Craft Operative - Joiner

Canal & River Trust; Northwich; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Holiday entitlement

Employee benefits brochure

Job summary

Canal & River Trust in Northwich is seeking a Craft Operative to maintain and preserve our historic waterways. You will refurbish and repair canal infrastructure, read technical drawings, operate plant and tools, and work with volunteers to deliver sustainable maintenance across the network.

This role requires practical trades experience such as carpentry, bricklaying or stonework, a full UK driving licence, and readiness to travel regionally.

Qualifications

• Trade apprenticeship or equivalent qualification.
• Experience operating plant/equipment such as chainsaws and power tools.
• Experience in carpentry, metal fabrication, bricklaying or stonemasonry.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings.
• Full UK driving license is essential for regional travel.

Responsibilities

• Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair works to maximise network availability and preserve heritage.
• Use bricklaying or other trade skills to support refurbishment work.
• Safely operate machinery, plant, tools and equipment.
• Support inhouse maintenance and supervise volunteers where required.
• Travel regionally to meet priorities across the Northwest.

Skills

Trades experience

Read technical drawings

Driving licence (UK)

Operate plant/tools

Emergency response

Education

Apprenticeship / City & Guilds / NVQ Level 2

Tools

Chainsaws

Power tools

Forklift trucks

Job description

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive. As a Craft Operative, you will play a vital role in caring for our network, responding to incidents as they happen and ensuring our waterways remain safe and accessible for everyone. They act fast, think on their feet and take real pride in protecting the places people love. This is a mixed-skills role suited to someone with experience in one or more trades (e.g., carpentry, metal fabrication, bricklaying, or stonemasonry). You'll work flexibly, responding to emergencies as they occur across our network.

Working Hours & Travel

This role follows an annualized hours system, including weekends and bank holidays. You'll be based at our Northwich Lighterage Yard CW9 5JJ depot and travel across the Northwest region, with occasional support in other areas. Flexibility is essential, as emergency call-outs and rapidly changing priorities are a core part of the team's work.

Role Overview

As a Craft Operative, you will help improve, maintain and preserve our historic network. This includes refurbishing and repairing canal infrastructure such as locks, bridges, aqueducts, towpaths and associated equipment, always working to high safety, environmental and heritage standards.

• Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair works to maximize network availability, often involving heritage-sensitive solutions.
• Use bricklaying or other trade skills to support manufacture and refurbishment work to agreed standards and timescales.
• Safely operate machinery, plant, tools and equipment, and support inhouse maintenance where required.
• Maintain personal equipment, workshop tools and workspace to required standards.
• Respond promptly to customer queries and urgent situations.
• Ensure equipment, materials and PPE are appropriate for each task.
• Assist with measuring locks and lock gates, learning heritage craft skills alongside specialist teams.
• Read and interpret technical drawings to inform work.
• Work with and supervise volunteers to support sustainable maintenance delivery.
• Travel regionally and flexibly to meet nationally prioritized work demands.
• You must bring strong operative skills and be confident applying your trade knowledge in unique environments. While additional skills can be learned on the job, competence in at least one relevant discipline is essential to aid your colleagues.

Whether you come from a joinery background, your experience and enthusiasm will help you thrive in this role.

Skills & Qualifications

• Trade relevant apprenticeship or equivalent qualification (e.g., City & Guilds or NVQ Level 2).
• Experience operating plant/equipment (e.g., chainsaws, power tools, forklift trucks).
• Experience in a relevant discipline such as carpentry, metal fabrication, bricklaying or stonemasonry.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings.
• Full UK driving license (essential for regional response travel).

We offer a starting salary of £29,354 with opportunities for progression. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here