.
• Lead volunteers in delivering high-quality works.

Skills

Joinery skills

Carpentry skills

Ability to learn additional skills

Plant/equipment handling

Reading technical drawings

Education

City & Guilds Level II or equivalent

Tools

Chainsaws

Hand power tools

Forklift trucks

Job description

Energy Jobline is the largest and fastest growing global Energy Job Board and Energy Hub, reaching over 7 million energy professionals worldwide. We focus on oil & gas, renewables, engineering, power, and nuclear markets as well as emerging technologies such as EV, battery, and fusion.

Job Description

Craft Operative (Joiner/Carpenter all-rounder)

Location & Coverage

Administratively based at Fradley Junction, this role requires regular travel across the West Midlands region and support of other regions when needed. The majority of the work is concentrated south of Fradley Junction in Litchfield, Birmingham, Coventry, and Leamington Spa, covering the Birmingham Canal Navigations, Coventry Canal, Oxford Canal, Upper Trent, and others.

About the Role

This is a predominantly outdoor position that involves maintaining and preserving the waterway network. You will participate in the refurbishment or repair of canal infrastructure, including locks, bridges, aqueducts, towpaths, and associated equipment, while working to defined safety, environmental, and heritage standards at all times.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out maintenance and repair works to waterway infrastructure to maximise network availability.
• Undertake key duties associated with the maintenance of the waterway and waterside, such as towpath improvement work.
• Protect the natural and historic environment by ensuring all works consider heritage and environmental impact.
• Provide a first level of response for reactive works to ensure customer safety and network availability, participating in an on‑call rota as required.
• Work alongside and lead volunteers to deliver high quality works and maintain volunteer satisfaction.
• Support asset inspections, identify and report any structure failures, breaches, damage or pollution incidents.
• Undertake work in a productive and efficient manner, delivering to the required standard and agreed programme.
• Assist in the planning of all work to ensure the correct equipment, materials and plant resources are available.
• Always display the Trust values and behaviours, linked to professionalism.

• Use joiner/carpenter expertise to undertake manufacture and refurbishment within a timely manner, adhering to defined standards and agreed programmes.
• Operate a variety of machinery, plant, tools and other equipment in accordance with safety standards and support in‑house maintenance where appropriate.
• Carry out general housekeeping of personal equipment, workshop equipment and workspace, maintaining all to defined standards.
• Respond to customers’ queries and requirements, including emergency responses.
• Ensure all equipment (PPE, plant, materials etc) is appropriate for the task.
• Assist in measuring locks and lock gates to determine correct measurements for manufacture, learning this heritage skill alongside an experienced team.
• Interpret technical drawings to translate them into production work.
• Work alongside and supervise volunteers to maintain sufficient resources and high volunteer satisfaction.
• Operate regionally with flexibility to deliver the national works programme, including occasional travel to other sites.

About You

Operative skills are a minimum requirement. A background in joinery or carpentry is preferred, with the ability to learn additional skills as needed. You must possess:

• City & Guilds Level II or equivalent qualification, or relevant experience.
• Experience handling plant/equipment in Group A, such as chainsaws, hand power tools, and forklift trucks.
• Experience in joinery or carpentry and reading technical drawings.
• Full valid UK driving licence.

If you have any questions about the role please contact [e-mail].

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 Craft Operatives step up their salary through a progression plan, starting at £28,154. The Canal & River Trust offers a competitive contributory DC pension scheme, generous holiday entitlement that increases with service, and a range of employee benefits including salary sacrifice schemes. For more information, visit the Trust’s benefits page.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us.

If you are interested in applying for this job please press the Apply button and follow the application process. Energy Jobline wishes you the very best of luck in your next career move.